The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-03-12
There Was Great Opposition To the
Bill on the Part OF Indianap-
olis Citizens.
AGAINST THE JUDGES BILL
THE GOVERNOR EXERCISES HIS
PRERoGATIvE ON THAT MEASURE.
He Gives His Reasons for vetoing the
BiIl-Wood Medical BiIl-0ther
Matters.

The chief interest in the closing hours
CT the Legislature centered around the re-
ports made TO both houses Of the action OF
the Governor on the different measures
which he yet had under consideration.
There was much curiosity as to what the
Governor would do with the indianapolis
hremen's bill. This was one OF the last
bills reported before final adjournment.
The Governor returned the bin TO ths
House with his veto and I'm doing so gave
the following reasons:
The paramount feature OF this bill is a
provision seeking 10 Increase the salaries
paid employees in the fire department OF
the city Of indianapolis, and TO regulate
the same by statutory enactment.
This proposition is a palpabe violation
ernment is now operated, and is, in other
essential features, radical departure from
correct principles.
1T is apparent that the only object OF
this bill is TO have the State assume a
burden which properly belongs TO the city.
and for which the city is evidently disin-
clined to become responsible, either in a
financial or moral sense.
THE city controller is authority for the
statement that the amount this bill would
odu TO the salary budget of the city 10
approximately $4,000 per annum. The mu-
nicipal debt of indianapolis has for sew
eral years past been rapidly increasing,
limit. The issuing OF bonds, the question:
able practice OF transferring money from
one fund TO another, and other financial
makeshifts, due to the exigencies OF urgent
necessities, furnish abundant and indisput-
able evidence of the city's inability TO
meet additional obligations in the way OF
expenditures on any account However re-
gretable these conditions. the State Is I'm
no wise responsible for their existence. nor
can 1t consistently grant the aid sought by
the bill.
Labor is badge of honor, but labor
interests are not well subserved when leg
islation Is sought which discriminates IN
favor of one class as against another. As
Justice Is tempered with mercy, so should
sentiment be tempered with logic, with an
earnest and reverent regard for the equal
ity OF all men in the eyes Of the law
The firemen's bill was introduced oy
Representative Clarke. of Marion county.
and was known as House bill No 3S4. Ii
provided for an increase in the salaries
OF the city firemen through the grade sys-
tenn, and also increased the salaries of
the members Of the Board of Safety. The
firemen naturally were anxious to have tho
bill go through, and a number of labor
leaders of the city took an active inter-
est in the bill. On the other hand there
appeared TO be a strong sentiment amorg
business men against the bill, and IL is
announced that a city official high in power
wrote the Governor a personal letter ad-
vising him to veto the bill
JUDGES BILL VETOED.
Another important measure vetoed by
the Governor and returned 10 the House
last night was House bill No. 465. which
increased the salaries Of the judges Of the
Supreme and Appellate Courts. This bill
was introduced by Representative Bonham.
and was originally known as a measure TO
equalize the salaries OF State officers. It
was amended. however. so that IL related
only TO supreme and appellate judges. and
in this shape passed both houses. In
giving his disapproval of the bill the Gov
ernor said:
"The Legislature OF 1899 very wisely Great
ed a fee and salary commission for the
express purpose OF considering the question
of fees and salaries of county and State Of
fcers, and collecting data pertaining 20
the subject This commission made its
port to the present Legislature, embOdying
with elaborate detail every phase OF the
matter, and accompanying its report with
a bill I'm its relation 10 State and county Of
ficers that covered its idea OF fair just
and equitable compensation Tor the serv-
ices performed and responsibilities dis
charged. The Legislature IN it's wisdom
did not approve by statute OF the report. OF
the recommendations OF the fee and salary
commission.
UNLESS there is very manifest injus-
tice, l do not think IL advisable TO enact
special legislation for any department, or
reason / do not think any change OF
salary should be made during the incum-
bency OF an official / cannot. consistent
with my ideas OF a uniformity OF justice.
approve OF a measure that would include
an increase OF salary for a higher grade
Of officials. and disapprove OF kindred
measure looking 10 the same end Tor OF
ficials OF less responsible duties In different
counties OF the State.
.'Besides. il is a matter OF general knowl.
edge that the work OF the Supreme Court
has been very greatly relieved by the es-
tablishment of Appellate Court. and
I'm the case OF the latter the present Legls-
lature has sought 10 relieve It's labors by
adding additional Judge 10 the bench
IL Is my purpose 70 urge upon the next
Legislature the duty OF taking up the
question OF fees ana salaries IN It's rela-
recommend equalizatiOns and cure what
ever injustice there may be. and until
this work can be done In thorough.
equitable and practical way by the Leeis-
lature. 1 cannot my way clear To ap-
proving special bills carrying increased
salaries from that provided by the Legisla-
ture of 1885. AT the proper time and by
proper legislation / shall favor such COM
pensatiOns as will be both liberal and am.
pie for the competency dignity and re-
be provided for by legislative enactment.
WOOD MEDICAL BILL
The Governor did not veto the Wood
medical bill. neither did he sign Il. The
bill defines the practice OF medicine and
regulates IL. When the measure came I'd
I'm the House there attempt &c
strike oU, Section 3. but the attempt
failed. The Christian Scientists made q
hard hght against the bill on account %
this section. Governor Durbin sent the
bnl TO the secretary of state without his
signature. SO that IL becomes a law the