The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-21
HOTEL LOBBY GLEANINGS
REPRESENTATIVES, Err
TALKS OF LEGISLATION.
His Bill Reducing Representation in
Southern states-FOrmer senator
Wilson-LObby Gossip.

Representative E. D. ~Crumpacker, of the
Tenth district. arrived in the city yesterday
morning. He left Washington last Monday
and Will be in Indiana until after the holi-
days. Mr.. C~rumpacker returned to Val
paraiso last night, but will return to In
dianapolis in time for the Republican love
feast, 10 be held at the Denison Hotel on
Dec. 81. In regard to the present session of
Congress Mr.. Crumpacker said:
The Fifty-seventh Congress opened very
auspiciOusly, and members from all parts
OF the country were in a spirit of hopeful
ness and seemed TO be impressed with the
necessity Of devoting themselves to the pub
lie business. Judging from prevailing con-
ditions, there will be less of pickering and
less time wasted this session than usual.
The general belief is that the administra-
ton and Congress will act in harmony"
Mr.. Crumpacker was asked about the
status of his bill reducing the representa-
ton from certain Southern States. THE
bill | introduced is with the on
census" he said, and its fate will doubt
less be determined by a caucus of the Re
publican members of the House. | have
a petition for a caucus signed by three or
four times the requisite number, which
recess. The petition was signed by every
member who had an opportunity to sign,
except two. Mr.. Moody, of Massachusetts,
introduced a resolution declaring the seats
OF the entire delegation from Louisiana
vacant on the ground that the grandfather
clause" contained in the Constitution Of
that State is invalid as a paipable evasion
OF the fifteenth amendment. General Dick,
of Ohio, introduced a resolution asking for
an investigation of the whole question,
with a view of taking some action in rela-
ton to il. and it was thought best to have
a Republican caucus and submit these
various propositions and abide by the judg-
ment of the caucus. The sentiment in favor
of some decisive action looking toward a
correction of abuses of the elective fran
chises in the South is quite general among
Republican members of the House. What
particular form ii may assume in the eau
Gus / am unable to predict, but my inn
preston is that the majority will determine
TO enforce the provisions of the fourteenth
amendment of the Constitution, which pro-
vides for a reduction of representation
where any considerable number of citizens
are disfranchised by operation of State
law. The bill 1 introduced is intended to
amend Sections l and 2 of the general ap-
portionment law passed by the last Con-
gress. 1t reduces the representation in the
State Of Alabama, 8; Florida. l; Louisiana.
3; Mississippi, 2; North Carolina, 3, and
South Carolina, 2. a total reduction of four
teen. 1t is based upon the reports of illit-
eracy taken from the twelfth census and
is strictly in accordance with the four
teenth amendment. There is no guess work
about ii. The reduction is based upon a
mathematical certainty, and no other State
in the country should suffer a reduction by
the operation of the Constitution, because
no other has. by the necessary effect of the
State law, disfranchised a sufficient num-
Der Of citizens TO cost it a representative.
My bill is strictly. in accordance with the
peremptory requirements of the Constt-
tuition, and IL Congress is to respect that
instrument at all l do not see how it can
refuse to pass the measure"
Mr.. C~rumpacker says his bill providing
for a monument or memorial temple on the
Tippecanoe battle-ground is in the hands
of the committee on library, and will doubt
less be reported favorably. The bill ere
ates a commission, to be appointed by the
secretary of war, to m a suitable
structure in honor of General Harrison and
the American soldiers who fought the battle
of Tippecanoe. The commission is given
discretion to recommend a monument or
memorial temple. which may be used as a
public depository of Indian relics. Mr..
~Crumpacker believes II is an exceptionally
meritorious measure and will doubtless re-
ceive favorable consideration at the hands
of the committee.
On the question of the Philippine tariff
Mr.. Crumpacker said: 1.-The report that /
was against the Philippine tariff bill was
erroneous and unauthorized. i was called
home to meet an engagement made before
the opening of the session, but paired In
favor of the bill. If l had remained at
Washington 1 would have voted for the
meas sure