The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-02-28

to concurring in the minority report. Tho
ayes and noes were called for, and at this
point the confusion began. Several or the
interested senator's. who were gathered
about the desk of the roll clerk peering
over his shoulders TO ascertain the con-
ditfon of the vote as it progressed. discov-
cred that Ii had resulted in a tie Before
this could be announced Senator Wood de-
manded that the absentees be called. Sem
members not voting. Both names were
called, but there was no response In either
case, and the excitement became more In
after for for several
seconds. moved that the absentees be ex-
cused from voting. There were cries of
MOI and yes from various parts OF the
chamber, and some of the senator's were
talking loudly that the chair was com
PEELED to rap for order repeatedly before
Icing enabled to state the motion. By
Senator Inman announced that the alb
sentees had been excused. The vote on
the original question. that of concurring IN
the minority report, was then announced
as tie-24 to "A. Confusion again reigneo,
some of the senators apparently unmindful
of the fact that Senator Inman had already
voted, were demanding. that ne cast tns
deciding ballot president pro. tenn of
the Senate This was, of course. without
his province, and he so announced me
complex situation was still unrelieved
when Senator Ball arose to point OF
order. contending that as the vote was
tie the minority report on the bill was
question as TO whether the majority report
should be adopted be put by the chair.
IN CASE OF TIE VOTE.
Senator Inman held that the point of
order was not we'll taken, and said that
he could only rule that the lieutenant gov
ernor, as president of the Senate, should
be called TO the chair and cast the deciding
vote. Senator Brooks arose and said the
contention of some members might be over
come by reading Rule 25, which provides
that the president of the Senate must de-
eide in all cases of tie vote. He insisted
that the vote could not be left tie, but
that the lieutenant governor should be
called TO the chair. Senator Matson here
arose to a point of order. He held that
While 1t was right and proper IL the Senate
saw mt to excuse absentees, yet in this In
stance both of the senators who had not
voted as shown by the roll call were now
within the chamber, and he insisted that
they should be called and allowed TO vote.
Senator 1nman ruled the point of order
was not we'll taken, holding that the Senate
had by majority vote excused the men,
bers who had not answered to their names
on the original call. The confusion at this
point was pronounced, and, to add to the
excitement, Senator Ball moved TO adjourn,
but Senator Inman was firm and ruled the
motion out of order because OF the fact
that the Senate was operating under the
President Gilbert, who had been close at
hand during the entire controversy at this
point assumed control once more, Senator
Inman turning over the gavel and display
ing some signs of relief at being able to
return to the floor. Senator Ball again
arose to the point of order, declaring, as
he had done previously, that as the vote
had resulted in a tie the minority report
on the bill in question not concurred
in. President Gilbert ruled against him,
and then calmly and deliberately ended the
confusion he stated that, although the
Senate had voted to excuse the absentees,
he should hold that such members could
vote If they were then present and so de-
sired; or, in other words. they could not be
prevented from voting simply because they
were excused. Senator OWNS name was
called. he voted against the minority re-
port after stating that he had voted on
the original call His name had not been
recorded, however, not being heard by the
clerk during the turmoil. Senator Layman,
the other absentee, who had been out of
the chamber when the first call was made,
was then called, and voted for the adoption
of the minority report. Thus 1t was that
the vote was still tie, 25 to %. President
Gilbert said at this point that he would
cast the deciding vote in favor Of concur
| ring in the minority report in order that
the bill might be printed and its provisions
fully discussed and considered and the in
cident closed.