The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-02-25
Gray Railroad Measure Passes After
Fierce Passages mt Arms and
Change Of Base by Some.
HOUSE RINGS WITH EXCITEMENT
STATE AUDITORS sEQUEsTERED
TAX BILL KNOCKED OUT.
Day I'm Senate and House Marked by
Unusual Activity-BiIIs Rapid
ly Advanced-Routine.

ton that time is fieeting, and that senator's
have but little while to abide in legisla-
tive halls. went far yesterday toward choK-
ing futile debate and accomplishing a big
days work. Throwing themselves con-
stantly as obstacles in the path of business.
the Democratic filibusters were roughly
used by the lieutenant governor who made
it sufficiently plain for the meanest intel
lect to comprehend that enough time has
been wasted in talk and that the Senate
is in duty bound to act in the remaining
two weeks of the session.
Business of the utmost Importance to the
people of Indiana was transacted. Ihe
Wood garnishee bill was killed, after acri-
monious debate. The Gray railroad bill
passed, after wholly unlooked-for op-
position which developed at the last min
ute. The House bill increasing the tax
levy for the benefit of Indiana University.
Purdue and the State Normal went through
after an attempt had been made TO amend
il, limiting the time length of the levy.
The House bill authorizing the pumping
of natural gas met with comparatively
little opposition when placed on its passage.
and. in addition TO these measures. other
bills were passed. sent TO engrossment, or
reported on by committees. Four new bills
were introduced.
DEATH OF GARNISHEE BILL.
Senator Will Wood called up the garni-
shee bill near the close OF the morning ses-
sion- The bill was a substitute measure
which bore the name Of Senator Parks,
chairman of the first division of the COM
mittee on judiciary. AS remodeled in the
committee room. the bill provided that a
merchant might levy 25 per cent OF the
pay of a debtor in case the debtor bad
given evidence of an intention to evade
payment of the debt. The bill had been
vigorously opposed by labor organizations.
and as warmly supported by merchants
associations. Senator. Wood made an ex-
tended speech urging its passage. lie de-
cause no apprehension to an honest man
and was directed solely at the man or
woman who contracts debt and then
tries get out OF paying it, Instead of
being Objectionable TO the interests Of
the laboring men, Senator Wood declared
that the bin would be OF the utmost ben
EFT to them if enacted into law. He
said il had the support of the great labor
leaders of the country. and he mentioned
John Mitchell and Grand Chief Arthur
OF the locomotive engineers.
His statement was at once disputed by
Senator Davis, of Greene, who said he did
not believe John Mitchell had advocated the
passage of any such bill. Senator Wood.
under the persistent batting OF the Demo-
Gratis, prowled like a bear up and down
the aisles, constantly interrupted by Sena-
tors uirey o, ana DAVIS q, ,,e VINO aaGwed s ohem-
tionable to the chair. President Gilbert
rebuked them severely and declared SEN
ator must be allowed TO to speak SsI without in in
terruption when ne had peen granted the
floor.
FORTUNE GREW BITTER
Senator Fortune had moved TO make the
consideration of the bill special order of
business for Feb. II. Fortune was not in
order, but he used up ten minutes with a
bitter speech against the bill and attacked
the lobby back OF it. He inquired I'm tones
of panied astonishment how much further
the majority members were going to allow
themselves to go with such legislation. and
remarked that il the bill passed IL would be
a blot upon the name of the State that
years would not remove. The vote on the
garnishee bill was taken with every sena-
tor on the oui vive The roll call had not
sef e ha b Meud eeh Se killed was the 1e9s
stood on the passage OF the bill:
Ayes-Barcus. Barlow. Conlogue. Crum-
packer, DE Haven, Gard. Gibson. Goche-
nour, Goodwfne, Layman, Lindley. Matson,
ogborn. Starr. Thompson. whitcomb. VOL
cOSt and Mood- sxi. ali hePS6li9ans Fsm,ng ror,
Harrison, Lawler. Matthews. Milburn.
O'Brien. Roach, Singer. Thralls. Ulrey,
wampler-14. all Democrats-and the fol-
lowing Republicans: Ball, Bell. Crumbak-
er Darby, Dausman. Gray, Hendee. Kit
finger Lyons. Newhouse. Parks. Powell.
Purvisnce. Smith. Stricler-total. %
The defeat of the garnishee bill was a Bit
ter disappointment 10 Senator Wood. who
had devoted a large share of his time to
working earnestly in its favor The sena-
tor from Lafayette had number of tits
with Republican colleagues who voted
against the bill. and under the spur of
anger he accused a number OF them OF GO
ing back on their promises TO vote for his
bill At the Republican caucus held at noon
all differences were patched up, and Sena-
tor Wood said in the afternoon that he had
learned TO take defeat In good grace. Rep
terday morning were gleeful when the vote
was announced and men identified with To-
cal merchants associations left the State
house with dark faces.
SURPRISE OF THE DAY.
The surprise OF the day was the unex.
pected opposition that developed in the
eleventh hour to the Gray railroad bill
Monday the Senate passed the bill to en-
grossment by so decisive a vote that the
action was a mere formalty. When Sem
ator Gray called up the measure yesterday
afternoon the Democrats began their usual
tactics. but Mr.. Fortune was conspicuous
by his absence. He had not expected the
bill 10 come up and had allowed himself
to be called away by other business. Sen
ator Ulrey and Senator Davis took the
lead I'm throwing stones at the Gray BILL
and the character OF their attack led Presi-
dent Gilbert to squelch them effectively.
Senator Gray made a short speech ex-
planning the bill amended Davis and
Ulrey interrupted him every minute or
two with CALLING questions. Senator Woed
appeal for favorable action on the bin. He
told the Democrats that II took hero 70