The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-21
Assertion Made Openly that Governor
Durbin Has warned RecaIcitrants
of Possible Consequences.
BOOTH HARRINGTON A REBEL
HE EXPRESSES DETERMINATION TO
FIGHT THE GOODwINE BILL.
Real Fight VIII Come Up This Morn
Ing Ia the Senate-Routine In
Senate and House.

which was 'scheduled to occur in the Senate
yesterday afternoon, will come up to-day,
according to the revised programme. Sen
ator Goodwine did not call his bill UP on
third reading yesterday which would have
precipitated the fight, for two reasons
First, because the time was so limited that
the discussion would have been interrupted
by the election OF United States senator.
and. second. because a number OF the SEN
ators both from the opposition and from
those who support the bill approached
him and requested that he defer the final
consideration. Both sides are now anxious
for full and free discussion Of the meas
ure and they do not want it to come up
until there is ample time for this.
The bill will be handed down on third
reading to-day, however, and the fight will
be on in earnest. That it will be bitter
contest, with probably some sensational
features. was assured by the manner in
which the opposing forces were lining up
yesterday and last night. Active lobbying
was being done by both sides and every
possible pressure was being brought to bear
on the members who indicated that they
were undecided in their attitude.
PUTTING THE SCREWS"
The nature of some of this pressure"
and the source from which it came, formed
the subject of conversation in several
groups of legislators in the Hobbies of the
hotels and clubs last evening. Ii was in
timated that the screws were being put
on the members who are inclined to the OPP
position and that the administration forces
had got out the party whip and were
brandishing it threateningly in certain
quarters. In fact. it was asserted that
Governor Durbin had sent for several men,
bers OF the opposition and had held ex-
tended conferences with them in his pri-
waite office, at which he indicated to the
recalcitrants that IL they were especially
interested In any Legislation and expected
10 get IL through they had better get on
the right side of the Reformatory bill and
vote with the administration. Represent
alive Harrington. OF this city, was one of
the rebels who was favored with an inter-
view of this character. but IL evidently did
not have the desired effect, for last even
Ing Iarkington expressed In unmistakable
terms his determination TO fight the bill.
Harrington is regarded as the mainstay of
the opposition in the House and he will be
supported by most of the other members
from this county and by several others
from various parts of the State.
Yesterday the representatives received
letters from Lucius b. Swift. of this city,
in which Mr.. Swift vigorously denounced
the Gcodwine bill and urged the members
10 oppose IL at every step. In the course
of his letter Mr.. Swift said:
1T is admitted on all hands that the
only object OF the bill is TO enable the
Governor to get even with the board for
appointing superintendent without con-
sultation with him. There is no claim
that the superintendent appointed is not
well Qualified and efficient. and, as a mat
ter OF fact he Is unusually well qualified
and efficient.
REVERSING PROGRESS.
THE law makes it the duty of the Gov
ernor to appoint the board. and it makes
q he 1t,fu Off he
institution. and among other things to APP
point superintendent. The law says moth
ing about courtesy TO the Governor nor
about consultation with him. For appoint
ing an inefficient superintendent the board
may be removed by the Governor. as it
may be for any other dereliction.
THE fact that the Governor makes no
attempt TO remove the board under the
authority given him by the law is con-
elusive admission that the board has acted
within its powers.
THE proposed bill is a return to prac-
tices which were the keynote of the for
mer vicious management of our State in
situations Good management of late years
has made great progress in this State, but
this bill, II made law, would set the prog
ress back many years, and would open the
gate for return to former vicious prac-
This letter is a duplicate of one which
Mr.. Swift sent last week to the members OF
the Senate.
The attitude that the Democrats will take
toward the bill Is still cause of great
concern both TO it's supporters and oppo-
nents. II is conceded that II will be within
the power of the minority TO defeat or pass
the measure, because of the division in
the ranks of the majority. Senator For
tune, the minority. floor leader. has an
amendment which he will Offer providing
that the new board of control of the Re-
formatory shall consist of four instead
OF three members, two men to be appointed
from each party. This would leave the
board as IL is at present The Democrats
Will play at politics in their position on
the bill, and their action will be regulated
by their opinion as to what will leave the
Republicans In the worst hole-to pass the
bill or to defeat it, On this basis il is be-
neved Tat they have decided TO vote for
the bill.
BARCUS HAS SUPPORT.
In spite of the hard fight that will be
made In the Senate to-day against the bill.
IT will in all probability be passed. Such
was the general opinion expressed last
night. Senator Barcus is being relied on
to lead the fight of the opposition, and he
Will make a Vigorous speech against it. In
this he will be supported. it is said by
Senator Crumbaker and one or two MEM
bers of the Marion county delegation.
The course of the supporters of the bill
in not bringing out the strong arguments
why the bill should be passed is being Sc
verely criticised BY innuendo they have
SUGGESTED all Sorts or dark things that
exist or have existed, I'm the management
of the Reformatory. but they have not come
out with a vigorous. unmistakable state
ment as 10 what these bad things are
Members who are inclined TO be friendly 10
the hill. and to support IL because Governor
Durbin is back of IL. express themselves
as mystified at this course OF it's support
ers. They say that IL there is any valid
reason for the passage OF the bill other
than because the administration wants il
passed. this reason should be announced
In SIR 20 r M for 4
formation OF members who have not been
let in on the inside.
Several OF the members OF the House
have shrewdly declined to take a position
for or against the bill at this stage of af-
fairs They believe that the bill may he
finally disposed of in the Senate by being
killed and that in such an event n
will not be necessary for them to go or
record either way. and they will escape
the displeasure OF the administration or OF
the forces that are being rallied by the
opposition. This attitude is not satisfactory
10 either side, but dc yelopments may prove
its wisdom.