The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-28
Governor shall Have I'm the Mat
OF Removals.
ANOTHER CONFERENCE TODAY
1T Is THOUGHT AN AGREEABLE COM
PROMISE WILL BE REACHED.
that Such a Solution Is Most
Desirable.

The forces for and against the Goodwine
bill for the reorganization OF the Indiana
Reformatory reached common ground on a
compromise yesterday afternoon that will
terminate abruptly a contest that had
grown to unusual proportions and that
promised to be one of the most interesting
fights in the history of the Indiana Legis-
lature.
BY the terms of the compromise, which
has not been finally agreed upon, but is re-
garded as the inevitable outcome OF the
situation, the Goodwine bill will be with
drawn and another measure introduced pro-
viding that all the state boards now con-
sisting of but three members shall be en-
larged to four and that the Governor shall
have the power to remove any member OF
any board at any time after charges have
been preferred and a public hearing given
the member. From the decision of the
Governor in such a hearing there shall be
no appeal
Governor Durbin sent for some Of the men
who have been active in opposing the Good
wine bill yesterday morning and told them
that the controversy had reached a point
where he deemed il for the best interests
of all concerned that a compromise be ef-
fected if such a step were possible. The
Governor said that he felt that his posi-
ton in the affair had been misinterpreted,
and as an evidence that he desired to do
only that which would be for the good OF
the State he asked for an indication from
the opposition to the terms on which
compromise could be reached.
AGREED UPON A PLAN.
At this conference the Governor agreed
upon a plan that was outlined by the rep
resentative of the opposition. and an in
formal meeting of a number of the Repub-
lican senators who have been most deeply
interested in the bill was held in the after
noon and the plan laid before them. After
some little discussion the terms that were
acceptable to the Governor were agreed
upon. namely. that all the state boards
should be made uniform, consisting of four
members. and that the Governor should
have the appointive power and the power
of removal, but only after public hearing
on specific charges. The Governor shall
be the judge of this hearing. and from his
decision there shall be no appeal to the Su-
preme Court, as the present law provides.
In the meantime the spirit of compromise
had taken hold of the members OF the
House. Immediately upon the adjournment
meeting of half dozen Of the representa-
tives who had not yet taken a radical
position either for or against the Goodwine
bill was held to If a movement toward
a peaceable solution OF the contest would
meet with favor. Representative Cantwell
of Blackford county, was one OF the active
spirits in this movement. Ii was found that
there was a decided sentiment In favor of
a compromise, and as result q meeting
of larger proportions was held later in the
afternoon in the speakers room. There
were present at this conference Speaker
Marshall and some twenty members. repre-
senting both sides. The plan evolved in
this meeting was similar TO that agreed
upon by the Governor and the Republican
senators, but the final adjustment OF one
or two minor points was not made.
POINT AT ISSUE.
The point at issue is whether the Cow
ernor shall have absolute power of re-
moving any of the members OF any of the
boards at any time he may see fit without
a hearing on written charges. Some of
the members. both from the opposition and
the supporters of the Goodwine measure.
were willing that the Governor should be
given this power. Others held that the
member or members of board who are re-
moved should on demand be given writ
ten statement OF the cause for such re-
moval. and others believed that the re-
moval should be only after a public hear
ing on written charges. The sentiment OF
all present at the conference was such. n
no difficulty m reaching common ground
on this point.
Another conference of the members of
the House will be held before the final
| terms of the compromise are agreed upon.
| and in the interim committee, consisting
of Representatives CantweIi OF Blackioro'
/ Sayre of Wabash. and Lewis of Fountain.
/ will prepare a bill along the lines indi-
! Gated Mr.. Sayre. who has been one OF
the leaders OF the eppeslaon ,eu,d Is inclined hns
/ absolute power in the matter OF the re-
moval of a member of any board.
+ At the conference of the Republican sem
ators lieutenant Governor Gilbert desig-
/ mated Senators Goodwine and Barcus as a
| committee to confer with the committee OF
/ the House in the preparation OF the bill
/ mittees will meet early to-day and may
| he ready for a report before the Senate and
| House convene at 10 o'clock.
/ The bill will probably be one primarily
/ for the separation of the Woman's Prison
| and Industrial School for Girls. with the
/ sections providing Tor the compromise or
Il the Reformatory controversy tackled on as
SOME QUIET WORK.
The work toward a compromise was kept
very quiet all day yesterday and last night.
! and but comparatively few OF the leaders
knew that such a movement was under
way. with all those who were on the In
/ side the compromise was received
very happy solution OF a decidedly unfortu-
nate affair and all were glad that the
! contest was not TO be fought TO bitter
! end. No matter what the result OF the tight
might have been. il was felt by all. parties
concerned that the issue was oae 10 be
avoided. and the compromise means that
ali the interests will be reconciled anc sat-
| isfied.
THE proposed compromise. IL II Is finally
carried into eject. as IL probably win