The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-02-07

Democrats Filibustered on Barcus's
Bill with Name Of Harrison.

The interest of the morning session of the
Senate was confined largely to an attempt
on the part of the Democrats to embarrass
the Republicans by forcing them to vote
against placing a statue of Benjamin Har-
rison in the National Hall of Statuary at
Washington. Led by Mr.. Fortune, of JEFF
fersonviIle, the minority has labored un-
tiringly ever since the Barcus bill for a
statute of Clark came up to put the Re-
publicans in the attitude of opposing a
memorial of that nature to General Har-
rison, but as the filibustering was mani
testify done for nothing in the world save
to embarrass the majority it failed of its
purpose.
Mr. Barcus called up his bill establish
ing a commission to have executed and
placed in the National Hall of Statuary a
monument to Gen. George Rogers Clark.
Senator Fortune was awaiting his oppor-
tunity and he Immediately made the mo-
ton that the name of Benjamin Harrison
be substituted for the name of George
Rogers Clark. With the idea of putting the
Republicans on record as opposed to non
oring General Harrison, Mr.. Fortune called
for the aye and no vote.
While the voting was going on the read
ing clerk, George Denny, discovered that
Mr. Fortunes motion to amend bore no
signature. He called the attention OF Presl-
dent Gilbert to the fact. While he was talk
ing to the president the attention of Sen
ator Fortune was attracted to what was
going on. He slipped up. pencil in hand, to
rectify his forgetfulness, but II was too
late. President Gilbert Immediately de-
clared the motion to amend out or order
because it had not been presented in the
proper form. The roll call had been pro-
ceeding in the meantime and the Demo-
Gratis had been voting for the Fortune
dina ant a nd ia Il.
President Gilbert's ruling Immediately
stopped proceedings.
DEMOCRATS PROTESTED.
Taking exception to the ruling of the
Lieutenant Governor that the roll call was
void because there had been nothing before
the Senate, the Democrats rose en- masse
and declared that the courtesy of correcting
his motion should be extended to- the SEN
ator from Jeffersonville. Mr.. Ogborn, OF
New Castle, had moved the previous ques-
ton, and the Lieutenant Governor informed
the minority that nothing could interrupt
a motion for the previous question.
Then the vote was taken and the bill was
passed. the Democrats voting against 1t tc
| a man and the Republicans casting a solid
| vote for the bill. Senator Davis, of Greene
| tried to embarrass the president by tech
meal questions, but succumbed to more
cedure than his own. He wanted to ex-
| plain his vote on an unbeatable question
and the Lieutenant Governor ruled him out
| of order. He appealed to the decision OF
| the Senate but was shut off after his OWL
| colleagues had gone back on him.
The minority has done everything posi-
| BILE to place the majority in the hole by
| going on record against propositions tC
| honor the name of the late President. The
Democrats sought some time ago to amend
Senator Starts resolution to name the In
dianapolis army post Fort Hackieman py
substituting the name of Benjamin Harri'
son, and they forced the Republicans to &C
on record against the proposition.
Senator Eban III. Wolcott succeeded ir
| getting his primer bill through yesterday
| morning. The bill gives the State Board OF
| Education authority to contract for
| primer a grade lower than the first reader
| now in use. The bill, after some considera-
| ton at a previous session, had been de-
feated by small margin. In speaking fol
the bill Senator Wolcott said that educators
| had Informed him that the first reader now
i'm use is too difficult for many children in
| the first grade of the primary department
and that there is need for a simpler reader
| The senator said the bill would save the
| State money, as a primer now in use costs
% cents, while the book contemplated by
| the bill will cost but 10 cents.
/ Senator Milburn had moved that the vote
\ be reconsidered, and on the second try the
| bill was passed by a substantial majority
| Senator Starr introduced a resolution tC
| the effect that the Senate chamber shall
not be used for meetings of associations OF
societies. and the resolution was adopted.