The Indianapolis journal., 1903-02-24
Democrats Rant and Rage and Cast
AspersiOns Upon the Characters of
Republican Senators.
AMENDMENTS REMOVE DEFECTS
REMODELED BILL DOES NOT I'M
PERIL INTERESTS OF THE PEOPLE.
Speeches for and Against the Measure
-Other Business of the Senate
Day i'm the House.

The Gray railroad bill passed to engross-
ment in the Senate yesterday afternoon,
after day spent in the hottest debate Of
the session. Senator James P. Gray, of
Evansville, who introduced the measure
had to run the gauntlet of general criticism
and thinly-veiled aspersions upon his mo-
tives, but the senator from Vanderburg
charged time and time again the battle
ments of his adversaries, and finally won
the day.
In his determined defense of the bill he
was warmly supported by the Republican
senator's. who, after certain amendments
had been introduced, saw no reason to
combat the relief to railroads contem-
plated The Democrats. on the other hand,
refused to see any good in the measure.
and their attitude, in view of the thorough
presentation of the virtues Of the amend
ments, savored strongly of Bourbonism.
They made of the bill political issue, and
hesitated not to impugn right and left the
motives of the senators who declared that
the bill amended contained no vicious
provisions and was not prejudicial to the
interests of the people.
The Republican stand, in a word was
that the bill should not be considered as
identical or in any way similar to the
famous Joss consolidation measure vetoed
by Governor Durbin two years ago. They
supported Senator Gray in the assertion
that the bill was principally for the pur-
pose of allowing the Illinois Central Com
pany to acquire clear title to Indiana links
of its system without in any way remov-
ing litigation from the Jurisdiction of the
State courts. That the bill would furnish
the same relief to other railroad corpora
tions the senator did not hesitate to ac-
knowledge, but he could not see wherein
any way such relief as limited by the
amendments imperiled the interests of the
citizens of the State.
ILLOGICAL ATTACKS.
further contention of the friends of
the measure was that it was unjust and
illogical to rake up the defects of the Joss
measure as arguments against a bill con-
tanning absolutely nothing of the nature
which aroused objection against the bill
which perished in the Governors dissect-
ing room. On the other hand the Demo-
Gratis shouted loudly, clamoring for the
death of the Gray measure, because they
said> it was intended solely to allow rail-
road companies to have complaints against
them tried in the Federal Court instead OF
state tribunals, and because il was q hill
in the interests of the trusts and detri-
mental to the people. They closed their
ears to arguments that the amendments
placed every safeguard around the rights
of individual litigants and thereby retained
the jurisdiction of the State in cases
against railroad companies. On these gen
| eral lines the battle was fought out-a ba Z
| tie which lasted from 10:30 O'Clock in the
morning session until o'clock in the aft.
| ernoOn.
| The public interest in the fate of the
| measure was evidenced by the crowds
the keen interest evinced in the speeches
| for and against the Gray bill. At times the
| incidents bordered on the spectacular. MOI
| infreauently a dozen senators were on their
| feet appealing for recognition by the chair
Several times Democratic senators cast die
nifty TO the winds and INDUCED in coarse
personalities. An attack was made or
| Senator Gray because he left the Demo.
cratic party at the time of the free silve,
MANIA and Senator Wood was made tbe
| target for vitriolic invective because he
| was one of Mr.. Gray's lieutenants In ths
| fight for the measure. At times the posi.
| ton of the lieutenant governor was s3jf.
| ficult but he held the senators to the sne.
| cific points under discussion and woud
| brook no rambling around Robin Hoods
THE BILL AS AMENDED.
AS amended and ordered engrossed and
| reprinted. Senate bill No. 257 reads as fol.
| lows:
| Section l. Be it enacted by the Genera
Assembly OF the State Of Indiana. Thai