The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-27
THE OPPOSITION GROWING
Enemies of the RefOrmalOry Bill Believe They Will
Be Able to Defeat the Measure.

yeSieTudy kept UP a leTTlnC OHsiduShl Vh
the members of the House who are stand
ing with the administration. with the re-
suit that the weak-kneed representatives
grew weaker still. and even the avowed
friends of the bill hesitated 10 express
their sentiments where any one could hear
them. Prominent men from all sections
of the State are coming in to fight the bill,
and this has stiffened the backbones of
the leaders of the opposition until they
did not hesitate to declare that they had
the administration defeated at this early
stage of the fight
One of the strongest indications of the
weakening of the supporters of the bill,
however, was in the story that was quiet
ly whispered about yesterday afternoon
concerning an amendment that will be
offered when the bill comes UP on second
reading. According to this story, which
comes direct from one of the strongest ad-
vocates of the bill, an amendment will be
offered providing that Immediately upon
the taking effect of the bill commission
shall be appointed to conduct rigid inves-
tigation into the affairs of the Reforma-
tory with the purpose of showing up the
evidences of mismanagement and wrongs
SAID TO exist the lnSJtullOn
CONCESSION TO MINORITY.
This amendment will come, it is said, as
a concession to the minority, as many of
the Democratic members have said that
they would vote for the bill if they knew
that an investigation would be made that
would reveal all the evils charged by Sena-
tor Goodwine and his following. With a
provision in the bill itself for such an in
quiry it is the hope of the supporters of the
bill that they will gain the vote of prac-
tically every man on the minority side of
the House. Then, too, it is believed that
this amendment would meet with favor
from several of the Republican members
who are supporting the bill under protest
and who may flop over to the opposition at
the last moment, and others who are be-
ing held in line for the opposition and yet
believe that there is something wrong at
the Reformatory that should be exposed.
The story that such a move will be made
by the administration forces is strength
ened by the declaration of Governor Dur
bin that if the bill is passed he will see that
the first work of the new board will be to
make such an investigation that the result
will within six months vindicate every man
plausible that in order to make this declara-
tion good the friends of the bill have de-
cided to incorporate in it a provision for
the Investigation.
The bill was reported from the House
committee yesterday afternoon, the report
being unanimously in favor of it's passage.
The House concurred in the report without
discussion, the opposition not even voting
in the negative. To-day the printed copies
of the bill will be placed on the desks of
members, and under the rules it cannot be
taken up on second reading for amendment
or advancement to engrossment before to-
morrow's session. Tomorrow, then, the
amendment alluded to will be offered, and it
is altogether probable that the OPPOSING
forces will measure strength in a pre-
liminary skirmish. although the real fight
for life or death cannot come before Thurs
day.
A TASTE OF THE FIGHT.
The lobbying that was done yesterday
was but a taste of the fight that will be
made in the cloakrooms and on the floor
of the House to-day. The friends of the
opposition were by far the most aggressive
yesterday, and they made the strong
est showing. but, on the other hand,
the forces that were for the bill were none
the less active, and while their work was
carried on quietly and a special effort at
secrecy was made, the fact could not be
lodged that some of the strongest poll
ticians in the State were putting forth their
best efforts in behalf of the Goodwine bill
James p. Goodrich. Republican state chair
man, Harry G. Starr, of Richmond, district
committeeman from the Sixth district, and
Joseph B. Healing, of Indianapolis, were
in evidence, during the day and last night
and ii was hot denied that they were using
their influence for the BILL The trio, all of
whom were members of the big Four
that figured prominently in legislative
affairs two years ago, had consultation
at dinner last evening in the English cafe,
and later they mingled with the represent
atives in the hotel lobby
That the opposition has gained decided
strength with the minority was plainly
evident last night. In fact, the leaders
were claiming that not over half a dozen
Democrats would vote for the bill and that
that number might be reduced to four. Sew
eral of the Democratic senators who are
favoring the bill were scurrying about
among their brethren of the lower branch
of the Legislature, but they met with
scanty encouragement 1t was said that
an effort was being made TO get the mi
nority to take caucus action to divide the
vote on the bill. However, it is not be-
lieved that this could be done because of
the aggressive stand that has been taken
by so many of the Democratic members
against the bill.
STUTESMAN is JUBILANT
The administration forces are still claim
ing that the bill will be passed with not
more than fifteen Republicans voting
against it. but their claims were not made
with the confidence that accompanied the
same assertion Saturday. 1t was shown on
an informal poll yesterday afternoon that
not less than twenty-six Republican
members had lined up with the opposition,
and the benefcent effect OF the members
going home to spend Sunday was apparent.
Representative Statesman, who will be
the floor general OF the opposition. was in
excellent spirits last night. He was jubilant
over the accession of several Republican
votes. and the attitude of the larger num-
Der and the most influential members OF
the minority as well. and he expressed his
confidence that the bill will be defeated.
Forty-eight hours more will tell the story.
and IL is safe prediction that these two
days will witness more aggressive lighting
than has ever been crowded into the same
neriod in any previous session of the Leg