The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-02-23
Opposition to Salary-Increasing Meas
ure Has Developed I'm House
and 1t May Not Pass.
SAYRE MAY LEAD THE FIGHT
Willy WATCH DOG FROM WABASH
HAS HIS HAMMER READY.
Belief Exists that Present Incumbents
Should Not BeneAt-Tfme Growing
Short-Legislative Gossip.

AS an evidence of the lively times that
may be expected in the Legislature from
now on, a formidable lobby of county Off
Gals from all over the State is gathering
in the city to work for the Gard fee and
salary bill. which is now in the hands of
House committee on fees and salaries.
Representatives of the lobby began pour
ing into the city last night, more will come
to-day and by tomorrow the county off,
GERS will be here in force. They are COM
ing with their lighting clothes on" and
they may be relied on to make a heroic
effort to secure the passage of their bill.
A circular letter was sent out Saturday
to county officials all over Indiana, calling
attention to the fact that the Gard bill
was In peril and urging the officers to write
and telegraph their senators and represent
atives and then to come to Indianapolis
to assist the fight in person. The letter
named the members of the House COM
mittee that is considering the bill and urged
particularly that every man who had the
least influence with a member of that COM
mittee should get into communication with
that member and bring all possible pres
sure to bear to secure favorable report.
There will undoubtedly be two reports on
the bill, as the Democratic members of the
House have decided in caucus to oppose the
BILL and If the Republican committeeman
should recommend the bill for passage the
democrats Will bring in minority report
recommending indefinite postponement. 1t
is believed by many representatives that If
the Democrats stand as unit in opposition
to the bill it cannot be passed, as they have
81 votes, and it is claimed that there are at
least eighteen or twenty Republicans who
are opposed to it. Representatives sayre
and Stookey, on the majority side, who
nave been consistently against all salary
increasing measures so far brought I'D. are
relied on to lead fight on the Gard bill.
OFFICERS CANNOT COMPLAIN.
The representatives who are opposed to
the bill say that in passing the bill guar
anteeing that the county clerks and sher-
ms shall receive the full amount of their
salaries. whether or not they collect sufii-
cient fees to equal the amount of their
salaries, the Legislature has done all for
the county officers that can reasonably be
asked. The officers aside from the clerks
and sheriffs. they claim, are doing fairly
well under the present law, and there is
no good reason why they should ask for an
increase.
Even II the Gard bill is passed. however.
1t Is believed that an amendment will be in
corporated providing that it's provisions
shall not benefit the present incumbents.
There is a growing sentiment among the
members of both branches of the I,egis,a.
ture that no salary-increasing measure
| off1ces in question. By tacking an amend
| ment or TINS character to the prosecuting
attorneys bill it was found that the lobby
| which had been working for it immediateIy
| lost all interest, and when the bill came mr.
| on third reading ii did not have half enough
votes to pass ie If such an amendment
can be made to the Gard bill on second
| reading in the House il is believed that
\ there will be no one here to work for n
| when it comes up on it's final passage.
| Both houses will be in session fiis fora
| neon, but it is not believed that any of the
| bills of especial Importance will be taken
| up. Most OF the important bills are i'm fhe
hands OF committees in one house or the
| other. having already passed one branch
| and. even if they are reported on to-dav
| there Is little likelihood of a fight Th;s
| afternoon neither the Senate nor the House
| will be in session, as both bodies will he
| participating in the ceremonies incidant ~
| the presentation of the sword to admir-
Taylor.
SEQUESTERED TAXES.
| House bill No. 313. empowering the state
| auditor to get after sequestered taxes all
over the State and giving him q per cent
of all such taxes recovered, is on third
reading in the House and may be handed
down this forenoon. but it Is not regarded
as probable that such action will be taken
as the opposition that has developed 10
| the measure has led its advocates to con.
slider the advisability Of amending II. This
| bill was railroaded to engrossment on sec.
ond reading without debate or an oppor.
! tuniity for amendments to be offered. and
| its friends now realize that this was q
| serious mistake. as IL has convinced MANI
| people that there Is something radicaIiy
| wrong about the bill IL ii was necessary
| TO force IL through in that manner Ths
opposition TO the bill has gained steadily
| and IL Is hardly possible that it can muster
| sufficient votes to pass the House, to sa,
nothing of what might happen to ii in ths
senate. 1t has been suggested that a com
promise be reached on the bill and thai