The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-29
HOUSES PROSAIC SESSION
EnIivened Only by n Discussion OF the
Baseball Bill.

Baseball Bill.
The House had a decidedly prosaic ses-
sion yesterday forenoon, working for two
hours at a steady grind OF bills on second
reading. The only diversion of the session
came when the bill permitting the playing
of baseball on Sunday in this city was
handed down, and the excitement then was
but momentary
When the call for amendments to the
bill was made Mr.. Sellers. of Washington.
offered one making the bill apply to cities
Of 10000 and over. This amendment was
promptly tabled. and then Mr.. Hume. of
Hendricks, grew facetious and offered one
that made the bill apply only to cities of
population exceeding 100000. This, too. was
laid on the table, but Mr.. Cravens. of Mad
ison, sought to embarrass the supporters
of the bill with motion to strike out the
enacting clause He made the motion as
a joke and withdrew 1t before vote was
taken. In the meanwhile there were
numerous calls for a speech from Repre-
sentative Harrington, who is known to be
one of the earnest supporters OF the BILL
and the various motions and amendments
were offered with the object OF getting
'"rhe Gentleman from Indiana" on his
feet for his second speech. but Harrington
refused to respond to the bait. Finally the
bill was advanced to engrossment and then
Harrington made his speech. 1t was terse
and to the point. and not over dozen
members heard 1T. but 1t expressed his
sentiments volubly. PLAY ball!' he NUT
tered and q rare and radiant smile passed
over his countenauce.
The bill will come up for passage to-day,
and another effort will doubtless be made
RI Qa
he doesn't want to take any chances on
talking the bill to DEATH but If 1t Is neces-
sary for him to be heard in order to get
favorable action on the measure he will do
any kind of stunt"
One bill was killed by the House during
the session-Mr. Kirkpatrick's measure au-
panies to make and insure titles to realty.
Mr.. Bell, Of Randolph. made the motion
to strike out the enacting clause. and
backed it up with short speech, in which
he said that the bill gave trust and safety
deposit companies powers that were not
intended to be vested in such organizations.
Mr.. Kirkpatrick defended his bill, but the
House sustained Mr.. Bell by an over
whelming vote.
Mr.. Stookey, Of Kosciusko, led an attempt
on the life of Mr.. Bamberger's bill provid-
ing for an increase in the salaries of the
judges of Marion county. but he was un-
successful. He moved that the enacting
clause be stricken from the bill and made
speech in which he declared that every
crease in salary and that he was unalter-
ably opposed to all such bills. These OFF,
GERS, he said, knew exactly what salary
to expect when they sought and obtained
election, and there was no reason that
would justify an increase in their compen-
sation after their election.
Mr.. Morgan, of Marion, and Mr.. BAN.
berger. the author Of the bill. supported IT
explaining that the judges in this county
receive less pay In proportion to the
amount of work they do than any Judges III
the State; that the increase provided for ir
the bill meant that they would only receive
$500 more from the State. and equa
| amount from the county. and that ther
| they would only be receiving the same
amount from the State that the pudges il
| other counties receive.
Mr.. Stookey's motion was tabled on mo
| ton by Mr.. Luhring, of Vanderburg, ane
| the bill was advanced to engrossment.
A dozen other bills were advanced to en-
| grossment without amendment discus
sion, the only one of general interest beini
| Mr.. Matthew's measure providing for tn,
establishment of State forestry reserv,
of 1900 acres. These bills will all come III
| for passage to-day If the order of business
| of bills third reading is reached