The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-22
Present High Standard of Institutions
should Not he Tainted by
Politics, He Says.
FORTUNE AMENDMENT ADOPTED
PROVISION MADE THAT BOARD
SHALL BE NONPARTIsAN.
The House VIII Now BE the Battle
held-Opposition Gaining Strength
-Legislative Routine.

The Senate yesterday passed the bill for
the reorganization of the Indiana Reforma-
tory by vote of 80 TO 10. three Republic
ans and seven Democrats voting against IL.
The bill was passed after a contest OF two
hours, interrupted at noon for the joint
session for the canvassing of the vote for
United States senator. In this contest Sen
ator Barcus led the forlorn hope Of the op-
position in a vigorous fight against the
measure, making a speech against IL that
was pronounced by veteran legislators to
be one Of the ablest addresses that has been
delivered on the floor of the Senate for
many sessions.
Several amendments were offered to the
bill and effort was made to defer final
action until to-day. One amendment.
offered by Senator Fortune, the minority
floor leader, was adopted II provides that
the new board of control of the Reforma-
tory shall consist of four members instead
of three. The comment was made in ex-
planation OF the adoption of such an amend
ment coming from the minority side that
it was the price paid by the Republican
adherents of the bill for the votes of the
Democratic members, as the amendment
gives the Democrats one more member OF
the board In refutation of this, however.
IL was pointed out that only FIVE OF the
Democrats voted for the bill and that as a
matter of record their strength was given
to the opposition. ->-,--->~
BARCUS OPENED THE FIGHT.
Senator Barcus opened his fight against
the bill by offering an amendment provid-
ing that the management of the Reforma-
tory shall remain as it is, with the addi-
tional provision that the Governor may
appoint a commission at any time to in
vestigate the affairs of the institution, and
that upon the report of such commission
he may remove the members of the board
Of managers If due cause is shown. He
followed this amendment with a mo-
tion that further consideration of the bill
be made the special order for to-day at IL
o'clock. He spoke i'm favor of this motion,
but on motion by Senator Goodwine, the
father of the bill, the motion to defer action
was tabled by vote of IS TO Is. This was
the first real showing of the strength OF
the opposing forces and indicated clearly
that the bill would be passed
Senator Barcus spoke at length in sup
port of his amendment. He was followed
by Senator Wood. who advocated the
passage of the bill i'm it's original form.
The vote on the amendment was then taken
and il was defeated by a vote of IL to 80.
a gain of three votes for the supporters OF
Senator Thompson, of this city. then
offered an amendment radically different
from that offered by the senator from yigo
and radically different from the amend
ment of Senator Fortune that eventu-
ally adopted. IL was stated In afternoon
paper that the amendments of Senator
Thompson and Senator Fortune were ident-
ical, but such was far from the case. Sena-
tor ThOmpsons amendment provided for
the continuance Of the present system OF
nagement. but enabled the Governor TO
appoint new board of managers and also
provided that the superintendent and other
employees could not be removed except for
cause and after hearing by the board
on written charges In brief, the effect OF
the amendment was that the Governor
would be able TO get new board that
would be in sympathy with him, but elimi-
mated the objection that has been made to
the bill that ii was merely the means To
the end of providing job superintend-
ent for some Republican politician. Sena-
tor Thompson spoke in support of his
amendment. but IL was defeated
Senator Fortunes amendment came next,
and IL was adopted without discussion and
the bill was placed on its passage
HOUSE THE BATTLE GROUND.
The action of the Senate in passing the
bill was in accordance with the predictions
of both sides, and the House will now be-
come the real battle ground for the final
struggle that undoubtedly will be one OF
intense bitterness. Both adherents and op-
ponents are girding up their loIns for tho
supreme effort. and the fight really be-
gun yesterday energetic lobbying being
done by both sides yesterday afternoon and
last night.
II is conceded that the adoption of the
amendment making the new board of con-
troll one of members instead of three
was Il shrewd move by the administration
forces as Ii removes the objection that
the new management would be partisan
and provides for the continuance of tho
present nonpartisan or bipartisan control.
The objection that is now made TO the
bill must be confined to the point that tho
managers OF an institution should not be
removed except for good and sufficient
the board and the chief executive. Menu
bers of the House who are opposed 20 the
bill admitted last night that in this smend-
melt one OF their strongest weapons had
been taken from them. However. they
argued that the amendment not made
until the force OF the opposition had been
felt and that the provision for bipartisan
board should have been included I'm the
original bill IL its adherents were acting in
good faith.
The opposition I'm the House is gathering
strength constantly. In addition 10 Booth
Harrington who has been against the bill
lanes r. stutesman, of Peru. has come out
sauarely against II. and Warren G.. Sayre.
| of Wabash. has indicated that he will nghe
IT. Harrington. Statesman and Sayre
comprise a formidable trio on any PROPOSE
ton and around them the opposition hopes
! TO rally sufficient strength TO Kill Senator
| Goodwine's measure.
TALK OF COMPROMISE.
The opposition has grown 60 such pro-
portions indeed. that there is already talk
of compromise among some OF the admins
| tration forces. and compromise was thing
that they secuted but few hours since.
] One of the strongest advocates OF the
/ measure confessed last evening that the
amendment proposed by Senator Thomo-