The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-09

cannot be vastly more salubrious than that
of Indiana.
Henry G. Roger, of this city. was one of
the many who were disappointed in the
disposition of the legislative jobs and privi-
leges. He was an applicant for the tobacco
privilege in the House and proposed TO put
in a stand at which none but local union
made cigars would be sold, but he was
turned down for a man who. he says,
represents Patton Bros. and the trust.
Several former members OF the Senate
and House were on hands for the opening
yesterday and the expressions on their
faces as they watched the proceedings indi-
Gated that they felt that they were out in
the cold and that they would give a good
deal TO be back on the floor, active partlcl-
pants in all that went on. 81 tell you, it's
downright tough TO be a has-been, was
the frank confession of his feelings ex-
pressed by Sherman King of Wabash, who
was in the House two years ago. I'D like
to be out there among the boys, for feel
lost along the 'sidelines.
Francis T. Roots, of Connersville, who
cago, pointed with PRIDE to his lesisla-
tive record. He was a member Of the
House in 81 and '99. and his chief claim
to distinction for that service. he says, was
the authorship Of the bill that provided
for the legislative committee on visiting
State institutions, and did away with the
old junketing trips.
Mr.. Roots announced that he will make
the race for the congressional nomination
in the Sixth district against Representative
Watson in the next campaign.
The desks of several of the members Of
the House were adorned yesterday morn
frncr until NV, hon p N
friends for the opening session. Repre-
sentative Bamberger, of indianapolis, was
the recipient of handsome bunch OF Amer
lean Beauty roses, while Representatives
Caldwell, of Earl Park, and Poer, of
Gwynnville, were among others similarly
favored. The speaker had a share in the
floral attentions and his desk was adorned
with two great vases filled with beautiful
red carnations sent from Lafayette by Mrs.
Marshall. AT the close of the session Mr..
Marshall shared his favors with the men,
bers, sending the pages around to see that
each representative had buttoniere.
XXX
The first grand stand play of the minority
In the House was made yesterday morning
early in the session, when the resolution
was offered granting the tobacco privilege
to Joseph Steigpher Representative Slack.
the minority floor leader, was on his feet
before the reading of the resolution ha6
been concluded. Mr.. Speaker he began
impressively, Il should like to inquire be-
fore we vote on this resolution whether Mr..
Steigpher is the representative of the to-
bacco trust. 1 have been Informed that
he is. If such Is the case, of course 1
cannot conscientiously vote for this reso-
luton
The humor Of the thing appealed even to
Mr.. Slack himself, and he could scarcely
his seat again. The information that he
sought was not vouchsafed, but neither he
nor his colleagues voted no. remaining ST.
lent when the nays were called for.
Harmon L. Hutson. secretary of the Sen
ate, is in trouble. He has an ugly duclSling
on his force of pages with whom he knows
not what to do All but one of these useful
adjuncts to the business Of the Senate are
little fellows, nine or ten years old, In
knickerbockers. They are barely able to
climb to the tops of their high stools; but
the one is taller than almost any senator
there except Cy Davis.
who's the Cardiff giant?" asked a re-
porter Of Hutson yesterday morning, nod
ding at the remarkable edition of Senate
page.
II give it up" answered Hutson. ST think
they put one of the doorkeeper's force in
here by mistake"
The long-legged page is hardly more than
boy. but he is so tall and his length of
limb is so conspicuous that he looks as in
three-foot pages as Sam Shut would in
similar capacity.
There are not few Republican senators
that are gently kicking themselves because
they let the thoughtful Mr.. Kittinger get
ahead of them in introducing a resolution
providing for a junketing committee to
select the site of the Indiana building at
the Louisiana Purchase Exposition. Kit
finger came to the first session with the
resolution already prepared and ready to
spring. When he brought IL up there were
a good many senators that shook their
heads sorrowfully and murmured TO them
selves, You might just as well have done
that yourself"
Now, it is said. there are no less than
forty-six members of the House going
around with similar resolutions in their in
side pockets awaiting the opportunity TO
introduce them. As the first man that brings
the matter up will undoubtedly be made a
member of the committee to make a pleas
ant trip to ST. Louis, there may be some fun
this morning when the House convenes.
Lieutenant Governor Gilbert as a rule
does not make many breaks as presiding
officer. but yesterday in presenting Gov
ernor Durbin to the joint session he became
badly tangled in fixing the title OF the Gov
ernor's message. He first wound up his
little speech with IT now have the honor
Of presenting to you Governor Durbin, who
| will deliver to you his annual message -
That did not sound right and he corrected
himself by adding His semi-annual mes
sage" but before the words were out OF his
mouth he saw that that even worse.
| He caught himself and started to guess
| again., apparently, but he changed his
| mind and sat down, leaving the Governor
| with his "semi-annuaf' document. The
| word biennial had evidently dropped out
| of his vocabulary for the time being. If
Governor Durbin had to prepare and deliver
| twice year message as bulky and as
| thorough as the review he gave yesterday
| speeding the day Of his return to private
| life.
The members OF the Marion county dele
| cation were 'up in the air. yesterday
| morning over the question of patronage
| From time immemorial IL has been the rule
| in the House that the Indianapolis repre.
sentatives shall be given the appointment
of the floor janitors and that these places
shall not count against them in the division
| OF the other jobs. However, the represent
| atives of another district bobbed UP yester-
| day with the claim that they had some col.
| ored men that they must place. and they
| entered strenuous objection to Marion
/ countys receiving all the janitorships and
| an equal share In the rest OF the plumber
| The word OF the revolt was speedily circu-
| lated among the representatives from this
city and Morgan, Harrington, Muir ct al