The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-02-05

ing enabled TO connect small links In south
ern Indiana with its general system"
Although Senator Gray maintains that
the bill will probably affect the Illinois
Central more than any other road, the
general belief is that it will work well for
other railroads that may have difficulty
In getting a clear title to Indiana links
OF their systems. The bill. however. has
not so far been subjected TO the criticism
that was directed against the Joss measure.
for the reason that ii has been declared
there will be no obstacle toward instituting
suit for damages in the courts OF Indiana.
The reason the Governor vetoed the Joss
bill was that the provisions of the measure
made 1t impossible for any one damaged
In any way by railroad to sue in the
courts OF the State. and since a suit could
not be carried to the Federal Court in an
against railroad in small sums were prac-
tically cut off altogether by the terms OF
the Dill. Senator Gray says that this bill
Is not open TO that objection, and that the
only purpose of the bill is TO give the Illi-
nois Central and other roads that may
come under the provisions a clear title TO
referred 10 the copmittee on railroads.
and IT will doubtless occupy a large part OF
public attention for some time to come.
Inc Senate spent good part OF its time
Wolcott's bill to establish a negotiable in
strument law uniform with the laws OF
other States. The bill was introduced by
Senator Wolcott at the request of the State
BANKERS Association. In a word, IL broad
ems the field of negotiable paper and makes
almost any sort of written acknowledgment
oil debt, to which man signs his name.
negotiable. 1t also abolished the three
days of grace now allowed on negotiable
paper.
DAVIS AGAINST wOLCOTT BILL.
Senator Wolcott called up the bill on third
reading. but further action was warmly OPP
posed by Senator Davis. of Greene, who
spoke for half an hour against the bill In
it's present form. Senator Davis said that
II the bill were to be amended sufficiently
he might be in favor of it, but he pointed
out objections which he believed were too
serious to let go by without cognizance of
ator Davis said:
Commercial paper. or notes and bills
that might pass from hand to hand, so as
to cut off such defenses as fraud, want of
consideration, set off, ETC., in the hands of
a holder in due course of business, is now
by statute In Indiana limited to notes and
bills payable to order or bearer in bank
Indiana has thus far limited the privileges
of commercial paper to notes and bills pay
able in bank. is that this being an agricul-
manufacturing State, and there being such
a large number OF the population OF linn
tied business experience, 1t has been desir-
able to largely limit the class OF paper that
off defenses in order to protect unwary
persons from the fraud and imposition OF
sharpers. The present bill. by leaving out
the phrase payable to order or bearer In
bank in this State very largely widens the
class of commercial paper and opens the
door to fraud and imposition.
This bill goes even further than the
Of grace, allows an infant TO make valid
sale of note without reference to the i'm
providence of his act, allows thief by
forging the payee's name to pass good title
to the stolen paper when payable TO order,
or, without the forgery. to pass good title
if the paper is payable to bearer. 1t al
lows a note not originally made payable
bearer with all the privileges of CONNER
cial paper, as against the original maker
and without his knowledge or consent. by
bill or note which is for any reason not
finally executed by delivery. shall never
theless. by accident or stealth, get out of
the possession of the maker. it can under
this bill, In the hands Of a holder In due
course, be collected from such maker"
Senator 'Wolcott stated his willingness to
have the bill delayed for further consid-
Grafton. and it was made the special order
OF business for Feb. IL, at 1920 o'clock. The
bill is recognized to contain many good
features and the sentiment is that Indiana
should have a negotiable instrument law
uniform with the laws of other States; but
there is an impression that the bill as now
worded is dangerous. and an attempt will
be made to amend 1t that the features
objected to by Senator Davis and others
will be cut out Of it.
BARRIERS BILL PASSED.
The Senate passed Senator Balls BARRIERS
bill yesterday after prolonged discussion.
Senator Wampler sought to amend the bill
by provision requiring present BARRIERS to
be examined. as well as BARRIERS to come.
He declared he had talked with the lead
ing BARRIERS of indianapolis and that they
were all in favor of a law making for the
examination of BARRIERS to secure a proper
degree of fitness legal.
Senator Ulrey humorously declared he
would have supported the bill If Senator
De Ravens amendment to the effect that
carried. If the bill should result i'm the
displacement of colored BARRIERS Senator
Ulrey declared he was in favor of its pass
ing. The senators took occasion to indulge
in facetious remarks concerning whiskers.
and several amusing hits were made con.
corning members of the chamber that in
dulge in liberal displays OF hirsute appen-
dages.
On vote Mr.. Wampler's amendment wa
lost and the bill was passed in it's original
form by vote of 81 to IL.
BILLS PASSED IN SENATE.
Among the bills passed by the Senate
yesterday were Senator Askren's bill legal
izing the election of county clerks In In
diana; Senator Barlows bill to prevent coun-
ty councils from voting county officers ad-
ditional salary; Senator Cards bill chang
ing the name of the Indiana Reform School
for Boys, and Senator Fortunes bill to
amend the act concerning the organization
and perpetuity of voluntary associations
Over the Barlow bill there was consider
able debate. Senator Barlow explained that
the bill was intended to prevent county OFF,
GERS from voting themselves more salary.
He gave several instances where county
officers. and he expressed the view that
this was junction that should be enjoyed
by the Legislature exclusively. The bill
got through by a very narrow shave. There
were number OF the senators absent from
the chamber when the vote was taken. and
only the energetic action of Senator Elem
ing, Senator Ogborn and others secured it's
passage. Senator's were hustled i'm from
the ante-rooms until enough had been Sc
cured to put the bill through.
In addition to the bill 10 give Indianapo-
lis Sunday baseball. the committees of the
Senate reported back the following bills:
House bill No. 81 by Representative Suits.
to legalize and make valid all the rules
town of Warren, Huntington county; Sem
ate bill No. 250. by Mr.. Bell, giving the
towns of Hammond. Whiting and East
Chicago the right to construct sewe-s by
mutual action Senator Bells BILL creating
school corporations i'm cities of over 3 40
and less than $500 population and senator
kittingers bill increasing the pay of the
policemen of Anderson.
The following House bills were reported
to the Senate and referred to the proper
committees: No. 55 public libraries; No lis.
city of Indianapolis; No. l2i, military af-
fairs; No. los, labor; No. 145, cities and
towns. and No. 27s, organization of courts.
There was a raft of petitions intro
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