The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-02-13
Astute Gentleman from Fort Wayne
Found Too often I'm Republican
Camp, They Say.
GARD FEE AND SALARY BILL
IMPORTANT AMENDMENTS ADOPTED
AFTER EXHAUSTIVE DEBATE.
House Kills Three Bills, Among Them
Barber's Measure-Legislatfve
Routine Work and Gossip.

The high hopes of Senator James W. For
tune were dashed yesterday when the Sen
ate killed his railroad commission BILL
There are many ways Of slaughtering legis-
lative infants. but no better way has been
devised than recommitment TO a committee.
That was the particular bowstring applied
to the pet measure OF the kindly but ubiqui-
tous gentleman from Clark. The bill Is
dead. and IL will never be resurrected. 1t
ran against stone wall OF sentiment ap-
parently very unfriendly TO legislation
aimed at railroads and gave up the ghost.
The keenness of defeat was accentuated
for Senator Fortune because of the atti-
tude of Senator Fleming. On the floor of
the Senate the oral combat between the
two leaders was significant 1t marked an
open rupture, and the first public break
away of members OF the minority from
Fleming and Flemingism. Hitherto the
young man from Fort Wayne has had lit
tie difficulty in getting the Democrats in
Senate and House to do just about what
he wants, and his exhibitions OF energy are
always accompanied by valuable results
for Fleming: Yesterday Senator Fortune
limited strongly that for him there was no
more bowling to the domination Of Fleming
insinuated that Senator Fleming. while de-
manding constant support from the DEM
ocrats. nevertheless voted invariably as
he pleased without consulting anybody.
and that on many occasions he had gone
over to the Republicans on important meas
ures when every other Democrat was op-
posed.
FORTUNES GREAT FIGHT.
The bill which caused the somewhat sem
sational encounter between the two most
prominent figures, perhaps. on the minority
side, is known as Senate bill No. 1ss. IL
was introduced by Mr.. Fortune jan rs and
had stormy career. The bill provided for
the appointment OF commission consist
ing of two members TO be appoints
ed by the Governor. Each member
was 10 receive salary OF 5000,
with necessary expenses. and the total ex-
penses of the commission were to be no
more than $500 in any one year. The
duties of the commission were general I'm
nature and of the utmost Importance. Ill
complaints against railroads were to be In
vestgated, of whatever nature. Complaints
of defective rolling stock, defective bridges,
tracks. or OF damages from accidents. or OF
mistreatment OF employees. any of these
things were 10 be investigated by the CON-
mission. which was to report TO the clerk
for the guidance and information OF the
Judge.
The bill at once attracted the attention
of railroad attorneys and lobbyists. IL was
seen that the powers of the commission
were made very broad and that the fnan-
cial interests of railroads might be i'm
periled. campaign was at once planned
to defeat the measure. Every influence
was brought 10 bear. and, although Senator
Fortune made brilliant fight single-hand-
ed against powerful opposition, his strug-
ne hU
beat the attorney generals bill lined UP TO
kill the railroad bili The result was never
in doubt.
HE RIDDLED OGBoRN.
The senator from Jeffersonville, with bull
dog grit very characteristic of him. gave
them the fight of their lives He went into
the Senate committee on railroads. where
Ogborn, of New Castle, and Fleming, OF
Fort Wayne worked 10 throw out the bill
against railroads. He fought for his bill
i'm the committee room. but majority re-
port, signed by Ogborn, was brought into
the Senate favoring the indefinite post
ponement of the bill All alone Senator
Fortune brought in a minority report
recommending that the bill pass. Senator
Oeborn tried to ride rough shod over the
Gentleman from Je6ersonville. but I'm
the debate which followed Fortune literally
riddled him and he came out OF the en-
counter worsted and considerably shook
up. Senator Fleming, alarmed at Ogborn.s
failure TO present the side OF the railroads
with any advantage, tried to talk down
senator from Allen and Adams fell VIC
tim Mr.. Fortune accomplished the re-
markable feat OF having a minority report.
opposed by leading Republican senator
and presented by Democrat, adopted by
a decisive vote with the support of numer-
Gus Republican senator's. His victory was
remarkable. He gave sucn good reasons
for the passing OF his bill that Oeborn.
Fleming and the leaders OF the opposition
were made TO look small
But a long time elapsed between the VIC
tory on the report and the second reading
of the bill III gave the lobby change To
.et in its work. and Ogborn and Fleming
an opportunity to bring over 10 their side
Republican senators who had voted with
Fortune When Mr.. Fortune brought the
bill up for second reading yesterday they
were ready for him. The motion was made
Immediately that IL be recommitted 10 the
committe on railroads. Senator Fleming
declared that another bill OF the same ma
ture was pending and the committee de-
be made out Of the two measures His re-
marks were taken humorously by many OK
the senators. but the excuse. while specious.
was not lacking in cleverness.
Mr. Fortune violently opposed the mo-
tion He declared that there was no rea-
son why the bill should be reeommittea- TX
which railroads which violate the laws and
thereby cause the death or serious injury
Of HUNDREDS Of people every a year b sbss nsesSss
the bill would provide IL. he said. Here was
an opportunity to do something sane and
sensible and TO quit "four-hushing" about
the rights OF the people and so forth. ne
declared.
FLEMING GOT SARCASTIC.
Senator Fleming interrupted with a sar-
castle question. Fortune turned upon him
and stated fiatly that Fleming had mis-
treated him He intimated that IL was an
astonishing spectacle for a Democratic SEN
ator 10 introduce a bill advocated by his