The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-15
sharp Debate I'm the senate on john
ston's Bill Fixing Penalty for
Criminal Assault.
DAYS ROUTINE IN THE HOUSE
IT DID NOT ACCOMPLISH ANYTHING
OF STARTLING NATURE.
Senate and House Committees Hold
Important Meetings-Routinc
Proceedings.


Senator Fremont Goodwine, of williams
port, introduced in the Senate yesterday
morning a bill TO reorganize the govern
ment OF the Reformatory at Jeffersonville.
Its purpose is TO oust the present board
of managers and the general superintend-
ent, Joseph S. Byers, appointed by the
board after the sudden resignation OF Alvin
T. Hert without the customary courtesy
of notifying the Governor
The surprising action Of the board, which
by many regarded as a slap at the
Governor, led to the general belief that
some action should be taken by the Gen.
eral Assembly toward reorganization
that would bring the management of the
institution into harmony with the execu-
tive. AT that time the Governor intimated
strongly TO the two members of the board
appointed by him-John G. Williams, OF
Indianapolis, and John s. MDonald, OF
New Albany-that their designations would
be cheerfully received. They refused after
a conference with the other members OF
the board. The bill introduced by Sena-
tor Goodwine has the approval of the
Governor, and the sentiment in the Senate.
so far can be gathered from casual
expressions. is that IL should pass.
The bill is entitled, An Act TO Abolish
the Offices of the Board OF Managers and
of General Superintendent of the Indiana
Reformatory at Jeffersonville Creating the
Offices of a Board OF Control and of
superintendent"
WHAT 1T PROVIDES.
1t is provided that the change in gov
ernment shall be made Immediately upon
the appointment of the board of control,
which shall consist of three members. in
stead of four, as the board Of managers
is constituted. No more than two MEM
bers of the new board are 10 be from the
same political party. The members of the
first board are to serve one year, two
years and three years, respectively. in
order that an appointment may be made
each year by the Governor in the future.
The further provision is that the Governor
shall fill all vacancies and shall have
power of removing any member for mis-
conduct or neglect of duty.
The members OF the board are to serve
for $500 year. with an allowance of 500 a
year for expenses, and they shall have
general charge ana supervision of the Re-
formatory. The conduct OF the Reforma-
tory shall be strictly upon nonpartisan
Section specifies that all contracts en-
tered into By the board of managers shall
be carried out by the board OF control
There was some gossip that an attempt
would be made TO take from the suppIy
companies in which Alvin L. Hert Is inter
s estea IN a9e eohtaae.s ht., ,y .hey now enjoy be
the established custom that the Governor
should be apprised of an intended resigna-
ton or that nature and because IL was said
TO the Governor that Mr.. Hert induced
the board of managers to appoint Byers
without first informing the Governor of
the intended action. Just how Hert's con-
puzzle, since IL is provided that existing
contracts shall not be disturbed The opin-
ion in State offices is. however. that a way
4. Hert is interested are Louisville con-
Germs that have valuable contracts with
the board of managers for supplies.
Under Section the removal OF Byers is
made possible. Ii abolishes the office of
general superintendent and creates the
office of superintendent.
The final section of the bill provides that
the law relating to the Reformatory shall
not be changed i'm any way except in so
far as the bill reorganizes the government.
WILL PROBABLY PASS.
1t is considered probable that the bill
will go through the Senate and the House
by handsome majority. The committee
on reformatories will take up consideration
of the bill at once.
The present members of the board OF
managers of the Reformatory whom the
bill affects are: Charles f. Shively Repub-
lican, Richmond, president OF the board.
whose term expires March %. 1905; ID. ].
Terhune. Democrat. Linton, March =. 1904:
John G.. Williams, Democrat. indianapolis.
April 9, 1905, and John =. Mcdonald OF
New Albany. Republican, March y. 1896.
The Reformatory bill together with the
bill introduced by Mr.. Parks. OF Plymouth.
providing that oleomargarine shall not be
used I'm State institutions i'm place OF but
ter. were interesting details of business in
the Senate
Senator Parks's measure is sweeping. and
provides that any warden. superintendent
or official of a State institution that gives
oleomargerine TO prisoner or inmate shall
be fined for each offense not less than SIS
nor more than 500. TO which imprisonment
not TO exceed ninety days in the county Jail.
at the discretion of the jury. may be
added.
Senator Parks had an Investigation made
with "A view TO finding what kind OF but
ter the wards of the State are being fed
The surprising fact was discovered that OUT
of thirteen institutions visited twelve serve
oleomargerine In place OF butter. The meas
ure drawn by the senator from kosciusko
and Marshall is almost identical with the
Michigan law making IL misdemeanor to
substitute oleo for butter.
The session OF the Senate yesterday morn
ing was the most interesting yet held. Sharp
debate on the bill fixing the punishment for
criminal assault at death, the introduction
OF a resolution relative to the naming OF the
proposed army post and a resolution CALI
ing upon the attorney general to investigate
the coal situation were the principal items
of business. Fourteen new bills were in
troduced. some OF special interest.
NAMING OF ARMY POST
Senator Starr. OF Richmond. commander
of the c. A. r. of the State. introduced
a resolution providing that the General
Assembly recommend the name Hackleman
be given TO the proposed army post at In
dianapolis i'm honor OF the late Gen. Pleas
ant A. Hacklenan. The text OF the resoiu-
tion follows: