The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-02-11

amend the measure by striking out the
retroactive clause and make the bill take
effect Jan. 1. 1903. In it's present form the
bill will reimburse former sherifs and
clerks back until Jan. l, 1900. Mr.. Stookey's
amendment was tabled by a vote Of 60 to "a
i'm the face of the argument that its adop-
ton would save the taxpayers of the State
over $4,000. and the committee amendment
was then concurred in and the bill ad-
vanced TO engrossment.
MORE PROLONGED FIGHT.
The House had a second and even more
prolonged fight during the forenoon over
Mr.. Loops bill prohibiting the hunting of
quail for period of three years from and
after the taking effect of the law. The bill
came up on third reading, and it was finally
passed by the close vote of So to IS after
the fioodgates of oratory had been opened
for an hour for the edification of the gal
leries and the amusement of the members
themselves.
Mr.. Morgan, of Marion, made the OPEN
ing speech against the bill. He seemed TO
be misconstrued, and he prefaced his speech
with the declaration: Il do not come here
TO oppose this bill city dude or any
tnlng or that sort. 1t is always expected
that opposition 10 bill of this kind comes
from city fellows who want to get out with
gun and dog and hunt all over the coun-
try whenever 1t suits them. l am opposed
nave the right TO hunt on his own farm
whenever he wants to-"
Mr.. Boyd. of Putnam, supported the
measure. II am in favor of this BILL he
said, because L am opposed to the killing
OF quail, the beautiful, little brown birds,
at any time and under any circumstances.
why should man ruthlessiy siay the IN
nocent little friends of the farmer? He
does not need them for food. He cannot
plead self-defenSe. The desire to hunt Is a
residual instinct that remains in us from
nf init i've VIZ a.
cured his food and clothing as the trophies
OF the chase. Why should the man of to-
day cultivate and foster these brutal In
stincts that the race in civilized commune
ties should have forgotten century ago?
You have no right to kill any animal UNI
less you need it for food, or unless your
defense.
Il cannot understand why any man
should want to kill such an innocent, such
a beautiful and such a useful little bird as
the quail. l should like to see the bill
changed so that it would prohibit the hunt
ing OF these birds for all time to come, but
it should be passed as it is by al, means,
ated with applause and he had evidently
struck popular chord.
FARMER INTERESTS.
Yesterday was Mr.. Adair's day to repre-
sent the farmer interests of Jay county, or
at least he so declared in opening his
speech in opposition to the bill. few days
since Mr.. Adair spoke for the commercial
interests of his county but he apparently
believes in giving every interest it's day.
Mr.. Adair declared that he was not blood
thirsty, that he was not hunter and that
he couldn't hit flock of barns with a
double barreled shotgun, but he was OPP
posed to the bill because his farmer con-
stituents did not want any change in the
present law.
Mr.. Robertson. on the other hand, said
that the farmers of his county wanted the
bill passed and that he would support it.
Mr.: Baird. who said that he was from the
rural districts and that he believed that
bill He made an effective plea for the
quail and closed with sort of "Woodman.
spare that tree peroration, in which he
said: THE little brown bird has been a
great friend of mine since early boyhood,
and 1 want to do all l can for him now.
Let's eat chickens for the next three years
and give the little brown fellow a chance. -
Mr.. Stookey opposed the bill although
he said he would favor the reducing of the
open season, and he offered motion to re-
commit with the purpose Of securing such
tually a new bill, but HIS motion was
tabled and the bill was placed on its pas
sage.
During the roll call Mr. Sayre took occa-
sion to explain his vote by saying that he
had not formed a very decided opinion
about the bill. I'm not a sportsman" he
SAID, ana haven't very exalted opinion
of any one who is, but for once 1 desire to
get in line with the gentleman from john
son, and If he will indicate how he would
like to have me vote on the bill I'll vote
that way.
Vote ayei" shouted Slack across the
hall, and the member from Wabash voted
for the bill.
Nearly every member took occasion to
explain his vote. At the close Of the roll
CALL when it was thought that the bill had
passed, Morgan and Stookey changed their
votes from no to aye. 1t is probable that
they contemplate making an effort to re-
consider the vote some time to-day.
Just before adjournment for noon Mr..
Sayre offered a motion to reconsider the
vote by which House bill No. TO- increasing
the state school tax levy from IL to 16 cents,
was passed on Monday. The motion was
entered of record and action on it will be
taken later. Under the rules a motion to
reconsider any action must be made on the
same day or the day following that the
action was taken.