The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1907-01-15
Democrats Try to Prevent an
Increase of Helpers About
Senate Chamber.
ROEMLER LED MINORITY
REPRESENTATIVE RATLIFF NAM
ED TO GUARDIANSHIP OF THE
AGRICULTURAL COMMITTEE -
KIRkMAN HAS FARE BILL.
(By Demas S. Coe.)

Indianapolis, Ind, Jan. 1.-THE
general assembly is down to bus
mess basis The machinery in both
branches is now in good working or
der and as used the word machinery"
need not apply politically, for though
there may be instances of where ma
chine politics is to cut more or less
figure in the session, there has been
nothing up to date that indicates the
guiding hand of any band of profe;
sional lobbyists, that owe their influ-
ence to the powers that be-"
In the senate this afternoon, the mi
nority was heard from briefly, tbs true
but the twelve democrats present
made themselves felt though failed to
accomplish any great political coup.
Senator Roemler, of Indianapolis, pre-
sented resolution asking for the SEN
ate to ratify the action of the plunder
committee appointing number OF adj
ditional janitors and clerks, in order
that the business of the senate might
be facilitated. Senator Slack (Dem)
and the dethroned leader of the minor
ity bill, exercised the advantage which
his former experience as leader had
given him, and jumping to his feet,
asked that the resolution be referred
to a committee to investigate the need
of extra employees. Senator Cavins,
(Rep.) of Terre Haute, made the mo-
tion that Senator Slack's motion to
refer, be laid upon the table. On
viva voce vote the motion prevailed,
but before the lieutenant-governor
could so announce. Senator Slack was
back on his feet, shouting for the ayes
and noes. Senator Wood (Dem..)
seconded the demand. The roll call
was ordered, and by vote of 36 to IL,
a strictly party declaration, the mo-
tion to table Slack's motion to refer
for investigation, was carried The
resolution of Senator Roemler was
then put by the president and 1T pre-
vailed. The extras will be employed.
Senator Betz. of Crawford county,
not only the oldest democrat and the
Oldest member of either party in the
senate, but the man who has served at
intervals as either senator or repre-
sentative since 1877, longer than any
other member in either branch, came
bobbing up at this juncture with res
olution to the effect that a complete
list of employees of the senate be post
ed in conspicuous place within the
chamber Evidently the democrats
were looking for some opposition. hop
Ing thereby, to put the republicans in
the attitude of endeavoring to cover
up the long list of employees. The |
resolution was adopted without dis |
senting vote. The truth is Lieuten-
ant Governor Miller said this evening, |
that it was absolutely necessary to in |
crease the force of senate employees a |
half dozen, in order that business |
might be pushed. The same action |
was taken two, four and six years ago |
when it was found that the number of
employees provided by statute was not /
sufficient.
In the house this afternoon Speaker I
Branch named his committees for the
session Representative Walter S. /
Ratliff landed the craftsmanship of the
agricultural committee and was Civ
EN- membership on the. following COM
mittees. swamp lands. benevolent and
scientific institutions, roads and state
library. Representative Dick" Eli
oft, representing Wayne and Fayette
counties, was made chairman of the
committee on insurance, one of the
most important committees in the low
er branch.
= x X
Representative Ratliff's bill provid-
ing for an increase in the salary of the
state geologist. and also providing for
the issuing of bulletins from the de-
partment of geology at regular inter-
walls. was presented in the house this
afternoon.
X X X
Tomorrow morning in the senate,
Senator Kirkman will present rail-
road fare bill which in some respects
will differ from any of those introduc-
Continued On Page Four)