The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1913-01-31
DEMOCRATS UNABLE
TO STEM THE TIDE
Phe Progressive Party Move
ment Brings Effect
i've Results.
ATTITUDE OF LABOR
Toward Compensation Bill
Bull Moose Footprints
Are Shown.
ATTITUDE OF LABOR
palladium Specially

INDIANAPOLIS, Jan. 31.-For
prompt and effective results the Pro-
gressive party movement Of the late
campaign promises to eclipse any sim
liar movement in the history of Indi-
ana politics. When it was known that
Beveridge had beaten Durbin and
Roosevelt had beaten Taft in the No
vember election the result was hailed
as a victory of great importance and
and bearing both by Progressives and
Democrats.
After thirteen days of the sixty
eighth session of the Indiana General
Assembly the impress of the Progress
sive party movement in Indiana is
even more apparent. The tendency Of
the Democratic legislature is decided
ly and emphatically progressive, how
ever far it may fail ultimately to give
the people the free measure of relief
demanded. Under the banners of the
Lord, the Arma geddonites fought a
valiant fight and the power of their
propaganda of industrial and social
justice has, at least, been more i'm
mediate than the original gospel
Balk as they may at the initiative
referendum and recall, the Democrats
are not able to stem the popular tide
in their favor and before the session
is finished they will be compelled to
60 on record against them even
though considerable element of the
Democratic party is favorable. The
drift is seen in the provision the party
will make probable tor a constitutions
al convention. The postponement of
convention until 1915, after the people
have had an opportunity to say wheth-
er they want convention is inspired
not by any doubt in the minds of the
legislators that the people do want
constitutional revision, but by the pol
icy of retrenchment and the unpre-
paredness of the state to meet the ex-
penses of a convention forthwith.
Gov. Ralston is heartily in favor of a
constitutional convention and only the
condition of the states finances will
prevent his insistence that the con-
vention be called by the legislature of
1913. The Stotesenburg bill providing
for a vote on the question of calling
constitutional convention in the gen.
passed.
1t is practically assured that the
general assembly will pass public
utilities bill with teeth in it, The bill
drafted by committee selected by
Gov. Ralston is practically identical
with the Shively bill which is copied
from the Wisconsin act. This bill will
be introduced in the house today by
Rep. Spencer, Democratic floor leader
The unsophisticated may wonder why
the Shively bill was cast aside for an
other bill almost identical with it, The
reason lies in the fact that Sen. Shive-
ay is not extremely popular with the
powers in control of legislation and it
was sought to deprive him of the
credit for authorship of the successful
measure. The bill will probably bear
the name of Rep. Spencer.
Confers With Tageart.
Edgar A. Perkins, president of the
State Federation of Labor, held
terday regarding the workman's COM
pensation bill expoused by union labor
Very probably this dill will De the ba-
sis of the measure passed. 1t was writ
ten by Henry w. Bullock, union labor
attorney, and A. G. Cavins, counsel for
the Indiana Manufacturers and Ship
pers association.
The blue sky bill drafted by w. w.
Hornbrook, representing indianapolis
investment houses, appears to have the
best chance of passage, This bill would