South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-01-07
Lieut.. Gov. 0'NeiIl Opens the
Senate and SeC'y of State
Cook PreSideS Over House at
Initial Meeting.
PLAN TO ADJOURN To
HEAR WILSON'S SPEECH
Lawmakers Likely to Resume
Session on MOnday-FirSt
Day Occupied by 0rganiza-
tiOn and RaIStOr Message.

INDIANAPOLIS. Ind. Jan. The
bi-yeary law-making period Of 81
days began at 10 O'Clock this morn
ing when Lieut.. Gov. O'Neiu in the
state senate and Sec'y of state Cook
in the house, called 10 order the two
branches of the siXty-ninth general
assembly. The election of officers Of
both houses which had already been
arranged by caucus and the reading
by Gov Ralston of his message 10
the legislature were the only things
on the program for today's session.
It was planned 10 adjourn this
afternoon until Monday. The legis-
lators viii remain in the city over
tomorrow at least 10 hear the address
of Pres't Wilson in Tomlinson hall
tomorrow afternoon. The president
who is r. taking a special trip from
Washington To this city. will arrive
here early tomorrow. lie will be
the guest Of the Indiana Democratic
club at a brief reception and viii re-
turn 10 Washington early tomorrow
evening.
Galleries Filled.
The galleries were full OF visitors
for the opening of the house and
many crowded about the downstairs
ratings TO see the legislature get un-
der way. Following the prayer by
the Rev. Joshua Stansfeld. Herman
L. Coulter, deputy secretary OF state.
called the roll of the members of the
house A quartet. under the direc-
tion Of Homer Van VIE of Indian
apolis then sang "On the Banks OF
the Wabash and responded to an
encore with America"
Following these parts of the pro-
gram the secretary Of state called for
nominations for speaker Of the house
and the organization Of the house was
completed. after the new speaker OF
the legislature took the chair
Following the organization OF the
house. the senate. already organized.
by the caucus Tuesday night was
scheduled to come TO the house in a
body 10 hear Gov RalstOn deliver
his message in person. II was planned
for the house TO pass the regular ap-
the legislature. In the governors
message he pleaded that his bill
should not exceed S115. 900 in total.
Adopts Committee Report.
The house adopted, verbatim, the
report Of its special committee, ap-
pointed at its December meeting here
to ascertain the proper number OF
employees and the proper sort for the
coming session.
The report provided for efficient
service. distributed TO the democratic
members of the house, 61 in number.
the appointments 20 be made through
a committee OF five democratic mem
bers. appointed by the speaker, ''tO
be known as the employment com
mittee and who shall be authorized
to employ the assistants necessary
TO dismiss any appointee for inefh-
cheney and for any other good cause
Each democratic member is en-
titled TO one employe for period OF
81 days.
The report says
The following officers and assist
ants shall constitute the employees or
the house Of representative in adci-
ton to the chief clerk assistant clerk
and chief doOrkeeper elected by the
house. TO wit: one file clerk, one
reading clerk. one register clerk, one
endorsing clerk. two engrossing
clerks. one minute clerk. one princi-
pal journal clerk. eight assistant and
copying clerks. eight committee
clerks. one postmaster. fifteen door
keepers eight pages, and eight sten-
ographers The speaker should be
authorized TO appoint 10 10 exceed
eight additional assistants If the work
OF the house should require H.
salary l. SO a Day.
The salary Of the chief clerk chief
doorkeeper and assistant clerk is dXed
at Sc a day and the salary OF the
other assistants is fixed at s. day.
The superintendent of buildings and
property John y. Shea, is authorized
to appoint a force 10 keep the house
clean.
Immediately after the swearing I'm
Of the members OF the legislature. the
house settled down 90 the routine
business OF electing it's officers who
We're chosen at last nights meeting
Of the democratic members OF the
lower branch of the assembly. The
choice Of Charles r. Bedwell of Sulli-
van for the speakership, was the first
victory OF the state administration.
Bedwell won over Mason j. Niblack
OF Nincennes by a vote ~ 20 10 IL
The administration purposes were
defeated IN the senate boz the election
Of Wade II Free Of Anderson. -
secretary OF that body.
Other Officers Chosen.
The other officers elected in the
house were
clerk. Arthur J. Hamrick Green
Castle.
Assistant clerk. II. a. Gardner
Logansport
chief doorkeeper. Joseph A. Luth-
er. South Bend
Caucus chairman. Rep John E.
Jones Plymouth.
Caucus secretary. Rep Phillip
Lutz. Jr. Boonviile
The other officers elected in the
senate were.
Assistant secretary. Harry b skill
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