South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-12-25
Many Possibilities Developed
During Past Week and
Winner in Dispute
Still in Doubt.
One DEMOCRAT PLANS TO
CONTEST OPPONENTS SEAT
Victory for Eikman and Illness
of Sen. Porter Would Put
the Democrats in the
Majority.
News Times Special Service:

News Times Special Service:
INDIANAPOLIS Ind. Dec. "a
Political Interest in Indiana still
continues TO center around the ses-
sion Of the coming senate. II is the
big enigma Of the situation and
about il revolves the problems Of
statewide prohibition, woman
outrage. the liquor issue and prac-
tically every platform pledge Of
either of the big parties In Indi-
ana.
Sudden shifts in the lists OF posi-
bilities surrounding the senate
came last week and at the close
no one mere was certain what party
would be in control OF the body or
what laws would he enacted by the
legislature. because of the peculiar
situation. which has been created by
the election Of % republicans and
- democrats 20 the body.
Defy the Democrats.
The republican senators met here
saturday and defied the democrats
TO do their worst to block legisla-
tion They determined 10 gObble up
every bit of patronage that the SEN
ate is heir 10 and 20 take and hold
every political plum that may ap-
pear during the legislature state
chairman VIII II Hays Of the re-
publicans sounded the keynote TO
the meeting, when he declared that
the republicans would be in con-
troll. with Edgar u. Bush. lieuten-
ant governor. voting with them and
that the republican party would be
held responsible for the enactments
of the legislature. Under such con-
ditions. the republican leader as
certed. the republicans would go
ahead and organize the senate
maintaining that the vote OF Mr.
Bush would officially hold good TO
break n tie on any question
The republicans were fortified in
this position by an opinion from
Ralph Kane Of Noblesville. former
is a republican state senator Kane
who is said TO have made a study
of the peculiar situation existing in
the senate. gave an opinion 10 the
republicans. in which he advised
them 20 50 right ahead and grab
everything in sight" Kane advised
them that Bush's vote could count
when a bill was up for passage. just
as properly as at any other time. and
that his vote would give them con-
troll or the upper house
Surprise i'm store.
Meanwhile there possibly is a sur
prise or two up the sleeves Of the
democratic statesmen here. A dozen
proposals for circumventing the re-
pubHcans have been made bit grad
ually each has been set aside I'm its
proper niche. 10 be tried out when
the legislature Convenes here Thurs
day. Jan 4 Among the latest re-
ported plans OF the democrats 70
obtain control OF the upper house
ard thus split the legislature so that
democratic legislation could be fore
ed through I'm Just as great measure
as republican statutes. are two which
are worth discussing.
one is based on the theory that
Sen. Porter. a republican OF Wash
ington. Ind. Is i'll and possibly will
be able to attend but a few sessions
OF the senate. II he were kept away
the democrats would control. unless
Lieut. GOV. Bush's claims 20 n vote
were upheld. Then a tie would re-
suit again.
VIII Contest Election.
Another possibility lies in the fact
that il was reported here today that
sen Edward Eikman of New Pal
estine. Hancock county. viii con
test the election OF Lem p Dobyns
of Greensburg. a republican. who
was elected az the recent election
ON the theory that Zen Eikman's
term had expired.
As a matter or fact Eikman was
elected after Cary Jackson. a dem
ocratic senator OF Nashville. had re-
signed. following the 1915 session.
Eikman. republicans contend was
elected only 90 nn out JacKson's
term Eikman coutends-and n il
CONTINUED On PAGE TWO