South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-02-04
APPROVE Of
CONSTITUTION
AMENDMENTS
Following Adjournment COP.
Senators Hold Conference
in Supreme Court
Chambers.

INDIANAPOLIS Ind, Feb. A.
Introduction OF the administration
| bill placing the inspection of oil
| within the food and drug depart =
IEent and approval of four of Ser.
! EnsliSh's proposed amendments TO
the constitution were the centers OF
interest az a short session OF the
senate this afternoon.
The oil inspection bill would be-
come effective oct l, 1919. For
conducting the inspection the food
and drug commissioner would re-
ceive $1,000 and his deputies, OF
whom there would be about 10.
would receive 1925 a month and
/ travelling expenses. All fees COLI
/ lccted by the commissioner would
hc paid over TO the state.
The amendments passed provide
| for the Increase of terms OF county
prosecutors to four years. that the
legislature may fix qualifications for
persons admitted to the bar and
that the number of supreme court
Judges shall I've increased 10 not
more than / 5 nor less than six
Immediately following adjourn
,nent the republican senators adj
journed TO the supreme court cham
her for a conference on the two
proposed amendments scheduled 20
come up tomorrow afternoon as a
special order of business, providing
for the appointment Of clerk CT the
supreme court and superintendent
OF public instruction.
Refuse to Discuss Actions.
Although the senators refused 10
discuss their actions. il was known
that Sen. Rats previously has con-
sideroj proposing TO revise the joint
resolutions tC provide only that the
legislature may create these two Of
fees by Hesitation. This. Sen RaJts
explained, was 10 make the amend
ments conform with the platform.
1t was intimated that the repub-
iicans agreed 10 this idea aud that
they viii amend the joint resolutions
to this end.
Nothing was said at the confer
ence, as far as could be learned to-
night, regarding a steering commit
tee OF republican senators to push
administrator measures through
the upper body. 1t was said, how
ever. that platform legislation will
not suffer from lack OF it,
Because of faulty construction.
the two proposed constitutional
amendments making the terms o.
state officers four years and simpli-
flying the method OF further consid-
Grafton. When these were placed on
their passage today. II was pointed
out that the former would include
members Of the house of represent
atives. The latter will be changed
TO provide that amendments must
be referred 70 a second general as
sembly and ratified by a majority OF
persons voting at a special or gen
eral election.
Commercial Bribery"
Tipping Is defined as commercial
bribery" and is punishable by a fine
Of 81 to 500 AMI a sentence of
year or less in jail Under a bill in
trOduced by Sen. Negley. The bill
was drawn to abolish the practice
of statesmen in buying their way into
the offices of purchasing agents, bat
il also would apply TO walters, bar
hers ami bell l'oys. Both the giyer
and receiver CT the tip would be
punishable.
Rep. JohDson's bill granting pres
idential suffrage 10 women passed
20 engrossment. X likely will come
up for passage within a few days.
-Four administration constitutional
amendments also passed to en-
Grossment They provide that the
legislature may classify counties for
registration of voters; that the leg
islature may classify property for
taxation: that the governor may
veto items Of appropriations bills.
and that the governors office shall
operate on IN executive budget. The
shot firers bill passed second read
ing without amendment.
Othcr Bills Introduced.
other bills introduced include
Two by Hogston, prohibiting publie
officials from appropriating money
belonging 10 their deputies ami
making public officials responsible
or their bonds for the collection of
fees; by Rracken, authorizing the
commitment Ivy court of youths OF
six 10 &c years of age 10 the school
for feeble mirded youths; by Nc
Cray. prohibiting justices OF tho
peace from having any Jurisdiction
except preliminary hearing over mo-
florists. by Bowers, providing THAI
persons may lay property improve
ment assessments on easy install
ments not TO go below 10 percent OF
the principal each year.
The McCray bill is aimed at jus
tees OF the peace who haul motor
lsrts into court on a charge OF speed
ing through many small towns OF
the state.
Sen. Bowers presented a resoIu-
lion OF the city council of Fort
Wayne asking that the public sery-
ice commission be abolished. and
that the control of public utilities
he retained to cities. Bowers also
presented a petition from a Fort
wayne n7ouiders' union against the
garnishee bill.
Among other petitions was one
prese nted by Sen. Mckinley from
Anna b. Wallace. of Muncie. pro-
,~-ss,U agasuSf laua linn S-tr1. !.