POLICE JUDGE FOR INDIANAPOLIS.
The bill [H. R. 34] to provide for the election of a Police Judge in cities of 60,000 inhabitants and page: 77[View Page 77] over, being read the second time, with a Committee report recommending amendments--
Mr. VAN VORHIS said if the fees of a Police Judge were turned to the Police Judge, the Mayor of Indianapolis would receive a salary of $1,800. The Committee reported favorable to limiting the salary to $2,000.
Mr. FOSTER did not like to array himself against the Senators from this County, if they are both in favor of this bill, but the people of Indianapolis, in his judgment, do not desire the passage of this bill.
Mr. VAN VORHIS--There is not a member of the Board of Aldermen or Common Council of the city, either Democrat or Republican, but recognizes the necessity for this bill, and advocates its passage. A few oppose it, but as a general rule the people favor it.
Mr. FOSTER had seen a list in the hands of a gentleman of the highest integrity, showing that out of 120, 108 of the legal profession in this city have signed a remonstrance against the passage of this bill. That fact alone should go a great way in influencing Senators in voting upon the bill. It is simply a bill to create a new office for another party man to step into at the expense of the people. If he did not honestly believe the people of Indianapolis were opposed to this bill he would not take a stand against it. The merchants of this city also have largely signed a petition against this bill.
Mr. VAN VORHIS said he had a petition signed by a large number of business men in favor of this bill. The Committee to which this bill was referred had before it both petitions and remonstrances, and on the petition will be found a number of names which were signed to the remonstrance under a misapprehension. A good many lawyers signed the remonstrance also under a misapprehension--the misapprehension being that there would be a considerable increase in expenses because of the creation of this office. The bill provides that the Police Judge shall get nothing but fees, and if a salary is given it shall not exceed $1,800, and that is about what the fees would be It would be to the interest of the tax-payer to fix the salary as the pay of the Police Judge, for the fees have amounted to more than $2,500 per annum for the two years past. It is utterly impossible, in a city so large as this, for the Mayor to perform the duties of Police Judge, and at the same time perform the executive duties of a Mayor.
Pending the consideration of this bill came a recess until 2 o'clock p. m. .
