SPECIFIC APPROPRIATIONS.
The consideration of the bill [H. R. 439] making specific appropriations was resumed.
Mr. Fuller's motion to strike out all of such claims as pertain to ditching in Tipton County, was taken from the table.
Mr. THOMPSON said, in regard to this claim, that by resolution the whole matter was referred to a Commission composed of the Governor, Auditor and Secretary of State, which decided that the claim was a just one and should be paid. These old men in Tipton County labored thirteen years ago for the State, when they knew the money was was in the Treasury of the State to reimburse them for their work, but by some mismanagement of the Swamp Land Commissioners they have been kept out of that money for thirteen years. I say it is the duty of the Legislature to indorse the claim and pay these men.
Mr. McINTOSCH said this House requested an opinion of the Attorney General on this case, in which he said that the ditching was not done in accordance with the statutes and in conformity to law. It is simply a matter of whether or not this House will give these parties that much money, or whether you will refuse to grant the allowances as has been done heretofore.
On motion by Mr. KENNER, the motion was laid on the table--yeas, 53; nays, 28.
Mr. CAUTHORNE moved to allow the sum of $15,000 to build a new wing on the Soldiers' and Orphans' Home, and furnish the same. He said the Trustees having the Institution in charge say that they can not possibly provide for the comforts of the inmates, as the present facilities are wholly inadequate to accommodate the demands; that there are several hundred of the feeble-minded children throughout the State that ought to be in this Institution, but can not be accommodated.
On motion by Mr. GREGORY, the motion was laid on the table.
On motion by Mr. BUSKIRK, the vote was reconsidered by which the appropriation of $3,000 was made for heating apparatus for the Bloomington University. He spoke in support of a larger sum--the actual necessity for these improvements, etc.
Mr. TAYLOR, of Lagrange, was in favor of making the allowance, because it is an imperative necessity.
Mr. HUSTON realized the necessity of giving to this Institution some means by which they can protect themselves from fire and heat the building properly.
Mr. GILLUM said if the House went to heap upon this bill such amendments as this he would vote against it.
Mr. RYAN said: I have favored nearly everything in the way of education and in favor of educational institutions; but I am opposed to this increase to the this Institution for one reason at least, and that is that it is an unjust discrimination toward what I conceive to be the best educa- page: 180[View Page 180] tional institution in the State and of the most real benefit to the Institution. I refer to the State Normal School.
Mr. FULLER opposed the appropriation.
The motion was rejected--yeas, 32; nays, 54.
Mr. HINTON moved to allow Joseph Fitzpatrick $5 for arranging the hall of the House in the organization of the regular session.
The motion was agreed to.
Mr. MEREDITH moved to suspend House rule 35 for the purpose of considering item 19--appropriating $15,000 for the construction of a bath house in the State Prison North. He opposed allowing this vast amount for this purpose.
Mr. KENNER urged its allowance as an imperative necessity to keep from propagating disease and to the cleanliness of the Institution--the Prison paying several thousand dollars yearly over all appropriations.
The operation of the rule was suspended, and the motion to reconsider was agreed to.
Mr. MEREDITH moved to make the sum $5,000 in item 19 instead of $15,000.
Mr. WILSON, of Montgomery--It would be a great deal better for us not to appropriate any money at all than to appropriate this amount at all than to appropriate this amount, because it would be insufficient for the construction of the bath house, wash house and place of confinement for insane prisoners.
Mr. WRIGHT--The House of Representatives has now a splendid opportunity to save $10,000. It is my opinion that $5,000 will build a respectable bath-house and place for the confinement of insane prisoners. I am quite ready to indorse the jusgement of the of gentlemen from Fayette and Wayne (Messrs. Huston and Meredith) in reference to this matter.
Mr. SCHWEITZER said, as a member of the Prison Committee, he knew that this building is an absolute necessity, and the amount of $15,000 was no more than adequate to construct this building to fill all the requirments in this direction. To make a great hobby about saving $10,000 is nonsense. If you go to Illinois or other State Prisons you will find the improvements there in this direction.
The amendment fixing the amount at $5,000 was agreed to--yeas, 54; nays, 31.
Mr. EDWINS moved to amend the bill by making the salary of the Trustees of the Female Prison $300 each per year, and that $900 a year be appropriated for that purpose. He said: I offer this amendment in defense of the Trustees of the Female Prison, who are doing, and have done, more labor and hard work in this Institution than any other Trustees in the State of Indiana, and are paid the pitiable sum of $160 each. I say we ought to pay those who are industrious and have the ability to run the Institution something like it is worth. The Trustees of the Insane Hospital get $600, those of the Deaf and Dumb Institution $400, and so all along the line.
On motion by Mr. FULLER the amendment was laid on the table.
Mr. WILSON of Montgomery, moved to strike out all of item 7 in the specific appropriation bill and insert "$500 to the County of Marion." He said: "I understood that when the Legislature appropriated two millions of dollars to build a new State House, that there was a contract with the Board of Commissioners that they would furnish this building free of charge to the Legislature. I find in item 7 that the Committee on Ways and Means have allowed $1,500 for the Legislature of 1879, which that Legislature refused to pay, and also an item of $1,000 for this Legislature. I am opposed to that. If the Democratic Legislature of Indiana did not pay their debts, I do not think we should be called upon to pay them."
Mr. CAUTHORNE thought the item should not be stricken out. He admitted what the gentleman said in regard to furnishing rooms for the General Assembly, but that did not include all the necesary expenses, such as gas, fuel, wash bills, water, etc. Because the Legislature of 1879 failed to pay its honest debts is no reason why this body should do the same thing.
Mr. CARTER said: I understand that Marion County gave the rooms in which this Legislature is held rent free, but it was not expected that they should furnish all the gas, light, water, etc. As an act of justice I ask that you pay for these extra amounts, and for the Committee rooms. The Committee rooms used here are not included in that contract.
Mr. LINDLAY thought the bill should have been paid two years ago--that the Commissioners of Marion County have treated the State of Indiana magnanimously in giving the rooms which they have, and he said the State should pay its own expenses.
Mr. McSHEEHY said the contract with the County Commissioners was not to have all incidentals furnished, but simply the two large rooms for the General Assembly. He considered these outside affairs no part of, and not included in the contract, and hoped the amount would be allowed.
Mr. HAMILTON favored the allowance.
Mr. RYAN spoke in favor of making the allowance.
Mr. CARR of White, quoted from the contract with the Commissioners, in which they agreed to "furnish rooms for the General Assembly," but contains nothing relative to light, fuel, etc.
The motion to strike out was laid on the table--yeas, 47; nays, 33.
The bill was considered engrossed--yeas, 52; nays, 25--read the third time and passed by yeas, 53; nays, 39.
Pending the roll-call--
Mr. HAMILTON said: "There are some things in this bill I object to; but rather than not have the appropriation, at all, I vote aye."
Mr. SCHWEITZER said: "I was here two years ago, and I never opposed a specific appropriation bill, but this year I have to against the bill on account of the Martin claim of $45,000, which two years ago was only $10,00. If you look back the old record of two years ago you will find that the claim then was $10,000, and now, since Mr. May, the architect, is dead, he comes here with a claim of $45.000. It is an imposition and a steal. Therefore, I vote nay."
Mr. CARR, of White, thought it wrong for State to refuse to pay any claim that was legitimate and just. The bill was not in a proper condition, but trusting that the Senate will make necessary changes, he voted "aye."
Mr. O'NEAL said there were things in the bill which he was utterly opposed to, but but thinking that the State and public welfare will suffer without this appropriation, he voted "aye."
So the bill passed the House.
