REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES.
Mr. VEATCH, from the Judiciary Committee, returned the resolution of the House for an inquiry into the expediency of amending the 10th section of the Justices act, so as to give them jurisdiction to try and determine cases founded on contract and tort where the sum does not exceed $300with the expression of the opinion of the committee that it is inexpedient to legislate on that subject.
The report was concurred in.
Mr. VEATCH, from the same committee, returned the resolution of the House for inquiry into the expediency of amending the Practice act, so that all cases appealable from justices shall be tried on the papers, and reported the opinion that it is expedient to legislate on the subject.
The report was concurred in.
Mr. VEATCH, from the same Committee returned the resolution of the House for inquiry into the expediency of giving county commissioners power to levy taxes for public improvements, and reported" sufficient has been conferred by existing laws."
The report was concurred in.
Mr. VEATCH, from the same Committee returned the resolution for inquiry into into constitutionality and expediency of enacting a law permitting residents along turnpikes and plankroads to levy a tax on real estate for their construction and reported legislation inexpedient.
Mr. HAWORTH. The resolution require a report on the constitutionality of such legislation : and on his motion, the resolution was re-committed.
Mr. GRESHAM obtained leave of absence for the Military Committee for this afternoon.
Mr. FRASIER, from the Committee on County and Township Business, returned the resolution of the House for inquiry into the expediency of requiring the jails to be kept by the coroner, and reported-" inexpedient.
The report was concurred in.
Mr. HEFFREN obtained leave of absence from the select Prison Committee.
Mr. FRASIER, from the same Committee returned Mr. McLean's bill[H. R. 4,] to amend sections 70 and 71, of the assessment act of June 21st 1852, with an amendment requiring assessors to make their returns to the Auditor the first of March, instead of the last of May and limiting the time for the treasurer to call on the tax payers, from January to the 20th of February. He explained the object and effect of the amendments. It was desirable to give the county auditors longer time to make their returns.
[A Senate message announced a bill, and a concurrent resolution for the election of Public Printer this day at 2 o'clock.]
Mr. McLEAN. This bill had been asked for by many county auditors. The single principle of the bill was to shorten the time of making the assessors' returns, the change being from the first of June till the first of March-to give time to the auditors to make out the delinquent lists. The law requires the delinquent lists to be made in October. It was an important bill and should receive the attention of the House.
Mr. EDSON. While it was an advantage to the Auditor it was a disadvantage to the assessor, on the score of time.
Mr. McLEAN. The bill provides that the assessor may appoint assistants.
Mr. UNDERWOOD desired the bill to pass.
Mr. ROBBINS. The Auditors in his part of the State were anxious for this legislation. He did not think it would trammel the assessors.
Mr. FISHER. Another consideration in favor of this bill was a diminution in the expense making the assessment. Most of the assessor managed now to put in the whole time from January till June, and got their per diem. If compelled to make their returns in two months they would work better.
page: 91[View Page 91]Mr. KENDRICK. The assessor of this (Center) township, with one assistant, by working assiduously bad only time enough now.
Mr. CASON. In the large townships, the proposed provision was, that the assessor may employ as many assistants as needed. But the Auditor could only employ some two or three clerks to make the duplicate and delinquent list, because there was but one book. In many cases it was difficult and impossible for him to do his work from June to October.
Mr. VEATCH suggested amendments. The Board of Commissioners should be required to make their annual levy earlier, otherwise here would be little advantage from this bill. The thing would be out of joint. He suggested also, that the time for making out the delinquent lists be extended to November; and that the law requiring the Treasurers to go through the townships after the taxes ought to he repealed. It amounted to nothing, and made considerable expense.
Mr. WOODHULL concurred in these suggestions.
Mr. RAGAN proposed to amend by limiting the time of the assessors' returns to the first of April.
On motion by Mr. McLEAN, the bill and amendments were re-committed to the same Committee.
Mr. STOTSENBERG submitted two resolutions directing the select committee on Printing to report a bill requiring the Public Printer to furnish all the paper necessary for the public printing; also providing specifically for the number of journals of the House and Senate, and of the documentary journal, reports of the officers of State and of the benevolent institution's, to be printed, and making such other modifications of the law regulating the-duties of the Printer, as to prevent abuses in the public printing.
2. In order to give time for the preparation and perfection of a proper vote on the subject, resolved, that the election of a Public Printer be postponed till Thursday, the 81st day of January, 1861.
Mr. GRESHAM was in favor of letting the printing to the lowest responsible bidder. He had submitted a resolution to effect this, and a committee had been raised under it, but the House did not seem disposed to give the committee anything to do.
The resolution was rejected.
Mr. DOBBINS submitted an order that the Judiciary Committee inquire whether there is any law in force defining the offenses of fornication and adultery.
On motion by Mr. SMITH, of Bartholomew, it was laid on the table.
Mr. WOODHULL submitted an order, which was adopted, requiring the Judiciary Committee to inquire into the expediency of paying all officers and witnesses in criminal prosecutions the same fees as in other cases.
Mr. ROBBINS submitted an order, which was adopted, directing the Committee on Rights and Privileges to inquire into the expediency of making a residence of 60 days in the county and 30 days in the township necessary to constitute a voter.
