IN SENATE.
FRIDAY, February 1, 1861.On motion by Mr. CONNER, the House amendment to his bill, [S. 97] introduced and passed yesterday, was read and concurred in.
Mr. JONE.S presented resolutions adopted by a late Union meeting in Columbus, proposing a National Convention, &c.,which were read and referred to the Committee on Federal Relations under the rule.
PETITIONS WERE PRESENTED
By Mr, CRAVENS, from citizens of Jeffer page: 150[View Page 150]son, praying an amendment of the law, so that creditors in magistrates' courts may sue in the township where the debtor resides, or where the debt was contracted; which was read and referred to the Judiciary Committee.
By Mr. ANTHONY, from citizens of Clark county, which was referred without reading, to the Committee on the State Prison.
By Mr. HULL, from citizens of Ripley county, praying for protection against the stock of railroad companies ; which was read and referred to the Committee on Corporations.
BANKS AND BANKING.
Mr. CLAYPOOL, from the Committee on Banks, returned his bill [S. 86]-described on page 105 of these Reports-with amendments recommending passage.
Mr. TARKINGTON moved to amend the amendment by providing that the banks shall deposit $1 for every $1 circulation, instead of $1,10.
Mr. SLACK objected to the amendment, with ten per cent, security, banks have been breaking in this State.
Mr. CLAYPOOL explained the provisions of the bill, and stated that they will increase and add to the security of the bill holder.
Mr. MARCH. I am disposed to favor this bill as reported, but are opposed to the amendment offered by the Senator from Monroe, [Mr. Tarkington.]
Mr. WHITE opposed the amendment to the amendment.
Mr. SLACK made an ineffectual motion to lay on the table and print 200 copies.
Mr. CONLEY. My opinion is, that this act affords better security to the bill holder, than the provisions of the present law. I hope the amendment to the amendment will not be adopted.
Mr. TARKINGTON offered the amendment, not with the intention to benefit bankers, but to guard the interests of the masses of the people. Indiana bonds are better to bank upon by 20 per cent, than any other bonds in the market, therefore it is good security, dollar for dollar, with the individual liability clause. This bill is a better one than has ever been introduced in the Indiana Legislature-harder upon bankers, and better for the people.
Mr. STEELE. There are several all important provisions in this bill. The plates of the bank should never go into the hands of its officers at all; they should remain with the Auditor, and never go into the hands of the bank, as this bill provides. Another amendment secures the bill holder, even should the bills of a bank be repudiated, and its affairs closed up by the State Auditor. Another amendment allows one-sixth to be issued in small bills, as is the case with the Bank of the State. Indiana 5 per cent bonds are now 93c.-83 1-3 is the par value. In 1866, Indiana must make provision for the payment of her Internal Improvement debt.
The vote rejecting the motion to print was reconsidered, and 200 copies of the bill and amendments were ordered printed.
ORDER OF BUSINESS.
Mr. BLAIR called up his resolution, submitted yesterday, relating to the change of the order of business, and it was adopted.
ACTIONS AT LAW-WHERE COMMENCED.
Mr. MARCH, from the Judiciary Committee, returned Mr. Jones's bill, [S. 77,] with an amendment striking out all after the enacting clause, and inserting an entire new bill, compelling parties to commence suit in the Circuit and Common Pleas Courts in the county where one or more of the parties immediately reside.
Also reporting a bill [S. 98] to amend sections 13 and 14 of the Practice act, approved June 9, 1852, having for its object the same provisions for townships as are contained in the above bill as relating to counties.
Mr. MURRAY believed that law would meet the approbation of the entire State.
The committee report was concurred in.
POSTAGE STAMPS.
Mr. CONLEY offered a resolution, which was adopted by yeas 25, nays 17-directing the Doorkeeper to furnish each member with three dollars' worth of postage stamps.
STATE DEBT AND THE PUBLIC FUNDS.
Mr. MURRAY offered a, resolution, which was adopted, instructing the Committee on Finance, by actual inspection, to ascertain the actual indebtedness of the State, and what amount of the public funds have been devoted from their legitimate purpose so as to report a bill providing for the reinstatement of all such funds to their original purpose.
SESSION HOURS.
Mr. TARKINGTON called up his resolution, submitted yesterday, providing for one session per day-from 9 till 1 o'clock; and modified it at the suggestion of Mr. BEARSS, so that on Saturdays the session shall be from 9 till 11, and on Mondays from 2 till 5 o'clock.
The resolution, as modified, was adopted by yeas 24, nays 18.
[Mr. LINE presented a petition against paying a tax upon turnpike roads going and returning from church, which was referred to the Committee on Rights and Privileges, without reading.]
STATE LIBRARIAN'S ACCOUNTS.
Mr. ANTHONY offered a resolution, which was adopted by consent, directing the Committee on the State Library to examine the accounts of the State Librarian, &c.
COMMON SCHOOL FUND.
Mr. CLAYPOOL offered a resolution, which was adopted by consent, directing the Committee on Education to inquire into the expediency of so amending the School law as to permit each county to retain for its own use the entire amount of money paid by them for page: 151[View Page 151]school purposes, and inquiring of the Judiciary whether such a change would be constitutional.
PAPERS FOR THE PRISON INVESTIGATION.
Mr. BEARSS submitted a preamble and resolution reciting that whereas the architect employed by the joint State Prison Committee has intimated that he has been refused the privilege of examining the plans, specifications, &c., and whereas the committee cannot arrive at the proper conclusions without the aid of an examination by said architect; therefore resolved, that the architect be authorized in the name of the State to demand all such specifications, plans, &c., as may enable him to make his estimates, that the employees about the prison be directed to surrender the same, &c.
Mr. WOLFE suggested that probably the architect had no legal right to them.
Mr. COBB was inclined to think the resolution is premature.
Mr. Bearss sent to the Secretary's desk a letter from the architect, which was read, stating that no opportunity had been given him to inform himself of the matters connected with his mission; in fact all and everything that would give him any light was carefully kept out of his sight, &c.
Mr. SLACK. This joint resolution reflects severely upon a member of the Board of Control, and before we do that we had better know what we are doing. Make it in the form of a request, and I have no doubt but that it will be acceded to.
Mr. BEARSS thought the officers were desirous of preventing an investigation, and those gentlemen should be made to disgorge those papers at once.
Mr. HAMILTON. I want a full investigation of this matter. I have no objection to the prison remaining in Michigan City if it is the best position for it.
Mr. COBB. I am not willing to jump at conclusions without evidence. I am unwilling to vote for this resolution with the preamble attached, for the reason I know nothing about the facts, and for another reason we can easily obtain the evidence with regard to this, and be able to act properly in this matter.
Messrs. Teegarden and Anthony favored the resolution.
Mr. WOLFE moved to refer the resolution to the State Prison Committee,Messrs. Anthony and Murray opposed the reference, and after further remarks by Messrs. Tarkington and Line-
Mr. CULVER. As far as this question, in reference to the papers is concerned, I understand they are all here, and it strikes me that in one hour after the adjournment if the committee were brought together, the truth of the allegations can certainly be ascertained.
Mr. COBB made an ineffectual motion-yeas 16, nays 14-to strike out the preamble.
On motion by Mr. MURRAY the motion to refer was laid on the table-yeas 20, nays 13.
The resolution was adopted.
DECEDENT ESTATES.
Mr. CONLEY offered a resolution, which was adopted by consent, requesting the Committee on Organization of Courts to inquire into the expediency of so amending the law, as to require clerks to make a complete record of the settlement of such estates, payment for the same to be made out of the County Treasury.
CLERK TO THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION.
Mr. MILLER offered a resolution, which was adopted, authorizing the joint Committee on Education to employ one clerk who shall act for both Committees.
VIOLATION OF THE LIQUOR LAW.
Mr. HULL offered a resolution, which was adopted, instructing the Committee on Temperance to examine if there is, and if not to provide proper penalties for the violation of sections 8 and 9 of the Liquor act of March 5, 1859.
And then-
On motion the Senate adjourned.
