IN SENATE.
SATURDAY, February 9,1861.On motion of Mr. LINE the reading of the Journal of yesterday was dispensed with.
Mr. MILLER presented a memorial, which was referred to the Judiciary Committee, without reading.
Mr. CLAYPOOL presented two claims, which were referred to the Committee on Claims, without reading.
Mr. JOHNSON presented a petition from citizens of Clay county, on the present condition of public affairs, praying this Legislature to use all fair and honorable means to restore the Union of the States, and give peace to the country; and stating that the petitioners would be satisfied with a compromise based on the Crittenden proposition; referred to the Committee on Federal Relations, under the rule.
Mr. SLACK made an ineffectual demand for a call of the Senate.
REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES.
By Mr. CONNER : Judiciary-returning apetition from citizens of Jefferson county, praying for an amendment to the law, so as to allow justices of the peace to sue either in the township where the debt was contracted or where the defendant may reside, at the option of the plaintiff; and reporting the opinion expressed by a previous report of the committee when returning a bill on this subject; recommending that it lie on the table.
By Mr. STUDABAKER: Judiciary-returning his bill 117-see p. 163 of the Brevier Legislative Reports-with an amendment recommending passage.
By Mr. CRAVEN: Corporations-returning his bill 48-see p. 69 of these Reports-recommending passage.
By Mr. BEESON: Corporations-returning Senator Ray's bill 59-see p. 88-recommending passage.
By Mr. JOHNSON: Corporations-returning Senator O'Brien's bill 76-see page 96 recommending passage.
These reports were severally concurred in.
RE-ORGANIZATION OF THE MILITIA.
Mr. MURRAY, from the majority of the Committee on Military Affairs, returned Senator Anthony's bill 28 and Senator Ray's bill 72-see pages 45 and 96-recommending that they be indefinitely postponed.
Mr. CRAVEN, from the Committee on Military Affairs, made a minority report, signed by himself and Senator Anthony, dissenting from the views of the majority, that the bill 28 lie on the table. This report suggests that said bill has never had a careful reading, much less an investigation, and recommends that said bill do not lie on the table, but that it be referred to a select committee of five, with instructions to make such amendments as they deem right and adapted to the wants of the State of Indiana.
Mr. CONNER. In a short time a bill may be presented that will be generally satisfactory to all parties. With a view to waiting till such bill comes in, I move to lay both bills on the table.
Mr. ANTHONY. I desire to ask the Chairman of the Committee on Military Affairs how many members of that committee were present when they determined upon this report? I want to know whether there was a quorum?
Mr. MURRAY. In answer I will state that there was a quorum present. Five is a quorum I believe.
Mr. SLACK made another ineffectual demand for a call of the Senate. He did not believe there was a quorum present.
Mr. JOHNSON demanded a division of the motion to lay on the table.
Mr. CRAVEN. My recollection is the committee agreed to recommend that these bills lie on the table, and not an indefinite postponement.
Mr. SHOULDERS. I will state that I made the motion in committee to recommend indefinite postponement, and it was carried.
page: 202[View Page 202]The question being on laying the majority report on the table-
The yeas and nays were demanded, and, being ordered, the Secretary proceeded with the call. When the call was concluded-
The PRESIDENT. No quorum voting.
On Mr. STUDABAKER'S demand, a call of the Senate was had, which revealed the fact that but 32 Senators were present.
Pending the call, leave of absence was asked and obtained for Senators March, Odell, Wolfe, Conley and Mellett.
The PRESIDENT stated that there was but one absentee who had not been excused.
And then, on motion, the Senate adjourned for want of a quorum.
The PRESIDENT called the attention of Senators to his announcement of the committee authorized by the resolutions of Mr. Mellett, adopted by the Senate yesterday, and of Mr. Cameron, adopted by the House Thursday, viz.: Senators Claypool, Anthony, Wagner and Hamilton.
