HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
FRIDAY, February 22,1861.Mr. BLACK presented his protest in connection with his vote yesterday for concurrence in the minority report and resolutions of the Committee of Thirteen, which went on the journal. There were portions of that report which he "did not consider appropriate while the Democratic party were devising means to avoid the approaching dangers."
Mr. SMITH, from the Committee on Rights and Privileges, returned sundry petitions from citizens of Wayne county; and, stating that a bill had been introduced to meet the views of the petitioners, the report recommends that the petitions be laid on the table. The report was concurred in.
PHEASANTS AND QUAILS.
Mr. SMITH also returned the bill [S. 19] to amend the Pheasant and Quail section of the Game law of February 26, 1857, with an amendment, striking out "the first of October" and inserting "the first of November."
Mr. DOBBINS hoped the report would not be concurred in. He spoke generally against the Game law. It was frivolous and unnecessary, and should be swept from the statute book.
Mr. SMITH of Bartholomew. The only thing done by the bill was to extend the time in which these pheasants and quails may be taken.
Mr. FORD proposed (as to quails) to strike out the first of February and insert the first of March.
Mr. PROSSER was not in favor of any Game law: but since we must have one he was in favor of the first of March-in favor of the bill first reported from this Committee. He would lay this report on the table, but forbore for debate.
Mr. ORR stated that the object of the Committee was to harmonize conflicting views.
Mr. KENDRICK desired to amend, to prolong the time till the first of March, and to prohibit netting quails altogether.
Mr. STOTSEBERG. The enemies of the report were disposed to repeal the law altogether. Their policy looked to the extermination of a very valuable game. These quails had enough to do to get through the hard winter, without setting the trappers and shooters on them all the winter and half the spring. He moved to amend Mr, Ford's amendment by striking out "March 1," and inserting "January 15."
Mr. BUNDY. The Committee had fixed the time on a compromise, which he thought reasonable. It was a matter of little interest to him, and he demanded the previous question. Under its operation both amendments were rejected and the report of the Committee was concurred in.
The SPEAKER laid before the House statements of the condition of the Branches at Terre Haute and South Bend of the Bank of the State; which were referred to the Committee on Banks.
He also laid before the House a communication from the Auditor of State, responding to Mr. Holman's resolution with reference to the swamp land funds of Gibson county ; and it was reserved from the files for the benefit of Mr. Holman.
Mr. ORR. from the Committee on Rights and Privileges, returned Mr. Roberts' resolution for the passage of a law with proper penalties' requiring all persons, before taking charge of any moveable or stationary engine in this State, to obtain a certificate of qualifications with a recommendation that it be laid on the table; which was concurred in.
Mr. HURD, from the same Committee, returned Mr. Wood's bill [179] regarding estrays and articles adrift, recommending that it be laid on the table; which was concurred in.
FREE TURNPIKES.
Mr. PROSSER, from the Committee on County and Township Business, returned Mr. Williams' bill [205] to encourage the construction of free turnpikes, and providing therefor, and reported that it be laid on the table.
Mr. WILLIAMS. It was a bill proposing the levy of a tax in the townships for the construction of free turnpikes, by the consent of a majority of the citizens of the township. He felt a deep interest in its success, and hoped the bill would be recommitted.
Mr. FRASIER spoke of the difficulty in getting the committee together, on account of its members being engaged on investigations. He had reported this bill now. to give the gentleman (Mr. Williams) an opportunity to give it his own direction. If it were referred again to the same committee, it would result only in a similar report. The bill provides that, where a majority of the township shall petition for the levy of a special road tay, the money shall be applied on the road having the largest number of petitioners in its favor. The committee were unable to see how any mere township turnpike, or gravel road could do much good. But the principal objection with the committee to the bill was, that a bare majority of the township could control these matters.
Mr. VEATCH agreed that it might be improper to give this power to a bare majority ; but anything which goes to make better roads ought to be encouraged. He had seen no proposition introduced here better calculated to insure good roads than this; and he would page: 269[View Page 269]move its reference to a Select Committee for the purpose of avoiding the difficulties suggested. But-
On the motion of Mr. FRASIER, it was re-committed to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Mr. FORD proposed an amendment, which went along without reading.
Mr. FRASIER, from the same committee, returned Mr. M'Lean's bill [138], to repeal the amendment of the last session to the city corporation law, with a recommendation that the same do pass.
Mr. M'LEAN. The bill proposes simply to abolish the act of 1859, and revive the act of 1857. The difference between these acts was this: by the act of 1857, the members of the Common Council, &c., were made elective for four years ; whilst under the act of 1857, they were elected for the term of two years. They were satisfied in his city (Terre Haute), that the change of 1859 worked badly. Four years was too long a term for these officers. They became irresponsible and neglectful of their duties.
Mr. STOTSENBERG. As far as the city of New Albany was concerned, she had a good Common Council, and he did not think she panted this change. Only two years ago this legislation was taken ; and it had been taken up to the Supreme Court, and had been sustained there, and all the cities in the State were working under it. The bill was too much a verification of the common remark, that Representatives came here but to repeal the laws of the former session. He had heard no application for this change.
The report of the committee was concurred in, and the bill was ordered to be engrossed.
On motion by Mr. HORTON, (the order of business being suspended for the purpose,) Senate messages were taken up, and the bill [S. 104], to amend the acts of May 6, 1852, and March 2, 1859, so as to legalize conveyances by Indians, negroes, and persons of mixed blood, was passed the second reading.
The bills from the Senate numbered 31, 52, 116, 175, 163, 25, 36, 33, and 46 were severally read and passed to the second reading.
Mr. Moss had leave of absence till Tuesday. Mr. Anderson, Mr. Hudson, Mr. Davis, Mr. Boydston, Mr. Hopkins, and Mr. Frasier asked for leave of absence till Monday, and their applications were laid on the table.
The Senate's concurrent resolution for a joint committee to report on the gradual liquidation of the State debt, coming up, it was adopted by consent: and the Speaker thereupon appointed Messrs. Branham, Fisher, Grain, Gifford, and Brett, as said committee an the part of the House.
NEW BILLS
Were now introduced and passed to the second reading, having the following titles, viz. :
Mr. Branham : [283] To provide for payment of the interest on the debt of the State of Indiana, due January 1st, 1 3 8 61-[appropriating the sum of $10,075].
Mr. Frasier: [284] To amend sections 1,2 and 3 of the act to provide for the relocation of county seats, approved March 6, 1855, and to provide for the disposition of grounds heretofore used for county purposes, and to provide for the repeal of the proceedings of county commissioners.
Mr. Cameron: [285] To apportion Senators and Representatives for the next six years.
Mr. Gresham: [286] To provide for the compensation of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas, and repealing all laws in conflict therewith. [$1500.]
Mr. Wilson: [287] To amend the assessment act of June 21, 1852.
Mr. Veatch: [288] To provide for the protection and arrest of felons.
Mr. Branham: [289] To provide for the investment of the sinking fund in Indiana five per cent and two and a half per cent stocks.
Mr. Orr: [290] To amend the act for the better protection of religious meetings, agricultural fairs, and other lawful assemblages of the people.
Mr. Bryant: [291] Supplemental to and amendatory of the first section of the act to enable trustees to receive lands and donate and convey the same for the benefit of schools, churches, Masonic and Odd-Fellows' lodges, &c., and for the construction of schoolhouses, churches, &c., approved June 17, 1852.
Mr. Veatch: [292] For the establishment of a State Normal School-[Prepared, he said, by the late Superintendent Rugg.]
COMMON SCHOOL SYSTEM.
Mr. GROVER, from the Committee on Education, (the order of business being suspended,) returned Mr. Orr's bill [61] defining who shall be qualified voters at District School meetings, and providing for the selection of District School Directors, &c., with an amendment of the title, striking out all after the word "bill," and inserting these words: To provide for a general system of Common Schools ; the officers thereof; their respective powers and duties ; and for the establishment and regulation of Township Libraries;" and with a further amendment, striking out all after the enacting clause and inserting a new bill.
Mr. STOTSENBERG proposed to amend the amendment, in the 12th section, by striking out the word "five," and inserting "seven;" as the age for the admission of children to the common schools. This amendment, he said, was offered at the request of the Board of School Trustees of his city, (New Albany:) and for the information of the House thereon, he read their letter to him, reasoning against admitting to the public schools children under seven years of age, and for a change of the law which now invites children of five years.
Mr. WOODS opposed the amendment, and on his motion it was laid on the table.
page: 270[View Page 270]Mr. BRUCKER proposed to amend the bill, by a resolution directing the Committee on Education to so amend the School law, as to bring the School Directors under the supervision of the Township Trustees; to require the School Director to make his report to the Trustee, and to be compensated for his services.
The SPEAKER (Mr. Orr in the Chair.) The amendment is not in order.
On motion by Mr. GROVER, the subject was made the special order for next Wednesday at 10 o'clock.
Mr. DAVIS submitted the following:
Resolved, That no member of this House shall be allowed to speak longer than ten minutes on any subject.
The SPEAKER. Under the tacit agreement yesterday, no vote can be now taken on the resolution.
MEETING OF THE SOLDIERS OF 1812.
Mr. STOTSENBERG. In behalf of a Committee of the Old Soldiers, now in session in the Supreme Courtroom, with no accommodations where the old men can sit down, I ask for them the use of this Hall for their session this afternoon.
The motion was agreed to.
And the House adjourned.
