THE STATE DEBT.
Mr. BRANHAM, from the joint select committee instructed to report a plan for the gradual liquidation of the State debt, submitted a report recommending that the commissioners of the sinking fund be authorized to invest that fund in 5 per cent. State stocks; that the present levy of two cents on the hundred dollars be continued through the year 1861, and that a tax of five cents on the hundred dollars be levied and collected from year to year till said debt shall be paid-the first of the proceeds of said tax to be applied to the payment of the $303,000 over due to the Sinking Fund.
On motion of Mr. GROVER, it was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
Mr. HOLCOMB, from the select committee thereon, returned Mr. Jones of Tippecanoe's county surveyors bill [350] with amendments striking out the 4th section, and all that relates to office and fees, ana inserting "the fees authorized by law," &c.; and a section with regard to appeals, &c.
Mr. GROVER would lay it on the table.
Mr. FISHER. The importance of this bill was in the fact, that there was now no general rule among surveyors to regulate their operation. The principles and regulations in this bill were well considered. It incurs no additional expense.
Mr. FRASIER. Surveyors have told me that, without a perfect system extending throughout the Stace, there is no use in legislation on this subject.
The amendments were adopted, and the bill was ordered to be engrossed.
Mr. STOTSENBERG, from the Committee on Organization of Courts, reported against Mr. Smith of Bartholomew's Court bill, [153.]
Mr. McLEAN returned a resolution for compensation of district prosecutors, as matter acted on; which reports were concurred in.
Mr. McCLURG returned Mr. Gresham's bill [286] To increase the compensation of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas to $1500, with an amendment, proposing $1300also, striking out the words, " to be paid out of the State Treasury," and so amended, the Committee recommend its passage.
Mr. GRESHAM considered it unjust to restrict these common pleas judges to a thousand dollars, who are doing most of the judicial business of the State. If there was time to do it, he might be for dispensing altogether with the common pleas courts, by increasing the number of the judges; but since that could not be done, this bill ought to pass.
On motion by Mr. HOLCOMB, the bill and report were laid on the table.
