AFTERNOON SESSION.
Mr. JONES of Vermillion, from the Prison Committee, reported a bill [349] authorizing the directors of the southern prison to work the prisoners outside; to purchase a grave-yard ; to enlarge the female department; to transfer insane convicts to the State asylum; and to settle with former contractors, make new contracts, &c. supplemental to, and repealing former laws ; which was passed to the second reading: and (the rule being suspended), it was passed the second reading, and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
On motion of Mr. BRANHAM, the House took up the Senate's amendment to the revenue bill [H. R. 346]. It strikes out "five" and inserts "two" [cents tax on the $100]. The House refused to concur.
On motion by Mr. HEFFREN, the House took up the amendments of the Senate to the General Appropriation bill; and they were concurred in, except those for the northern prison.
Mr. FISHER opposed the Senate's proposition to allow $15,000 to the northern prison. page: 362[View Page 362] It would require over $11.000 to pay the officials. What were $4,000 to subsist 150 prisoners one year? &c. It would be better to repeal the law. Investigations have produced no valuable information. The House had sufficiently indicated its determination to make no appropriation under that corrupt contract. If that could be got out of the way (which he hoped would be done to-day), he would then be in favor of making an appropriation to set the convicts at work. When he concluded, he moved to strike out "$15,000" and insert "$40,000."
Mr. BRANHAM would not vote for that under the present fraudulent contract.
Mr. SHERMAN. If you annul the law, how are you going to subsist these prisoners returned to Jeffersonville ? He inquired whether that contract could not be amended by resolution ?
Mr. PARRETT considered that the fraud in the contract had nothing to do with the question, whether we should have a northern prison ? We should get rid of that contract save what money has been invested-as we may ; we should at least take possession of the prison ground. Appropriations have to subsist, and work-prisoners have nothing whatever to do with fraudulent contracts. He was ready to go to work in this way at once. He complained that no practicable plan of legislation in this matter had been submitted before. No system had been proposed : but all had been looking after nothing but the stolen money.
Mr. BINGHAM defended the appointment and action of the Investigating Committee. They had discharged their duties-reported the facts, and their recommendations thereon. They had recommended the abandonment of the location. He saw little distinction between doing nothing and simply complaining that nothing has been done.
Mr. FISHER'S amendment was withdrawn.
Mr. HEFFREN now hoped the Senate amendment would not be concurred in.[A Senate message asked for a Committee of Conference on its amendment to the revenue bill [H. R. 346]; which was taken up; the Committee ordered and the SPEAKER appointed Messrs. Branham, Prosser and Fisher.]
Mr. FERGUSON was in favor of abandoning the Northern Prison.
Mr. WOODHULL. The State was bound to take care of the prisoners. If the prisoners are not retaned North, there must still be a contract to enlarge the Southern Prison. A delay in making appropriations would bring the contractors to terms, if nothing else.
Mr. PROSSER, two years ago, had done all he could to prevent the Northern Prison scheme. He was proud of his votes and action then. He reviewed the arguments upon which this prison was authorized. They got an appropriation of $50,000, and then stole more than that. Now let it rot and crumble.
Mr. CAMERON demanded the previous question, and thereupon the Senate's amendment was non-concurred in-yeas 14, nays 74.
On motion of Mr. HEFFREN, the Senate's amendments, allowing $14,000 for officers, &c., of the Southern Prison, and $15,000 for officers and current expenses of the Northern Prison for 1862, were concurred in-excluding that for the Northern Prison.
SINKING FUND LOANS.
The Sinking Fund bill [S. 114], (extending time of loans,) coming up-it was passed to the second reading.
On motion of Mr. McLEAN, (the constitutional provision being suspended for the purpose,) the bill was read the second time by title, passed to the third reading, read the third time and passed-yeas 88, nays 2.
Mr. BRANHAM, from the Committee of Conference on the revenue bill, [H. R. 346] reported that the Senate recedes, and the agreement is, that the tax be two cents on the $100 to be assessed for the years 1861 and 1862, and five cents for the years following.
The report was concurred in.
TRUSTEES FOR THE DEAF AND DUMB AND BLIND.
Mr. BINGHAM asked that the House now take up the election of the remaining Trustees of the Benevolent Institutions-two for Deaf and Dumb, and two for the Blind Asylum ; which was agreed to.
The SPEAKER called for nominations for a trustee for the Deaf and Dumb Institution.
Mr. BINGHAM nominated James C. Burt, of Jennings county.
Mr. PROSSER nominated John M. Kitchen, of this city.
Mr. BINGHAM stated that Dr. Burt was the colleague of Dr. Burt, as voted for by the Senate.
Mr. CAMERON suggested that Dr. Burt's name be withdrawn, and let all vote together once for Dr. Kitchen. [Laughter.]
Mr. BINGHAM refussd to withdraw the nomination.
- Burt received..........................57 votes.
- Kitchen received ......... .................29 votes.
- Scattering received :......................... 4 votes.
So, James C. Burt, receiving a majority, was declared duly elected a trustee of the Deaf and Dumb Asylum-to serve two years.
Mr. PROSSER nominated Dr. Kitchen for he other trustee.
M. STOTSENBERG nominated Thomas W. Woollen.
- Kitchen received................. ...70 votes.
- Woollen received .....................17 votes.
- Scattering received ..................... 3 votes.
So, John M. Kitchen was declared to be elected-to serve two years.
The SPEAKER calling for nominations for a trustee of the Institute for the Blind-
Mr. STOTSENBERG nominated Harvey G. Hazelrig, of Boone county.
page: 363[View Page 363]Mr. HAWORTH nominated Wm. M. Smith, of Fayette county.
- Smith received........................52 votes.
- Hazelrig received .......................23 votes.
- Scattering received ......................13 votes.
So, Wm. M. Smith was declared lo be elected on the part of the House of Representatives-to serve two years.
Mr. CRAIN nominated John Beard, of Montgomery county.
Mr. STOTSENBERG nominated Michael Fitzgibbon, of Marion county.
- Beard received........................52 votes.
- Fitzgibbon received........................36 votes.
So, John Beard was declared to be elected on the part of the House of Representatives to serve two years : and then it was-
Ordered, That the Clerk acquaint the Senate of these concurrent ballotings.
A Senate message announced the adherence of that body to its amendments to the General appropriation bill, and asked for a Conference Committee thereon; which was ordered; and thereupon, the Speaker appointed Messrs. Branham, Prosser and Fisher.
ASSIGNMENTS.
The bill [S. 98] to amend sections 13 and 14, of the Justices'act of June 9th, 1852, to prevent evasions of the law by the assignments of claims, and bringing suit against the assignor in a different county-coming up on the third reading, it was finally passed by House without amendment-yeas 83, nays 1.
The witness bill [S. 5] was laid on the table, as superceded by the House, witness bill 344.
ADMINISTRATION OF OATHS.
The bill [S. 25] to authorize Justices of the Peace, Mayors of towns and cities, Clerks of the Circuit and Common Pleas, courts, Master Commissioners, and County Auditors (and the respective counties to Road-viewers. &c.) to administer oaths, coming up-it was passed the final reading-yeas 75, nays 0.
FREE BANK SECURITIES.
The Free Bank plate bill [S. 86] amendators of sections 3,4. 6. 7 and 49 of the general banking act, coming up-
Mr. RAGAN. Does it do away with the deposit of $110 for the $100 circulating ?
Mr. FISHER. It reduces it to $105, in Indiana State Stocks.
Mr. BLACK. The main feature of the bill is to force banks holding the bonds of other States to sell them and buy Indiana bonds. This would depreciate, the value of other State bonds, and so impair all the free banks owning such bonds.
Mr. FISHER. It contemplates those exchanges to be made by the year 1863. And it reduces the deposit of securities from $110 to $105, to the $100 of circulation. He spoke of the poor reliances for our circulation on State bonds under secession movements.
Mr. CRAIN. It was enough for the House to know that the bank of Bloomington went down solely because its circulation was based on southern state bonds, &c.
The bill passed the House-yeas 79, nays 10.
The Road bill [S. 36] coming up, it was passed the final reading in the House-yeas 61, nays 23. It takes the control of vacation and change of highways within the townships from the County Commissioners, and gives it to the Township Trustees ; and authorizes the opening of private ways.
