HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
TUESDAY, May 7, 1861.The House met at 2 o'clock P. M.
On motion of Mr. NEBEKER, the reading of the journal of Saturday was dispensed with.
Mr. SMITH, of Bartholomew, pointed out an error in this paper's report of the proceedings of Saturday, which attributes to him an explanation and reason for giving an affirmative vote on the passage of the six regiment bill which were made by Mr. Atkinson.
Messers. BUNDY, PROW, POLK and KNOWLTON, asked and obtained leave respectively to record their rotes in the negative on the final passage of the six regiment bill last Saturday.
Mr. THOMAS had leave to record his vote in the affirmative on said bill.
Mr. DOBBINS presented a letter, by C. H. McCarthy, of Dover Hill, Martin county, asking for a law against the organization of marauding bands of robbers, which was read, and the necessity for such legislation being explained by him, it was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
BANK REMOVAL BILL.
The SPEAKER stated the first thing in order page: 84[View Page 84] to be the consideration of Mr. Fisher's bank bill (29.)
On motion by Mr. FISHER, it was laid on the table.
WORK FOR COMMITTEES.
On motion by Mr. CRAIN, the bills from the Senate, viz.: The treason bill No. 2, the deputy bill No 8, and the arms distribution bill No. 10, were passed the first reading.
MEDICAL ATTENDANCE ON THE TROOPS IN CAMP.
The Senate joint resolution No. 2, authorizing the Governor to procure medical aid for the troops at Camp Morton, coming up-
The report of the yeas and nays thereon was yeas 59, nays 0 - no quorum voting.
On the motion of Mr. NEBEKER, a call of the House was ordered and proceeded, till a quorum appeared; and then the vote was reported yeas 69, nays 0 - so the joint resolution was adopted.
On motion by Mr. NEBEKER (the rules being suspended for the purpose), the deputy bill (S. 8) was read the second time by title, and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
SUPREME COURT.
On the motion of Mr. PROSSER, the concur rent resolution of the Senate, (just announced by Mr. Brown, their Secretary,) authorizing the Sheriff of the Supreme Court to hire, at the expense of the State, suitable rooms in the town of Indianapolis for the holding of the May term of the Supreme Court, was taken up and adopted.
WORK FOR COMMITTEES.
On motion by Mr. BUNDY, (the rules being suspended for the purpose,) the treason bill (S. 5) was taken up and read the second time.
Mr. BUNDY submitted a substitute.
On motion by Mr. WOODHULL, the bill and proposed amendment were referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
On motion by Mr. BUNDY, (the rules being suspended for the purpose,) the treason bill (S. 2) was read the second time and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
On motion by Mr. BUNDY, (the rules being suspended for the purpose,) the arms distribution bill [S. 10} was read the second time by title, and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
STATUTE FOR LEVEES AND DRAINS.
Mr. BUNDY, from the Committee on the Judiciary, returned Mr. Henrick's bill [20] to repeal the levees and draining act, with a recommendation that said bill be laid on the table: but considering legislation to be expedient on the subject, the committee direct him to report a bill [32] entitled, An act supplemental to the act to authorize the construction of levees and drains, approved June 12, 1852.
The report was concurred in, and the bill was passed to the second reading.
NORTHERN PRISON.
On motion by Mr. SHERMAN, the Governor's message of last Saturday, transmitting a communication from the Directors and Board of Control of the Northern State Prison, was taken up, and the communication was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
SUBSISTENCE COMMISSIONERS.
Mr. FISHER introduced a bill [33] providing a Board of Subsistence Commissioners, and defining their duties; and defining the duties of certain officers therein mentioned; and prescribing punishment for the violation of this act.
It was passed to the second reading.
BREACH OF PRIVILEGE - VIGILANCE COMMITTEE.
Mr. HORTON submitted the following:
WHEREAS, A member of this House has received a threatening communication, purporting to have come from an organization known as the "Vigilance Committee" of this city; AND WHEREAS, Publications have been made in the newspapers of this city showing that such an organization really exists, that some of its objects are to determine in usurpation of the authority of the State and Federal Governments, what articles are to pass through the depots of this city as legitimate commerce, and what are to be obstructed as contraband of war, also to establish a censorship over the press of the city, dictating what articles shall appear, and usurping the lawful authority in determining what sentiments shall constitute sedition or treason; also, that said organization has had a tender of an organization of troops known as the "Dumont Guards," ostensibly to aid them in carrying out their designs;
AND WHEREAS, It is understood from intimations in the press, as well as from other sources of information, that said organization propose to establish a system of espionage upon the conduct of peaceful and respectable citizens, threatening their lives and the destruction of their property, if their conduct does not accord with the arbitrary standard erected by them;
AND WHEREAS, In one instance the Governor has found it necessary to protect the property of citizens of this city, against the threats of the said Vigilance Committee, by mounting a large guard of soldiers for that purpose; therefore -
Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed by this House, with power to send for persons and papers, and to examine witnesses under oath, touching the existence, membership and objects of said Committee; and that said committee be instructed to sit from day to day until said examination is completed, and to report to the House the evidence that may be elicited.
Mr. HORTON. Mr. Speaker, I trust that this subject is of sufficient importance to present itself to the minds of gentlemen at once. It hardly needs illustration. It is detailed in the opening of the resolutions, that there is a member of this House whose personal liberty and rights have been invaded by threats. Under these circumstances, it seems to me that there is an urgent necessity for the adoption of the resolution - that each member, for his own protection from violence, as well as for the protection of peaceable citizens, should be ready to vote for this resolution, and the appointment of the Committee it proposes to create.
Mr. PACKARD. It seems to me this is no trifling matter. If gentlemen will examine the journal of this House, they will find that there is occasion for this resolution, and they will see, also, that the necessity for such action as the resolution proposes, has been shadowed forth by the press of this city. Sir, we live now in a time of civil commotiona time when it is likely that disturbers of the peace will arise, unless they are sternly discouraged. We live in a time when men are liable to become somewhat reckless, and in such times it becomes necessary to throw strong guards around the citizen to protect the sacred rights of person and property, secured and guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States, and of our own State. I do not believe that there is one good citizen of this city that would injure or invade or abridge the personal
