HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
TUESDAY, February 10, 1863.Mr. MILROY, from the Committee on Agriculture, introduced a bill, [152] to signify the assent of Indiana to the act of Congress making donations for Agricultural Colleges, which was read the first time.
HONOR TO OUR SOLDIERS.
The matter pending on adjournment yesterday (the joint resolutions H. R. 15, printed on pages 77 and 78 of these Reports) was taken up.
Mr. HIGGINS offered an amendment making the sum of $500 the full compensation for all work the Librarian may do in this regard until January 1, 1865.
Mr. PACKARD. It is already contemplated by the Joint Resolution that the Librarian shall perform his duty as long as the war lasts. The present Librarian would 'enter upon the work in the spirit of patriotism. He cared nothing about compensation beyond what was necessary.
The amendment was adopted.
On motion by Mr. TARKINGTON the resolution was farther amended by inserting after the word " book" these words : "in such form as will be suitable for minting."
THE "STOVER FRAUD."
Mr. ROBERTS offered a resolution, which was adopted, that the Committee on Ways and Means be instructed to inquire into the facts and circumstances connected with the late fraudulent issue of Indiana State stocks, commonly known as "the Stover fraud;" whether there is any probability that the State will sustain any loss thereby, and whether any legislation is necessary to protect the interests and credit of the State on account thereof, and to report by bill, or otherwise.
THE COMMITTEE OF THIRTEEN.
Mr. CASON offered the following:
WHEREAS, There has been a mutual expression of a want of confidence in each other by both parties in this branch of the General Assembly, as well as an excited state of public feeling generally, in relation to the prosecution of the war, and other measures, and that such want of confidence has caused much ill feeling on the part of the members of this body, as well as useless criminations and re-criminations. Therefore, to restore confidence in the good intentions, honesty and patriotism of all the members of this House, and to quiet the public feeling; be it
Resolved, That a committee of thirteen be appointed, with instructions to use all possible efforts, consistent with their duties as legislators and patriots to come to some satisfactory understanding in relation to the action of this House upon the following subjects, and that we hereby pledge ourselves, at the sacrifice of mere party or personal feelings, to adopt the views and follow the advice of the committee, if the same should be their unanimous report. The committee are instructed to report their views and conclusions upon the following questions, as well as any others they may deem proper or desirable:
1st. All matters in relation to the powers and duties of the Governor;
2d. All questions in relation to the prosecuting of this war, and the status of Indiana connected therewith.
Mr. CASON proposed it as a peace measure.
Mr. LASSELLE would vote for the resolution, provided the clause binding this House by the decision of the committee were stricken out. He would surrender his conscience to no set of men, however sagacious and patriotic.
Mr. MILROY was opposed to the whole thing. It came from the wrong quarter. It reminded him of the fable of the rooster and the horses. The rooster said "Gentlemen, don't let us tread on each other's toes." If the minority don't want the majority to tread on their toes, let them get out on clear ground--let them get out of the way.
Mr. KENDRICK favored taking counsel on these disputed questions, and thought that the committee would save heated discussions in the House.
Mr. ROBERTS made an ineffectual motion to table the resolution--yeas 24, nays 65.
Mr. PRIEST would not be bound by the action of the committee.
Mr. PACKARD opposed the adoption of the resolution. It was a visionary scheme. We had a committee-- the Committee on Federal Relations--in all respects, except in point of number, equivalent to the one proposed. That committee had already canvassed the important subjects committed to them, and it was found utterly impossible for them to agree. How was it page: 134[View Page 134] possible, then, that thirteen men could agree, when seven could not ? Besides, he would not yield his conscience and his action to the dictum of any set of men. All of us who were honest in asserting their principles would stand by them. We must differ with one another, if we were honest and conscientious.
Mr. ROBERTS said that all such humbug resolutions were introduced by the minority to consume time and prevent necessary legislation--in order that the majority might bo held responsible before the people for all failures. And the people would hold, notwithstanding the machinations of the minority, the majority so responsible.
Mr. HOLCOMB was disposed to grant the minority all they asked in reason. He was disposed to treat them with more courtesy than they had treated us heretofore. He was willing to try the experiment for conciliation and harmony.
Mr. GRIFFITH offered an amendment striking out the pledge to abide by the report of the Committee, and inserting "will give the report a respectful consideration."
Mr. VAN BUSKIRK followed. He argued in favor of the resolution. The fact that it was presented by " the bitterest member on this floor in the minority," as had been charged, ought to commend it to the majority.
Mr. NIBLACK was inclined to favor the proposition, because an equal number of both parties would be brought face to face, and it looked like an honest effort toward conciliation toward doing something. Everything which is calculated to bring members of both parties together would tend to allay the excitement of the country. He had no fear of a discussion in committee of the principles and measures of the majority. He had every disposition to favor all steps toward pacification.
Mr. WOOLLEN offered an amendment directing the committee to report by 2 p. m. on Monday next.
Mr CASON spoke in support of his resolution. He had no objections to the amendments offered, but thought he contemplated all they purposed He had offered the resolution in good faith. He had offered it to remove party and personal questions from this House for the time being, in order that needful legislation be done--in order that agitation might be calmed down, and that we might go to work. The minority were just as responsible before the people as the majority.-- He was ready to meet every man extending the hand of conciliation; but if there was to be no concessions and compromise--if it was determined to strike down him and his, his motto was--
"Lay on Macduff,
And damned be he who first
cries, hold, enough!"
Mr. ANDERSON, referring to Mr. Cason, and replying to Mr.
Packard, said that--
"While the lamp hold out to burn,
The
vilest sinner may return."
There was more rejoicing in Heaven over the return of
one sinner than ninety-nine righteous. Mr. Cason had been
stigmatized as the chief of sinners. By his resolution he
had brought forth fruits meet for repentance. He, in the
opposition--in the minority-had proposed a measure looking
to compromise, to conciliation to peace, and his
proposition ought to be adopted.
Mr. HUMPHREYS said he would vote against the resolution, because it was very well understood by the majority what they would do, and the time when it would be done. This committee would tend to delay action. Me opposed the resolution. If it was adopted, he was sure we would adjourn without doing anything at all.
Mr. BURTON conceived that the introduction of the resolution was the height of tomfoolery. It was child's play for this Legislature to be discussing propositions like this. The resolution was for no other purpose than to consume the time and money of the people of Indiana. The views of both parties were well known. Gentlemen were wide as the poles apart. They never could agree on any of the important questions. He himself (and his constituents would kick him out of his county if he were not) was opposed to anything like compromise or conciliation with Abolitionists. Any proceeding under the resolution would amount to nothing. It was all humbug.
Mr. SHAFFER was willing to meet the minority half way. He should vote for the resolution and now demanded the previous question.
The demand was seconded by the House.
The two amendments were adopted.
The resolution as amended was also adopted, by yeas 65. nays 24.
The SPEAKER subsequently announced the committee, viz: Messrs. Cason, Niblack, Howk, Abbett, Roberts, Newman, Tarkington, Puett, Shaffer, Bird, O'Brien, of Hamilton, Hartley, and Van Buskirk.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The SPEAKER laid before the House a communication from the Governor with regard to drafted men, in reply to a resolution of the House. An accompanying report from the Adjutant General states that four companies of drafted men were organized as volunteers, and wear, into old regiments. Other men, amounting to about 290, were also in the service, as drafted.
STATE REVENUE.
The revenue bill, [H. R. 139] was taken up in Committee of the Whole, (Mr. Holcomb in the Chair).
page: 135[View Page 135]Mr. NIBLACK explained that the revenue from the increased levy would not be more than sufficient to meet the demands upon the State Treasury for the ensuing year ; $850.000 was required for the years 1863 and 1864.
On motion of Mr. BRANHAM the committee arose and reported back the bill to the House, recommending its passage.
The report was concurred in, and the bill ordered to be engrossed.
RESOLUTIONS OP INQUIRY.
Were offered, read and severally adopted, to-wit:
By Mr. MILLER, to appoint a committee of three to investigate the cost of printing a pamphlet edition of the law in reference to decedents' estates.
By Mr. VAN BUSKIRK, as to legislation in reference to bringing suits against foreign insurance companies.
By Mr. LASSELLE,as to the propriety of making United States Treasury notes receivable for taxes.
By Mr HOLCOMB, in reference to a reduction of the salaries of canal trustees.
By Mr. RIPPEY, in favor of an enactment permitting Recorders to require their fees in advance.
By Mr. PACKARD, to permit ex-Recorders to issue fee-bills for official duties and collect them.
By Mr. GREGORY, in favor of requiring railroads to carry the bodies of deceased soldiers en route to their homes free of charge.
ARBITRARY ARRESTS.
Mr. WOOLLEN introduced a joint resolution, [30] protesting against the passage of any bill by Congress indemnifying the President, or those acting under him, from liability to answer for arbitrary arrests, and instructing Senators and requesting Representatives to oppose the passage of each bill, which was read the first time.
NEW PROPOSITIONS.
The following bills were introduced, read the first time, and severally passed to the second reading:
By Mr. GREGORY, [153] amending section 3 of the law to regulate the sale of liquors.
By Mr. DAVIS, [154] to provide for opening ditches and water courses.
By Mr. HANNA, [155] to provide for an Auditing Committee of the claims of the Indiana Legion, and of the military expenses on the border. (The bill provides a committee of five members of the Legislature to meet at Indianapolis on the 18th of March, and sit for six weeks, auditing such claims.)
By Mr. HETFIELD. [156] a Liquor License law.
By Mr. HETFIELD, [157] an additional act to regulate tolls on the Wabash bridge at Covington.
By Mr. HETFIELD, [158] to regulate the fare and toll of passengers on railroads of this State--fixing the rate at 3c. per mile.
By Mr. MORGAN, [159] to protect sheep and lax dogs--taxing the owners of dogs for the purpose of paying for sheep destroyed.
By Mr WOODRUFF, [160] to amend section 47 of the road act.
By Mr. SPENCER, [Kill to amend the 22d section of the trespass act.
By Mr. JOHNSON, [162] relative to salaries of Sinking Fund officers.
By Mr. GIVEN. [163] to authorize county Commissioners to vacate city or town incorporations in certain cases.
By Mr. DONALDSON. [KM] to amend the 8th section of the Plank Road Act.
By Mr. MILROY. [165] to amend section 1 of the Exemption Act.
By Mr. WATERMAN, [166] supplemental to the Election Act--of Iowa officers.
By Mr. LEEDS. [167] to entitle special surgeons, who have proceeded to any battle field, 10 pay as Assistant Surgeons.
By Mr. BURTON, [168] to repeal the dog law.
By Mr. MUTZ, [169] to prohibit trespass on lands for the purpose of hunting.
By Mr. HOWK. [170] to amend the 4th section of the Common Pleas Act, relative to holding courts in Clark, Scott, Washington, Harrison and Floyd counties.
By Mr. O'BRIEN, of Hamilton. [171] to amend section 2 of the county officers' act.
By Mr. FERRIS, [172] to regulate railroad passenger and freight tariffs.
By Mr. NIBLACK, [173] to amend the Practice Act.
By Mr. HUMPHREYS, [174] to amend section 1 of the act regulating Justices of the Peace.
By Mr. HOWARD, [175] to amend the Common School Act.
By Mr. HOSTETTER, [176] to authorize constables to administer all oaths necessary in the discharge of their duties.
By Mr. PACKARD, [177] regulating sales of real estate.
By Mr. HARNEY, [178] to repeal aa act amending the felony act.
By Mr. KEMP, of Dubois, [179] to amend an act regulating fees and salaries.
