HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
TUESDAY, February 17, 1863.The reading of the Clerk's journal of yesterday's proceedings was dispensed with.
Mr. HANNA, on presenting a petition, from citizens of Indiana, praying that the German language be taught in common schools, said: Mr. Speaker, I hold in my hand a petition, signed by six hundred German citizens of Lawrenceburg, Aurora, Terre Haute and other important points throughout the State, asking that this Assembly shall endeavor to fix upon some plan by which they may enjoy their distributive share of the public school fund of the State. It is well known, sir, that above one-fourth of the population of Indiana is of German extraction. It is not surprising then that this class of our fellow citizens should feel particular anxiety on this question--that they should exhibit an extraordinary pride in the enjoyment of the educating funds of the State. All will agree that they are a frugal, earnest and intelligent people, obedient to law and ambitious for the perpetuity of our free institutions. That they should be anxious to teach their mother tongue to their children, is only a question of legal expediency--not a proper subject for party criticism. Schiller and Goethe have fired their hearts with the beauty and splendor of their vernacular. I will second all their endeavors to infuse the enthusiasm which these and other great masters of the German tongue have excited into the young hearts of the vast German population on this continent. I will do all I can in this direction consistently with my obligation as a member of this legislative body. I page: 155[View Page 155] believe this petition may be met successfully, but that the whole question may be carefully canvassed and fully presented, move to refer the petition to the Committee on Education. The petition was so referred.
REPORTS PROM COMMITTEES.
Recommending that Senate bills 19 (see page 60;) 33, (p. 80;) and House bills 99. 101, (p. 94;) 122, (p. 110;) 131, (p. 112;) and 170, (p. 135;) be laid on the table, were severally concurred in.
The Judiciary Committee reported back a resolution in reference to the marriage of a female ward under age, with a statement that such marriage does discharge the guardian from responsibility for the property of the female ward.
On motion by Mr. VAN BUSKIRK the majority and minority reports on the bill H. R. 118--see page 110--were taken from the table and re-committed to the appropriate committee.
BILLS ON THE THIRD READING.
The following described bills were read the third time and finally passed:
Mr. Waterman's. (H. R. 27) providing for special sessions of Boards of County Commissioners, by yeas 83, nays 2.
Mr. Hoagland's, (S. 93) extending the time of completion of railroads upon which $2,000 per mile have been expended, by yeas 84, nays 1.
Mr. March's, (S. 16) in reference to the settlement of decedents' estates, by yeas 83, nays 0.
Mr. Roberts' resolution--introduced yesterday--to meet earlier, and hold night sessions, was adopted, after amending it so that sessions commence at 9 a. m. and 1 1/2 p. m., and night sessions on Monday and Thursday evenings at 71/2 p. m.
Mr.ROBERTS offered a resolution,which was adopted, directing the doorkeeper to procure a national flag, and place it on the dome of the Capitol on the 23d of February, and that Col. Garrington give a salute of 100 guns on that occasion.
RESOLUTIONS OF INQUIRY.
Addressed to appropriate committees,were offered, read, and severally adopted:
By Mr. NEWMAN, as to steps to promote the cultivation of Chinese sugar cane.
By Mr. GREGORY, instructing the Sinking Fund Commissioners to distribute to the several counties their pro rata share of such funds.
NEW PROPOSITIONS.
The following bills were introduced, read the first time and severally passed to the second reading:
By Mr. NIBLACK. (208) limiting action on forfeited recognizances to two years.
By Mr. MILLER,(209 ) an act entitling Attorneys to liens on judgments for fees.
By Mr. KENDRICK, (2 10) amending the a school law, providing for teaching the German language.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
By Mr. HOWK. (211) ceding to the United States of America certain lands in Floyd county as a burying ground for soldiers.
By Mr. SPENCER, (212) authorizing School Trustees to borrow money for the purpose of erecting school houses.
By Mr. BLOCHER, (213) amending section 45 of the road law so as to make a public highway after six years' use.
Mr. NEWMAN,(214) amending section 3 of the law licensing the sale of spirituous liquors.
By Mr. HALL, (215) establishing an Agricultural College and appropriating for its endowment.
By Mr. RIPPEY. (210) amending the 129th section of the practice act.
By Mr. WOODRUFF, (217) repealing section 57 of the act defining felonies.
By Mr. WATERMAN, (218) providing for distribution of surplus revenue fund to the several counties.
By Mr. GREGORY, (219) to protect farmers from the unlawful conduct of sportsmen and hunters of wild game.
By Mr. COOK. (220) to enforce the 13th article of the Constitution, offering negroes and mulattoes who come into the State and refuse to leave, or returning after being taken out, for sale first for three months, and for every offence thereafter for twelve months.
By Mr. HANNA, (22h an act providing for the organization of the Indiana militia, for a military tax, and for other matters properly connected with the militia of the State.
By Mr. LASSELLE, (222) to punish Sheriffs and other civil officers failing to turn over documents to their successors.
By Mr. WATERMAN, (223) providing for courts when Judges fail to attend.
By Mr. LASSELLE, (224) amending section 52 of the act amending the act authorizing the business of general banking.
By Mr. HOWK, [225] providing for the reduction of the par value of stock of incorporated companies in certain cases.
Mr. Miller's bill, [H. R. 109] relating to the relief of borrowers of the Sinking Fund, was read the third time and passed by yeas 87, nays 1.
Mr. PRIEST offered a resolution, appointing a committee of five to make arrangements for raising the national flag over the dome of the Capitol on the 23d inst., which was adopted, and Messrs. Priest, Tarkington, Van Buskirk, Roberts, and Packard appointed in pursuance thereof.
WORK FOR COMMITTEES.
House bills 169 to 190 inclusive--see pages 135 and 141--were read the second time and appropriately referred, except 170, 180, and 129, which were ordered engrossed.
