IN SENATE.
SATURDAY, February 21, 1863.Mr. NEW presented a petition from the 7th regiment, which was ordered to be printed, with the papers forwarded from the army of the Cumberland.
Reports from committees recommending that Senate bills 109, (see page 128:) 120, (p. 150;) and joint resolution 9. (p. 117;) be laid on the table, were severally concurred in.
Mr. MELLETT offered the following, which was adopted :
WHEREAS, The General Assembly desire to join, on Monday next, in the proposed celebration of Washington's birthday; therefore,
Resolved, That when the Senate adjourn this afternoon, it adjourn to meet on Tuesday, at 9 a. m.
FURLOUGHS FOR SICK SOLDIERS.
Mr. MURRAY offered the following:
WHEREAS, The policy pursued by the military authorities having charge of the volunteer militia of this State, in the prosecution of the war, in refusing furloughs to our sick and wounded soldiers, whereby they could return to their homes for the restoration of their health, until their recovery was beyond reasonable hope, is a needless and cruel sacrifice of the lives of our citizen soldiery--detrimental to the public service by discouraging enlistments, and creating a feeling of hostility to the war; and,
WHEREAS, The Legislature of Indiana has already placed the necessary means in the hands of the Governor to avert, as far as possible, the sad calamities of this war, which is filling our State with
page: 166[View Page 166]desolated homes, and is still willing to adopt any means in its power to save the lives of those who have generously and patriotically offered them to the service of their country for the restoration of the Union; therefore,
Be it Resolved by the Senate, the House concurring, That His Excellency, Oliver P. Morton, together with our Senators and Representatives in Congress, be, and they are hereby, respectfully requested to use their influence with the War Department in such manner as shall procure for each sick and wounded Indiana soldier a furlough home at the expense of the Government, whenever the Regimental or Hospital Surgeon shall certify that such sick or wounded soldier is not likely to be fit for duty within twenty days.
Resolved, That suitable arrangements also be made whereby all such furloughed soldiers of this State shall be reported to the Adjutant General of the State, their names, places of residence, and the time for which they have been furloughed, in order that, at the expiration of their furloughs, or at such time after the expiration thereof as they shall be declared fit for duty by competent Surgeons at their place of residence, all such soldiers may by the Adjutant General of the State be ordered back to their several regiments.
Resolved, That upon the passage of this concurrent resolution, a copy thereof be presented to the Governor, and one forwarded to each of our Senators and Representatives in Congress by the Secretary of the Senate.
The resolutions were adopted unanimously.
BILLS ON THE THIRD READING.
Mr. Blair's bill, [S.4] to amend the law fixing docket fees, increasing the salaries of prosecutors, and prohibiting them from appointing deputies; failed for the want of a constitutional majority; yeas 25, nays 12.
Mr. Beeson's bill, [S. 80] to amend the liquor licence law so as to require the license money to be paid to the County Treasurer before receiving the license certificate, was read.
Mr. WOLFE moved an amendment to reduce the license from $50 to $20
Mr. FERGUSON moved to amend the amendment and make the license $30.
Mr. NEW moved to lay both amendments on the table.
The bill was informally passed over.
Senate bills, [144] regulating Sheriffs' fees, 145 and 146--introduced day before yesterday--147. and joint resolution 13--introduced yesterday-- were read the second time, and appropriately referred--except 146, 147, and the joint resolution, which were ordered engrossed.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
House bills 27, (see page 50:) 35, (p. 54;) 72, (p. 68;) 75, (p. 82;) 123, (p. 110;) 147, (p. 122;) and joint resolution 15. (printed on pages 77 and 78;) were read the first time.
NEW PROPOSITIONS.
The following bills were introduced, read the first time and severally passed to the second reading:
By Mr. MARCH, [149] to prevent the circulation of counterfeit coin, and altered and worthless bank bills. Treasury notes, and postal currency. (The bill authorizes banks to stamp such counterfeits, and affixes penalties for stamping genuine coin or paper.)
By Mr. DOWNEY, [150] to amend an act to amend section 19 of an act to fix the time of holding the Common Pleas Court approved February 15, 1861.
By Mr. BROWN, of Wells, [151] to prohibit Clerks of Circuit and Courts of Common Pleas and their Deputies from practicing law or performing; any of the duties of Attorneys in any of the Courts of which they are Clerks.
By Mr. COBB, [152] to amend section 19 of "An act to provide for the opening, vacating and change of high ways," approved June 17, 1852.
By Mr. NEW. [153] to amend section 6 of an act to repeal all laws now in force for the incorporation of cities, approve March 9, 1857, and to provide for a penally upon city taxes remaining delinquent after the third Monday in March A.D. 1857, approved March 1. 1859.
Mr. RAY called up the resolution in regard to the time of meeting of the Senate and for holding night sessions two evenings in the week. The resolution passed, amended so as to meet at 8 1/2 a.m. and 1 1/2 p.m. and to hold evening sessions on Wednesday and Friday evenings of each week, commencing at 7 1/2 p. m.
On motion by Mr. MARCH, the bill H. R. 109,--see page 109--was taken from the table and referred buck to the Finance Committee.
