IN SENATE.
WEDNESDAY, January 14, 1863.n motion by Mr. BROWN, of Wells, it was--
Resolved, That the Committee on Judiciary be instructed to inquire whether, or not, sufficient power is invert by the Constitution to the legislative branches of the State government, to compel the attendance of their members; if not, whether or not an amendment or amendments to the Constitution, conferring such power be advisable; or, if such power is given by the Constitution, whether or not any legislation in pursuance there is needed, and that they report, at the earliest practicable period in the session, by bill or otherwise.
On motion by Mr. MOORE, in was--
Resolved, That the committee on the Judiciary be instructed to inquire into the expediency of abolishing the office of Attorney General, with power to report by bill or otherwise.
QUALIFICATIONS OF MEMBERS.
Mr. CLAYPOOL offered the following, which was adopted:
page: 44[View Page 44]WHEREAS, It is said that the Senator from Henry, Hon. Joshua H. Mellett, the Senator from Laporte, Hon. A. Teegarden, the Senator from Shelby, Hon. Martin M. Ray, the Senator from Miami, Hon. Daniel R. Bearss, have since their election as Senators, been appointed and discharged the duties of Enrolling or Drafting Commissioners for their respective counties, therefore
Resolved, That the committee on Elections be instructed to inquire and report to this Senate whether the Senators aforesaid have vacated their seats in this Senate, by their acceptance of the position of Carolling or Drafting Commissioner as aforesaid.
On motion by Mr. BRADLEY, it was--
Resolved, That the Auditor of State he requested to communicate to the Senate, whether the Taxes levied by the State from time to time upon the property of corporations for common School purposes, has been set aside and distributed to the Counties as Principal of the Common School Fund, or whether or the same has been distributed under the head of Interest of Common School Fund.
Mr. MARCH introduced a joint resolution [S. 1] to amend the Constitution so as to empower incorporated cities and towns to levy special school taxes, which was read the first time and passed to the second reading.
NEW PROPOSITIONS.
The following bills were introduced read the first time and passed to the second reading:
By Mr. NEW, [6] ceding to the United States of America jurisdiction over certain lands and their appurtenances, in the county of Marion, and exempting the same from taxation.
By Mr. WILSON, [7] to amend sections 33 and 35 of an act to provide for a general system of common schools, approved March 11. 1861.
By Mr. BROWNE, of Randolph [8] to repeal an act to provide for the election of the Attorney General of the State, approved February 21, 1855.
By Mr. BROWNE, of Randolph, [9] repealing the tenth section of an act entitled an act to establish Courts of Conciliation, approved June 11, 1852.
ELECTION OF STATE OFFICERS.
The House resolution to go into the election of Agent of State, President of Sinking Fund Commissioners, State Printer and State Librarian at 4 p.m., to day was taken up.
Mr. LANDERS moved to concur with an amendment striking out "State Printer." Last year the Democratic party contended that the office should be abolished, and he now wished the election for this officer to be deferred until it could be ascertained if economy would be promoted by abolishing the office.
Mr. MOORE feared a trick. The party in caucus decided to go into the election and nominated a candidate, and he wanted to adhere to that action.
The amendment was agreed to, and the resolution as amended was adopted.
On motion, the Senate took a recess till 2 o'clock, p. m.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
A message from the House announced the concurrence of that body in the resolution of the Senate to go into the election of President of Sinking Fund and other officers at 4 p.m.
FEES AND SALARIES.
Mr. WOLFE offered a resolution, which was adopted, that the Auditor of State be requested to lay before the Senate an abstract of fees and salaries on file in his office.
ILLEGAL VOTING.
Mr MARCH introduced joint resolution [2] to amend the 2d section of Article of the Constitution--so that the Legislature can more effectually guard against fraudulent voting, which was read the first time and passed to the second reading.
ANIMALS IN TOWNS.
Mr. TEEGARDEN offered a resolution, which was adopted, that the Committee on Corporations report on the expediency of so amending the act incorporating cities as to make the owners of stock running at large liable for damage done.
The hour fixed by the concurrent resolution having arrived upon the invitation of the House the Senate proceeded to the hall of the House to go into Joint Convention for the election of United States Senators.
When the Senators returned to their chamber the Senate adjourned.
