HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
THURSDAY, January 26 1865.The SPEAKER took the Chair at 9 o'clock A. M., and directed a call of the roll by the Clerk, which proceeded till a quorum was ascertained to be present and within the bar of the House.
The journal of yesterday was read.
PETITIONS AND MEMORIALS.
Mr. SHOAFF, of Allen, presented the petition of many citizens of the county of Allen, praying for a change in the School law, which was referred to the Committee on Education.
Mr. COOK, Mr. BOYD and Mr. ABBETT, each presented a memorial for claims, which, without reading, was referred to the Claims Committee.
JENNINGS AND BARTHOLOMEW
Mr. MILLER, of Tippecanoe, from the Committee on the organization of Courts of Justice, reported back the bill [S. 6 ] (Court bill,) with amendments, striking out from the title, the words "Jennings county," and striking out all after the enacting clause and inserting a new bill.
It lies on the table under the rule.
INTRODUCTION OF BILLS.
Mr. WOODS introduced a bill [H.R. No. 86,] for an act to authorize the digging of a ditch or canal from the Little Calumet river to the Grand Calumet river, in Lake county.
Mr. HUMPHREYS introduced a bill [H. R. No. 87.] for an act to amend the first section of he act to amend the General Practice act of June 18, 1852, approved February 2, 1855;
Which bills were passed to the second reading.
COMMON PLEAS.
Mr. PRATHER submitted the following:
WHEREAS, An additional expense is incurred by he people of the State, in consequence of our Common Pleas Courts of over $200,000 per annum, which mount would be saved by abolishing those courts and transferring the business thereof to the Circuit courts; therefore
Resolved, That a committee of one from each Judicial District be appointed to inquire into the expediency of abolishing said courts and transferring their business to the Circuit Courts, and increasing the compensation of Circuit Judges, end report by bill or otherwise.
Mr. BROWN thought it should go to the special Committee on courts. He was opposed to select and special committees doing business of regular committees of the House. He moved to so amend the resolution.
Mr. PRATHER had but this objection: He would like for this resolution to go into the hands of its friends. He was satisfied that the people of the State demanded that that page: 119[View Page 119] shall exist no longer. The business would be better done by the Circuit Courts.
Mr. RHOADS moved to refer it to the special Committee already ordered to be appointed on that subject.
Mr. COFFROTH preferred a special Committee; but did not think such a committee had been appointed.
Mr. SPENCER preferred Mr. Brown's motion.
Mr. Brown's motion (having precedence) was first taken; and it was rejected.
The resolution was then referred to the special Committee.
AMENDMENT OF THE RULES.
Mr. HIGGINS gave notice, that to-morrow he would move to amend the first rule of the House of Representatives, by adding these words: "Unless by a vote of the House the reading of the journal be dispensed with."
LEGISLATIVE EXPENSES.
Mr. BUSKIRK rose to a question of privilege: He found on examination that he had but just 35 cents in his pocket, and moved that the order of business be dispensed with, and that the House take up the consideration of the Senate bill No. 1, for Legislative expenses.
The SPEAKER. It was not a question of privilege.
Mr. BUSKIRK. Only so far as to gain the attention of the House.
Mr. BRANHAM opposed the motion, insisting on relieving the soldiers first.
The motion was rejected on a divison--affirmative 40, negative 32--two-thirds not voting in the affirmative.
COMPENSATION OF COUNTY OFFICERS.
Mr. ZEIGLER submitted the following,which was referred to the Committee on Fees and Salaries:
WHEREAS, In these times of high prices, men in county offices are complaining that their salaries are too low; therefore,
Resolved, That the Committee on Fees and Salaries be requested to take this matter into consideration, and inquire whether or not the salaries of county officers should be raised, and report by bill or otherwise.
BILLS INTRODUCED.
Mr. HERSHEY introduced a bill [H. R. 88] for an act to authorize high schools, academies, colleges, universities, theological institutions, seminaries, and missionary boards formed under the laws of this State to change their corporate name.
Mr. GROVES introduced a bill [H. R. No. 89] for an act to allow cities and towns to permit he location of railroads over the streets and alleys thereof for the purpose of carrying coal to and through said towns and cities.
Mr. RHOADS introduced a bill [H. R. No. 90] for an act to amend the 3d section of the act regulating the docket fees of the District Attorneys of the Common Pleas, and before Justices of the Peace, fixing said attorney's salaries, &c., approved June 4,1861.
Mr. MILLER, of Tippecanoe, introduced a bill [H. R. 91,] for an act to direct the discharge of bonds given by foreign executors and guardians, upon application to sell real estate.
Mr. STUCKEY introduced a bill [H. R. No. 92,] for an act fixing the time of filing the original papers in actions before county commissioners' courts, and the time of filing claims against the county.
Which were severally read and passed to the second reading.
ROADS.
Mr. GOODMAN submitted the following:
Resolved, That the Committee on Roads and Highways be instructed to inquire into the expediency of reporting a bill authorizing County Boards to make appropriations to open, build and repair roads and highways.
It was referred to the Committee on Roads and Highways.
HOUSE OF CORRECTION.
Mr. WRIGHT submitted the following:
Resolved, That the Committee on the Southern Prison be instructed to inquire into the expediency and propriety of converting the Northern Prison into a House of Correction, and report by bill or otherwise.
Mr. CHURCH moved that it be referred to the Committee on the State Prison North.
Mr. WRIGHT was informed that there were 250 empty cells in, the Southern prison; and that they were asking for a large appropriation for the Northern Prison.
Mr. HIGGINS. It was a matter that strictly interests the State Prison North. There were many questions connected with the suggestion in the resolution, which upon investigation might show that the object sought is not expedient. He suggested a special committee.
Mr. WRIGHT. By means of a house of correction, there were many young persons guilty of small offenses, whom the State might reform and save from the disgrace and destruction, of the companionship of penitentiary convicts. He did not object very strenuously to a special committee.
Mr. HIGGINS thought there were good reasons why the project should not be adopted. The labor of the prisoners in the Northern Prison was leased for seventy cents a day, while the pay for Southern prison labor was but forty cents a day.
It was referred to a Select Committee of Five.
PROCEEDINGS OF COMMITTEES.
Mr. BOYD submitted the following:
Resolved, That each of the committees of this House be requested to keep a record of their proceedings; and that the said records be filed in the State Library, to be kept by the Librarian as part of the proceedings of this House.
It was adopted.
EXECUTIVE REPORTS.
Mr. BROWN submitted the following:
Resolved, That His Excellency, the Governor, be requested to lay before this House the annual reports of the Auditor and Treasurer of State, together with all reports required to be made to him, which by law he is required to present to this body.
It was adopted.
LANDLORDS AND TENANTS.
Mr. MILROY submitted the following:
Resolved, That the Committee on the Judiciary be instructed to inquire into the propriety of reporting a bill amendatory of the law relative to landlords and tenants, so as to require six months to dispossess the wife and family of any soldier enlisted or drafted in the service of the United States.
It was adopted.
page: 120[View Page 120]PROCEEDINGS OF COMMITTEES.
Mr. BROWN moved to reconsider the vote by which Mr. Boyd's resolution relative to the proceedings of committees was adopted.
Mr. BOYD. The committees now could find no record by which they can be guided by the action of former committees. He referred specially to the present embarrassment of the Committee on Claims in this regard. He gave the case of a fraud of $2,000 practiced on the State for want of a record to show that the claim had been rejected. The Committee on Claims needed the proceedings of the Claims Committee of two years ago, in the examination of claims before that committee at the last session, when no appropriation was made for claims. He said the present Committee on Claims, of which he is Chairman, intended to keep a, record, and also the Committee on Ways and Means, whether his resolution was adopted or not.
Mr. GREGORY, of Warren, did not object to those committees keeping a record. It would take a good deal of stationery to keep the records of the Committee on Education. It would require a large amount of extra clerical labor in matters that would hardly ever be referred to. For these considerations he was opposed to the resolution.
Mr. BRANHAM said, since he had been a member of this House the Committee on Ways and Means had kept a record; and these records were found very convenient and important for reference.
Mr. HIGGINS. Would not the resolution require an extra copy to be made of the proceedings in committee.
Mr. BRANHAM supposed not. He supposed there was no committee of the House but kept some sort of a record.
The resolution was reconsidered-affirmative 40, negative 24, and the question recurred on its adoption.
Mr. CHAMBERS moved to amend so as to require the Committees on Claims and Ways and Meansto keep a record, &c.
Mr. PRATHER preferred the original resolution.
Mr. GRIFFITH suggested a difficulty about recovering what has not been recorded.
Mr. SHOAFF, of Jay, proposed to amend the amendment by reading "all committees who desire it."
Mr. Chambers's amendment was agreed to.
And then, as amended, the resolution was adopted.
COUNTY WAR BONDS.
Mr. NEWCOMB moved to suspend the regular order of business, to enable him to make a motion to consider in Committee of the Whole, the Judiciary Committee's bill, H. R. No. 70.
The motion was agreed to.
On motion, by Mr. DUNHAM, the House then resolved into Committee of the Whole Mr. HENRICKS in the chair and the bill was taken up.
The CHAIRMAN stated the question to be on Mr. Coffroth's amendment by way of substitute.
Mr. DUNHAM submitted the following:
Strike out from the enacting clause and insert the following:
- Section 1. That there shall be paid by the State of Indiana, to all volunteers and drafted men from said State a bounty of $300, one-third of which shall be paid whenever the volunteer or drafted man shall be mustered into the service of the United States; one-third at the end of four months, and one-third at the end of eight months after said muster.
- Sec. 2. That for the purpose of paying said bounties four million five hundred thousand dollars, or so much thereof as may be required, are hereby appropriated out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated.
- Sec. 3. That for the purpose of meeting the appropriation in the preceding section made, there shall be assessed and collected ten cents upon each one hundred dollars of valuation of the taxable property subject to taxation in the State.
- Sec. 4. That no volunteer or drafted man shall, bedraft, and had so resided at least thirty days prior thereto.
- Sec. 5. All bounties by counties, cities, towns or townships, are hereby declared illegal and void, and are hereby strictly prohibited.
- Sec. 6. Any officer, whether county, city, town or township, who shall in any wise be concerned in granting or paying any bounty in contravention of the next preceding section, or who shall be in any wise aiding or abetting in so doing, shall be declared guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon due conviction thereof shall be fined not less than 500 nor more than $1,000, to which may be added imprisonment for not more than one year.
- Sec. 7. That whereas an emergency is declared to exist for the immediate taking effect of this act, it shall take effect and be in force from and alter its passage.
The CHAIRMAN decided the amendment out of order.
Mr. NEWCOMB moved that the committee rise and report the bill and pending amendments to the House; but gave way for
Mr. DUNHAM. Our action on this matter should be taken at once. As we were going on, not only the State, but every county in the State, would be bankrupt. The General Government want men, The only question was how to get them justly. Some restrictions should be placed on counties and cities--on their bounty schemes--which impoverished themselves and did not supply men for the service. It was just the richer districts drawing men away from the poorer districts, and so leaving a heavier quota in the poorer townships. It would take the blood of the poorer and some of the money of the wealthier townships. It was simply a question between blood and money. Bounties should be given by the State not the counties and cities; because that would be doing away this grabbing system of local bounties--this huckstering speculation in humanity. Then, when peace shall return, be looked forward to a career of prosperity; then the State would assume all these bad debts and then the State, perhaps, could successfully apply to the General Government to assume it all; so that the entire burden would fall equal upon all the country. Now the burdens of the Eastern States have no comparison to the burdens of the agricultural and producing States of the West. If this matter were left to the counties and cities, it would be almost impossible to get relief from the General Government. And his chief objection to the original bill was, that it would mortgage for time immemorial the property of the counties beyond the hope of relief. But with his proposition was the advantage of the page: 121[View Page 121] soundness and continuing credit of the State. He referred to a court decision to the effect, that these county debts were collectable to the extent repeatedly selling the realty of the entire country.
Mr. RICE. What right had the State to call on the United States to pay this debt of Indiana when they have a similar debt?
Mr. DUNHAM had no better reason for his remark than the feeling of gratitude for service that would rise up in the future day of our national prosperity.
Mr. Newcomb's motion, that the committee rise, was agreed to, and thereupon--
The committee rose and the CHAIRMAN reported the bill and amendments back to the House, and asked to be discharged from their further consideration.
The report was concurred in.
On motion of Mr. NEWCOMB, the bill and ending amendments were referred to a select committee of seven.
BILLS ON THE SECOND READING.
On the motion of Mr. NEWCOMB, the regular order of business was further suspended, ind the House took up the consideration of hills on the second reading.
Mr. Whiteside's bill [H. R. No. 18]-service of summons on non-residents;
Mr. Newcomb's bill [No. 19]--testimony of interested parties, amending section 2, of article 238 of the general practice act;--said bills coming up, were read and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Mr. Hogate's bill [No. 20,] for the encouragement of agriculture-annual appropriation of $2,000 to State Board;-coming up, was referred to the Committee on Agriculture.
Mr. Harrison's bill, [No. 21,] amending the 27th section of the misdemeanor act, was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Mr. Wood's bill [No. 22] to legalize the sale of school lands, was referred to the Committee on Education.
Mr. Collins's bill [No 23,] for draining lands, was referred to the Committee on Swamp Lands.
AGRICULTURAL INSTITUTE.
Mr. Rhoads's bill [No. 24] accepting the Congressional donation of lands, &c., and to create the Indiana Institute of Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts,-coming up-
Mr. MILLER, of Tippecanoe, proposed to amend, by way of substituting the printed bill of the Senate, for the establishment of the Indiana College of Agriculture.
Mr. BUSKIRK moved to refer the bill and pending amendment to the Committee on Education.
Mr. MILLER, of Tippecanoe, preferred a Select Committee of one from each Congressional District.
Mr. BUSKIRK desired the House to keep all these bills together.
The bill and amendment were referred to the Committee on Education.
RAILROADS.
On motion of Mr. NEWCOMB, his bill (No. 59)-(canal companies, except the Wabash and Erie, may convey property to railroads,) was taken up (out of order) and read the second time by the Clerk.
Mr. STEWART proposed to amend by inserting after the word "Erie," these words, "and the White Water Canal.
On motion of Mr. NEWCOMB, the bill and proposed amendment were referred to the Committee on Railroads.
BARTHOLOMEW AND JENNINGS.
On motion of Mr. ABBETT, the Senate bill [6,] (a court bill, affecting Bartholomew and Jennings counties, with the House Committee's amendment,) was taken up, and the amendment adopted; the bill was then considered as engrossed, and passed the third and last reading in the House of Representatives-yeas 85, nays 0.
Mr. COLLINS moved an order for an afternoon session.
It was agreed to.
COUNTY BUSINESS.
On motion by Mr. BECKETT, the regular order of business was further suspended, and the House took up the bill [No. 45] to legalise the act of civil officers in the military service of the United States; and it was read the second time by the Clerk; and on his further motion, it was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
DOG LAW.
On motion of Mr. BUSKIRK, (by unanimous consent), Mr. Shoaff of Allen's bill [No. 8] for taxing dogs, was taken up and read through the third time by the Clerk.
Mr. COLLINS proposed a clerical amendment, substituting the word "fund" for "revenue," which was agreed to.
Mr. GREGORY, of Montgomery. The sole object of the bill was to raise a revenue on dogs-taxing all dogs alike. This thing was unequal. It would not protect sheep.
Mr. BUSKIRK. It repeals the license clause and the authority to kill dogs.
Mr. GRIFFITH. Was it not the best we could get?
Mr. NEWCOMB proposed to recommit the bill to a select committee of five.
Mr. GREGORY, of Montgomery, acquiesced.
Mr. RHOADS desired to propose an amendment.
The SPEAKER said it was out of order-the bill was on the third reading.
Mr. DUNHAM said he had intended with all due respect, to appeal from that decision; but after some conversation with the Chair, it was judged best to amend the 53d rule so that it could not admit of diverse constructions.
Mr. RHOADS proposed to amend the bill-striking out the words "female dog," and inserting "bitch" in lieu; striking out "male" before "dog;" $3 tax for the first dog, and $2 for each additional dog; $5 tax for the first bitch, and $2 for each additional bitch.
The bill and pending amendments were referred to a Select Committee of Five.
The House then took a recess until 2 o'clock P. M.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The SPEAKER resumed the chair at 2 o'clock P. M., and announced the following special committee:
Special committee on the Judiciary Committee's bill No. 70: Messrs. Newcomb, Bran- page: 122[View Page 122] ham, Dunham, Brown, Church, Lasselle, and Miller of Tippecanoe.
VERMILLION APPRAISEMENT.
Mr. RHOADS moved for a suspension of the rules to enable him to call up his bill [No. 84] to legalize the acts of the Vermillion County Commissioners, and of the District and State Boards of Equalization, adopting the appraisement of 1859.
The motion was agreed to and the bill was taken up and read the second time by the Clerk.
On motion of Mr. RHOADS, the bill was considered as engrossed, and ordered to the third reading to-morrow.
COMMISSIONERS OF THE SINKING FUND.
Mr. NEWCOMB asked and obtained unanimous consent to offer a concurrent resolution for a joint committee of the two houses tor the election of three Commissioners of the Sinking Fund, this day at the hour of 4 o'clock P. M.
It was adopted.
NEGRO TESTIMONY.
The SPEAKER announced the order of the consideration of Mr. Foulke's.bill, [H R. 25] for an act to repeal the act to prohibit evidence of Indians and persons having one-eighth or more of negro blood, of March 14, 1853, in all cases where white persons are parties in interest.
The bill having been read the second time by the Clerk-
Mr. COFFROTH moved to lay it on the table, demanding the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered and taken, resulting-yeas 41, nays 45-as follows:
YEAS-Messrs. Abbett, Beckett, Bird, Boyd, Brown, Burton, Burwell, Buskirk, Coffroth, Collins, Colover, Croan, Emerson, Glazebrook, Gregg, Groves, Hargrove, Harrison, Humphreys, Hunt, Lasselle, Lemon, Lopp, Milroy, O'Brien, Osbora, Patterson, Perigo, Puett, Richards, Richardson, Roach, Shoaff, of Allen, Shoaff, of Jay, Spencer, Stinger, Sullivan, of Scott, Thatcher, Veach, White, and Wright-41.
NAYS-Messrs. Banta, Boxmer, Burnes, Chambers, Church, Cox, Crork, Ferris, Foulke, Goodman,Gregory, of Montgomery, Gregory, of Warren, Griffith, Henricks, Hershey, Higgins, Hogate, Hoover, Johnson, Kilgore, Lockhart, Major, Miller, of Tippecanoe, Montgomery, McVey, Newcomb, Prather, Reese, Rhoads, Riford, Sabin, Shuey, Sim, Stewart, Stivers, Stringer, Sullivan, of Posey and Vanderburg, Trusler, Upson, Welch, Whiteside, Willis, Woods, Zeigler, and Mr. Speaker-45.
Mr. BOYD (when his name was called). While he was willing to do what was proper to elevate the negro race, he was not willing to place them on an entire equality with white men. He voted No.
Mr. MEREDITH, (when his name was called,) would vote against laying the bill on the table, because as prosecutor he had found cases in which the existing legal disability of negroes had covered up crime.
Mr. NEWCOMB. For those of Mr. Meredith, and for two additional reasons, voted no. He did not think a black man worse than a man from out of the Penitentiary, &c.
So the House refused to lay the bill on the table.
Mr. BUSKIRK moved that the bill be indefinitely postponed.
And the yeas and nays being demanded,ordered and taken thereon, resulted-yeas 35, nays 50 as follows:
YEAS-Messrs. Abbett, Becket, Bird, Brown, Burton, Burwell, Buskirk, Coffroth, Collins, Colover, Croan, Emerson, Glazebrook, Gregg, Groves, Hargrove, Harrison, Humphreys, Hunt, Laselle, Lemon, Lopp, Milroy, Osborn, Patterson, Perigo, Puett, Richards, Kichardson, Roach, Shoaff, of Allen, Shoaff, of Jay, Spencer, Sullivan, of Scott, Thatcher, Veach, White and Wright.-35.
NAYS-Messrs. Banta, Bonner, Boyd, Burnes, Chambers, Church, Cox, Crook, Ferris, Foulke, Goodman, Gregory of Montgomery, Gregory of Warren, Griffith, Henricks, Hershey, Higgins, Hogate, Hoover, Johnson, Kilgore, Lockhart, Major, Miller of Tippecanoe, Montgomery, McVey, Newcomb, Prather, Reese, Rhoads, Rice, Riford, Sabin, Shuey, Sim, Stewart, Stivers, Stringer, Sullivan, of Posey & V., Trussler, Upson, Welch, Whiteside, Willis, Woods, Zeigler and Mr. Speaker-50.
Mr. BOYD (explaining his vote) said he was willing to give the right to testify in certain cases, but not so broadly as in the bill. The motion to indefinitely postpone would carry it beyond this session, and he wanted some action on the subject. Therefore he voted "No."
Mr. GRIFFITH (explaining.) I am not in favor of negro equality in the party sense. Our party have stood against it. I am not in favor of giving negroes the right of holding office and voting. I want justice to be done; and I conceive it quite as just to permit an honest. negro to give testimony, as a dishonest and debased white man.. Therefore I vote against indefinite postponement.
Mr. ZEIGLER. I vote "No," because I an a Dutchman; and the same reason that would exclude a negro might exclude a Dutchman.
So the House refused to postpone the bill, and the question recurred on engrossment.
Mr. BURNES moved to refer the bill to the Committee on Rights and Privileges; pending which motion-
BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS OFFICERS BANK DlRECTOBS.
The SPEAKER announced the order of the elections appointed for this hour by the Senate concurrent resolution adopted this morning.
Mr. BUSKIRK moved that the elections be made in the order mentioned in the concurred resolution, which was agreed to.
The SPEAKER. Nominations are in order.
Mr. NEWCOMB nominated Andrew Wallace of Marion, for President of the Boards of Trustees.
Mr. COFFROTH nominated Aquilla of Marion.
The vote, as taken and reported to the Chair by the Clerk, resulted as follows:
Mr. Wallace received..............................51 votes.
Mr. Jones received.....................................36
votes.
Mr. NEWCOMB nominated Dr. P. H. Jameson, of Marion, one of the Commissioners of Insane Asylum.
Mr. THACKER nominated Dr. Benjamin Newland, of Lawrence county.
Mr. Jameson received......................53 votes.
Mr. Newland received......................34 votes.
Mr. NEWCOMB nominated John W. Moody, of Clinton county, the other Commissoner of the institution.
Mr. COFFROTH nominated William B. Lyons, of Huntington county.
Mr. Moody received....................................53 votes.
Mr. Lyons received................... ..,.,..,,..,......34
votes.
Mr. NEWCOMB nominated John S. Spann, of Marion county, for oneo f the Trustees of the Institution for the Education of the Blind.
Mr. BUSKIRK nominated Dr. B.W. Cooper, of Hancock.
Mr. Spann received......................53 votes.
Mr. Cooper received....................34 votes.
Mr. GREGORY, of Montgomery, nominated John Baird, of Montgomery county, for the other Trustee of said institution.
Mr. SULLIVAN, of Scott, nominated Dr. D. McClure, of Clark county.
Mr. Baird received.....................................54 votes
Mr. McClure received ..................................32
votes
Mr MEREDITH nominated Dr. John M. Kitchen, of Marion county, for one of the Trustees of the Deaf and Dumb Asylum.
Mr MILROY nominated Dr. John M. Richardson, of Carroll county.
Mr. Kitchen received.................................. 55 votes
Mr. Richardson received..............................32
votes
Mr. PRATHER nominated. Jas. C. Burt, of Jennings county for the other Trustee of said institution.
Mr. HARRISON nominated Dr. J. S. Skinner, of Knox county.
Mr Burt received........................................51 votes
Mr. Skinner received................... ................35
votes
Mr. NEWCOMB nominated Dr. E. W. H. Ellis, of Elkhart, for Director of the Bank of the State of Indiana.
Mr. COFFROTH nominated Amzi L. Wheeler, of Marshall county.
Mr. Ellis received.......................................55 votes.
Mr. Wheeler received.................................30
votes.
The SPEAKER declared the gentlemen receiving majorities of all the votes cast in the foregoing ballotings to be duly nominated, on the part of the House of Representatives, to the respective offices mentioned in connection with their names.
Mr. NEWCOMB moved that the House concur in the Senate's election of Charles E. Walker as Director of the Bank of the State, this day reported by message from that body.
The motion was adopted.
Mr. BROWN submitted the formal resolution (which was adopted) that the House is now ready to go into joint convention, as provided in the concurrent resolution of the House, adopted this day, for the election of Commissioners of the Sinking Fund; and that the Senate be invited to repair immediately to the Hall of the House of Representatives for that purpose.
JOINT CONVENTION.
Senators and the officers of that body having been formally received by the House of Representatives, and seated in the places assigned them-the Lieutenant Governor presiding-
The LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR. Gentlemen of the convention, we have met in joint convention for the purpose of electing three Commissioners of the Sinking Fund, in pursuance of the concurrent resolution this day adopted.
Mr. NEWCOMB nominated John S. C. Harrison, of Marion county, to succeed Mr. Kemp as Commissioner of the Sinking Fund.
Mr. BIRD nominated Charles G. Sturges, of Allen county.
Mr. Harrison received............... .................78 votes
Mr. Sturges received....................................55
votes
Mr. KILGORE nominated John W. Burson, of Delaware county, to succeed Mr. Parks as Commissioner of the Sinking Fund.
Mr. BUSKIRK nominated Parmenter M. Parks, of Marion county.
Mr. Burson received....................................77 votes
Mr. Parks received......................................53
votes
Mr. NEWCOMB nominated Wm. R. McKean, of Vigo county, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of S. P. Moodey.
Mr. BROWN nominated Henry G. Smith, of Jackson county.
Mr. McKean received...................................78 votes
Mr. Smith received......................................47
votes
The LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR declared those gentlemen above-named and receiving majorities of all the votes cast in the foregoing ballotings, to be duly elected to the respective offices mentioned in connection with their names, for the terms respectively prescribed by law.
And then the Convention was adjourned sine die.
Senators having retired to their Chamber.
Mr. NEWCOMB moved that when the House adjourned it shall be till 2 o'clock P. M. to-morrow.
The motion was agreed to, and it was so ordered.
And then (at 4:45) the House adjourned till to-morrow 2 o'clock P. M.
