IN SENATE.
MONDAY, February 6, 1865.The LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR resumed the Chair at 2 o'clock p. M. and directed the reading of the Secretary's journal of Friday's proceedings. The journal was read and approved.
PERSONAL.
Mr. RICHMOND rose to a question of privilege. During the absence of the Senator from Vanderburg [Mr. Finch,] his desk was moved by the Doorkeeper without consulting that Senator. The Senator is an old man; be is hard of hearing; he has been sent here by his constituents to represent their interests upon this floor, and he desires to occupy a position upon the floor of this Senate where he may hear and see and know what is being done. By the consent of Senators at the beginning of the session, his desk was placed adjoining the desk of the Senator from Boone [Mr. Cason,] but it is now placed in a remote corner, where he cannot see and cannot hear what is done. The rights of the Senator from Vanderburg have been violated, and he requested as a special favor to the Senator from Vanderburg, that the Senate shall order the desk of that Senator to be placed in the position it has occupied from the beginning of this session.
It was so ordered.
Mr. CASON disclaimed having anything to do with removing the desk of the Senator.
Mr. FINCH. I exonerate the Senator from Boone, [Mr. Cason.]--I exonerate him.
VALUATION AND ASSESSMENT.
Mr. RICHMOND, from the Committee on County and Township Business, returned the bill [S. 118,] to amend section 23 of the Valuation and Assessment act. approved July 21, 1852, so as to make its provisions more just and equitable; with a report recommending its passage. Subsequently,
On motion by Mr. WILLIAMS, the bill was read the second time and ordered to be engrossed for the third reading.
NEW PROPOSITIONS.
The following bills were introduced, read the first time, and passed to the second reading:
By Mr. VAN BUSKIRK, [S. 132.] to amend section 1 of an act to provide for a general system of common schools, &c., approved March 11, 1861, by striking therefrom these words: "Provided, however, that the taxes aforesaid shall not be levied and collected from negroes nor mulattos, nor shall their children be included in any enumeration required by this act, nor entitled to the benefits of said act."
By Mr. WILLIAMS, [S. 133,] fixing the time for holding courts in the Third Judicial Circuit.
By Mr. TERRY, [S. 134,] to amend sections 10 and 11 of an act tor the election and appointment of supervisors of highways, &c., approved March 5,1859; so as to increase the amount of labor on the public highways, by increasing the pay par diem [from 75 cents to $1 50.] and rendering exemption from such service more, difficult and expensive.
By Mr. DUNNING, (for the Lieutenant Governor,) [S. 135.] to amend section 71 of an act granting to the citizens of the town of Evansville, in the county of Vanderburg, a city charter, approved June 27, 1817, and add supplemental sections to the act.
By Mr. CASON, [S. 136,] to amend sections 8 and 11 of an act to provide for a more uniform mode of doing township business, approved February 18,1859.
By Mr. BROWN, of Wells, [S. 137,] prescribing the quality of illuminating gas, providing for the inspection thereof, declaring a forfeiture of bills therefor in certain cases, and declaring an emergency.
By Mr. CASON, [S. 138,] to amend section 30 of an act regulating the fees of officers and repealing former acts in relation thereto, approved March 2, 1855; making it incumbent page: 163[View Page 163] upon each county to furnish fuel, stationery and office room for their sheriffs as well as other officers; by inserting at the proper place in the above named section the words "and sheriff's."
AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.
The following message was received from His Excellency, the Governor, by the hand of his private secretary, B. R. Sulgrove, Esq.
To the General Assembly of the State of Indiana:
I have received from the Secretary of State of the United States a copy of a joint resolution of Congress, passed by a vote of two-thirds of each House, entitled, "A resolution submitting to the Legislatures of the several States a Imposition to amend the Constitution of the United States," which is in the following words:
"Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United Slates, in Congress assembled, (two-thirds of both Houses concurring,) That the following Article be proposed to the Legislatures of the several States as an amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which, when ratified by the Legislatures of three-fourths of said States, shall be valid to all intents and purposes, as a part of the said Constitution, namely:
"ARTICLE XIII."
SECTION 1. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime, whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject so their jurisdiction.
"SEC. 2. Congress shall have power to enforce this Article by appropriate legislation, approved February 1,1863."
Indiana as a post of the North-Western Territory, was preserved from the curse of slavery by the Ordinance of 1787. That ordinance laid the foundation of the State in freedom, from which it has surely and rapidly grown.
The population, wealth and prosperity of the State as well as of the other States of the North-West, fully attest the beneficence of free institutions, and our hearts should swell with gratitude for the wisdom and patriotism of our forefathers for bequeathing to us the legacy of liberty.
In the process of time and by the dispensation of Providence, it has become the privilege of the people of Indiana, acting through the forms of the Constitution, and in harmony with a large majority of the people of the United States, to extend the rich blessings they have enjoyed, to the States and Territories that have been less fortunate.
The slavery question is presented in a form hitherto unknown in our politics.
It is not a question as to the right of Congress to exclude slavery from the Territories, nor of the people of the Territories, to legislate upon the subject themselves, nor does it involve the discussion of any doubtful powers, but is the simple proposition to amend the Constitution of the United States in the manner prescribed by itself, so as to strike down the monster wrong which has embroiled the nation for more than half a century, and culminated in a rebellion without parallel in history for its wickedness and waste of blood and treasure. The existence of slavery has ever cast a dark shadow over the whole land. When we have coasted to the Old World of a Government established upon the doctrine of inherent equal rights, the despotisms and aristocracies contemptuously replied, that under it human flesh was bought and sold as merchandise. To this we had nothing to answer. It not only has dishonored us abroad but it has poisoned our domestic peace, setting neighbor against neighbor and State against State, until by its last great act of wickedness it has committed a crime for which there is no forgiveness, and for which it must die.
In the great opportunity now presented we discern the hand of Providence, which often accomplishes its purposes through the wickedness and folly of mankind.
Slavery, always criminal and insolent from its smallest beginning, bloated with impunity, and success, will perish during the war it created to enlarge its power and perpetuate its existence.
Let us hasten to acquiesce in this great result by ratifying the action of Congress, and thus become a party to the righteous deed, in accordance with the unquestionable wishes of the people.
O. P. MORTON, Governor of Indiana.
ADDITIONS TO COMMITTEES.
The LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR asked and obtained leave to add Mr. Brown, of Wells, to the special committee on Railroad Appraisement.
Mr. DUNNING moved to add Messrs. Cullen and Richmond to the committee on State's Prisons.
Mr. BROWN, of Wells, moved to amend by adding Messrs, Culver and Cobb.
Mr. DUNNING accepted the amendment.
Mr. HANNA, on looking over the Senate, was inclined to think there would not be a quorum while the committee was absent, should these Senators be added. These trips were generally sight-seeing excursions, and while he was willing to lend his vote to gratify any Senator who desires to go, he could not lend his vote to dissolve the Senate at this stage of proceedings.
Mr. THOMPSON was glad the Senator from Vigo [Mr. Hanna] had made the remarks he did. The Senate must take some means to insure the attendance of Senators. We have not been full ( for nearly a week, and we must stop going home if we will do business. He supposed it would be doubtful if to-morrow we have a constitutional quorum here, judging from what ha saw this afternoon. He thought four or three members would be as well on this committee as twenty or twelve.
Mr. HANNA, having been on a similar committee once, was frank enough to say that they passed through Michigan City without stopping, and went to Chicago.
Mr. RICHMOND was not surprised that the Senator from Marion [Mr. Thompson] opposed this motion, and had no doubt that the Senator from Marion desired the institution at Jeffersonville should be well taken care of. As far as Mr. R. was personally concerned he had no special desire to go on this trip, but the people north of the National road, and especially in his part of the State, desired to know something about this institution. He would like to go for the sake of his constituents and see how the thing was managed.
page: 164[View Page 164]Mr. BENNETT'S experience in going with a committee to visit the Southern Prison was "that, instead of stopping at Jeffersonville, they went over to Louisville, and stopped at the Galt House, and he never learned that there was any report made from that committee. He believed that as you increase the committee in number you increase its inefficiency.
Mr. RICHMOND. The fact that the Senator from Vigo [Mr. Hanna] and the Senator from Union [Mr. Bennett,] went to Chicago and Louisville on a spree should not be used as an argument here. Because they did not do their, duty is no reason why some other gentlemen will not do theirs.
The yeas and nays were demanded on the motion to increase the number of the Committee on the State's Prison, and being ordered and taken resulted--yeas 15, nays 15.
The LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, No quorum voting. The Constitution says I shall vote whenever there is a tie, so I will vote "no," whether it has any effect or not. [Laughter.]
Mr. HANNA moved that the Senate adjourn.
The motion was rejected.
Mr. OYLER demanded a call of the Senate.
It was ordered and being taken the Secretary reported twenty absentees.
On motion, by Mr. BROWN, of Wells, further proceedings under the call were dispensed with.
Mr. BROWN, of Wells, moved that the Senate adjourn.
The motion was rejected upon a division--affirmative 14, negative 15.
Mr. VAN BUSKIRK moved that the Senate adjourn.
Whereupon--
The LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR declared the Senate adjourned.
