MISDEMEANORS.
Mr. BURKES submitted the following, which was adopted:
Resolved, That the Committee on the Organization of Courts of Justice are hereby instructed to inquire into the expediency of reporting a bill making it a misdemeanor for any person, or persons, to molest or disturb any hired laborer, or laborers, in the employ of any citizen, or citizens, of the State of Indiana, when engaged at or on, his or her way to or from, the place of his her, or their labor, or when at the residence, or on the farm, of their employers.
Mr. SHOAFF, of Jay, introduced a bill [H. R. 275] for An act to amend section 2 of the Act to amend sections 14 and 18 of the Act fixing the times of Common Pleas Courts, &c., approved May 11.1861. [It affects the counties of Blackford, Delaware, Randolph and Jay.]
Mr. GREGORY, of Warren, introduced a Joint Resolution [H. R. No. 20] instructing our Senators and requesting our Representatives in Congress to use their influence to secure the passage of a law by which the soldiers and officers of the war for the suppression of the rebellion, shall be placed on an equal footing as to pay and bounty, according to the length of time which they have served.
It was passed to the second reading.
Mr. LASSELLE introduced a bill [H. R. 276] for An Act authorizing County Auditors to issue fee bills for the collection of costs accrued before Boards of County Commissioners.
It was referred to the Committee on Fees and Salaries.
The SPEAKER announced the order of the consideration of bills of the House on the second reading.
Mr. Henricks' insurance bill, No. 233, was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
Mr. Humphreys' real estate sale notice bill [H. R. No. 87,] coming up with a favorable report from the committee, it was ordered to be engrossed.
Mr. Rhoads' School Commissioner bill [H. R. 235,] coming up with a favorable recommendation from the Committee on Education
Mr. GREGORY, of Warren, explained that the object of the bill was to dig out moneys lost in the various county treasuries. It was recommended by the Superintendent of Public Instruction, who had already ferretted out some $27,000 of the school fund sequestered; in the treasuries of only two or three counties.
Mr. HAMRICK advised delay about authorizing this Commissioner at a salary of $3,500 more than the Superintendent of Instruction receives.
Mr. RHOADS made the statement submitted by Mr. Gregory as to the amoant of school money which had been discovered by the Superintendent of Public Instruction as unaccounted for in Wayne county. The Superintendent could not continue to do this work and he showed the necessity of this Commissioner.
Mr. NEWCOMB thought it best to pay the expenses of this Commissioner separate from the salary. He spoke of the loose manner in which these school funds are managed, and recommended a change of custodians, and deposit where it would be secure from loss. We have a law now that the counties shall he responsible for the fund. The bill would not cure the evil.
Mr. BURWELL also objected to the creation of this new office. The Superintendent should perform its duties.
Mr. GREGORY, of Warren. It would require more than one day to each county seat. This bill was to make a final settlement of these sequestered funds. It would add seventy or eighty thousand dollars to the school fund.
Mr. McVEY. Former Superintendents had labored in this direction as well as the present Superintendent, and the work was partly done.
Mr. WOODS. The school system was getting to be too expensive in its machinery.
Mr. NEWCOMB proposed to amend, by striking out of section three "3,500," and inserting in lieu this: "$2,000 and his natural and necessary traveling expenses;" and inserting further: "from the fund raised by taxation for school purposes."
Mr. BURWELL moved indefinite postponement of the bill and pending amendments.
Mr. RHOADS advised delay.
Mr. MILLER thought the bill would not benefit the children. There was the expense of hunting up this money. It would be better at once to assess the needful tax directly. The bill was simply making an officer to see whether the County Auditors have done their duty.
Mr. FERRIS made a statement to show that the Commissioner could not go into the 93 counties and investigate this fund in one year. But he saw no necessity for the bill, and demanded the previous question.
The previous question was seconded, and the main question, and the yeas and nays were ordered.
Mr. HAMRICK made an ineffectual motion to lay the subject on the table affirmative 26, negative 57.
Mr. Burwell's motion to postpone was then agreed to by yeas 72, nays 11.
Mr. McVey's legalizing-appraisements bill [H. R. 212] coming up with a favorable recommendation from the Committee, it was passed to the second reading.
Mr. NEWCOMB explained, that appraisements shall not be invalid, because of the failure of appraisers to give notice, etc., and on his motion, the constitutional restriction was suspended - yeas 68, nays 9 - and it was passed the final reading in the House - yeas 73, nays 0.
The House then took a recess till 2 o'clock P. M.
