AFTERNOON SESSION.
NEW PROPOSITIONS.
Bills for acts of the General Assembly, numbered and titled to the following effect, were introduced and read the first time:
By Mr. CULLEN, [S. 197] supplemental to an act regulating descents, &c., approved May 14, 1852. It was referred to the Judiciary Committee.
By Mr. CULLEN, [S. 198] to amend sections 25 and 88 of an act dividing the State into counties &c. , approved June 7, i852. [It affects the boundary lines of Fountain and Warren counties.] It was referred to a special committee, to consist of the Senators interested.
By Mr. JACQUESS, [S. 199] to amend an act declaring the law regulating marriages, &c. [Authorizing Notaries Public to solemnize marriages ] It was referred to the Committee on Rights and Privileges.
STATE LIBRARIAN - TERM OF OFFICE.
Mr. OYLER, from the Committee on the State Library, returned the bill [S. 5] with an amendment adding to the title these words: "and a supplemental section fixing the term of the State Librarian and the time when the same shall commence."
On his motion the bill was again passed the Senate by yeas 34, nays 0.
OFFICES FOR STATE OFFICER
Mr. HOUGHTON, from the Committee on Public Buildings, reported in favor of renting the Gallup building, on the corner of Tennessee and Market streets, for the term of two years at $4,000 per annum; and recommending the passage of a resolution directing the Auditor of State to take he lease on those terms. It was concurred in.
THE LIQURR TRAFFIC.
On motion by Mr. WOLCOTT his Temperance bill [S. 46] described on pages 52, 53, 96, 97 and 98 of the BREVIER REPORTS, was read the third time.
The bill failed to pass for waht of a constitutional majority - yeas 21, nays 16.
Pending the roll call
Mr. BROWN said: My constituents have petitioned for a prohibitory liquor law, and in view of that fact I do not like to take the responsibility of voting for any license law. Therefore I vote "no."
Mr. JOHNSON, in explanation of his vote was understood to say: I am led to relieve that my people are in favor of such a law, although I myself would dislike to see it pass. I therefore vote "no."
Mr. OYLER, when his name was called, said: Some of my people want a prohibitory law and some want a license law. I think this bill a good compromise, and so I vote "aye."
Mr. REAGAN, when his name was called, said: My people decidedly favor a prohibitory law, such have been my instructions, and I shall vote at all times for the passage of a prohibitory law. This law will not entirely meet their expectations, nor would I give it my support had I any idea we would be able to pass a prohibitery law, Under the circumstances I believe it to be an improvement on the old law, and consequently I shall vote "aye."
The vote was then announced as above.
OFFICES FOR STATE OFFICERS.
Mr. OYLER submitted a concurrent resolution carrying out the recommendation of the Committee on Public Buildings with reference to the renting of the Gallup property.
Mr. HANNA objected to the resolution being considered out of order. He referred page: 243[View Page 243] to a lease yet to run two years on the building now occupied by the State offices: and stated that the objections to retaining that property could be obviated: and that the entire building can be obtained for $2,500a year.
Mr. OYLER was satisfied the lease was made without authority. He moved to suspend the rules in order that the resolution may be considered.
The motion was agreed to, upon a division.
Mr. HANNA moved to refer the resolution to the Judiciary Committee, with the position of Mr. McOuatt, to lease his entire building for $2,500 a year,and with instructions to inquire into the validity of lease under which the building is now occupied.
On motion of Mr. CULLEN, the motion to refer was laid on the table by yeas 22. nays 12.
Mr. OYLER; Mr. CULLEN and Mr. THOMPSON favored the passage of the resolution.
The resolution was adopted.
Senate bills numbered 103 and 142 were returned from committees with favorable recommendations; and the bill S. 55 with a recommendation that it be indefinitely postponed. The report was concurred in.
On motion by Mr. CULLEN, the Senate proceeded to the consideration of bills on their final reading.
Mr. Thompson's bill [S. 14] to encourage immigration to the State, being read the third time -
Mr. ARMSTRONG moved to fill the blank with "$5,000" for the annual appropriation.
Mr. HOUGHTON considered this a bread-and-butter bill and objected; but immediately withdrew his objection - contenting himself with voting against the bill.
Mr. HANNA objecting -
Mr. MILLIGAN moved to fill the blank with $1,000.
Mr. NTLES preferred it should be left to private enterprise, and that no appropriation be made: but would not make any objection that would delay a vote on the bill.
Mr. CARSON objected - suggesting that the bill be referred to a committeebut would consent to filling the blank with $500.
It was so ordered by consent.
The bill failed to pass for want of a Constitutional majority - yeas 22, nays 13.
HOUSE OF REFUGE FOR JUVENILES.
The committees bill [S. 161] establishing a House of Refuge for juvenile offenders, described on page 184 of these Reports, being read the third time -
Mr. TAGGART was sorry to stand almost alone in opposition to this measure. While he favored sustaining all benevolent institutions, on all occasions, he thought there was a stopping place somewhere. If it be a fact that the tax required for the ensuing year will be equal to the value of the agricultural products of the State, he thought we ought to consider whether there was not a place and a time where the extravagant expenditure of public moneys should be stopped. He spoke at length in opposition to the bill.
Mr. CUMBACK. As I have the honor to be a member of the committee who prepared and reported this bill, I ask the indulgence of the Senate to say a few words in favor of the general objects sought to be attained by it. I leave to others to speak as to the details of the measure. It seems to me that unless we pass this bill, we shall have done nothing more than many a preceding General Assembly has done.
Let us show, by our broad and liberal views, that we have caught the spirit of progress, and are prepared to look beyond the mere temporal wants of the people - that so far as we can, as legislators and Christians, we will encourage virtue and suppress vice and wrong - that we will interpose the strong arm of the State to arrest the torrent of crime that is sweeping so many of the young into the prisons and jails of the country. That something, has not been done long ago, is a matter of both regret and astonishment.
A conscientious regard for a faithful discharge of our duty, and the imperative necessity for prompt and effective action, absolutely forbid that we should longer postpone the adoption of this most benificent measure.
The streets of our cities and towns are filled with boys uncared for by any one, who are pests and outcasts in society, and who are living and moving exponents of pauperism, idleness and crime.
Withdrawn as they are from all wholesome moral influences, they each day make the chances more certain that their manhood will be infamous, that their whole life will be a curse and not a blessing to the world.
Can they be reclaimed? Is it in our power to remove them from the vicious influences that now surround them, and instil into their young hearts a comprehension of their duty to God and man, and implant in them a desire for a higher, a purer and a better life?
God has stamped his own glorious image upon every one of these living souls. May we not burnish and make bright this seal of Divinity that vicious habits and evil communications have so deeply corroded and almost obliterated?
page: 244[View Page 244]Left as they are, with no moral influences thrown around them - shut out and excluded from the society of the good arid the virtuous, and hourly exposed to the corruptions of the grog shops, the gambling hells and other dens of iniquity, there is positively no hope for them. They are lost, irrecoverably lost, unless by some such measure as this we save them.
Our criminal laws do not meet the evil, but rather aggravate than cure it.
These juvenile offenders are arrested and thrown in prison with hardened criminals and abandoned wretches, and when they come forth they are hardened in their purpose to lead a life of crime - they are graduates in iniquity and adepts in sin, and commence anew their life of lawlessness, It is scarcely possible to find a single case of reformation in young criminals by this sort of means. This having failed, let us try this mode of dealing with them. Let us substitute the laws of kindness and love, instead of the harsh penalty of the law. Let us make them feel that we have an interest in them, and for them, and that they may not say like one of old, "No one careth for my soul."
The Institution contemplated in this bill is not an experiment new and untried. Other States have long since waked up to the importance of the subject, and have by their wise and benificent legislation adopted the remedy here proposed, and with the most happy and satisfactory results. We have their example before us and the light, of their experience to guide us.
It is a fact that can not be denied that kindness has reclaimed the most hardened criminal of mature years. These cases, I grant, are few, but they do sometimes occur. But if we will surround these boys before their minds are matured with a pure, moral atmosphere, brace up their prostrate self respect, and make them feel that they, too, may stand in the front rank among men, the very best results will follow; and if we do not succeed in reclaiming all, we will be the instruments of saving many From a careful investigation of the reports from the institutions of this kind from other States, I find they hear united testimony to the fact that the great majority who have the benefit of these institutions are entirely reformed. Many who go to these institutions are taken from thence into the hands of Christian families and reared up under its wholesome influences, and go forth in the battle of life on the side of virtue and truth. These are most glorious results, and fill the Christian heart with the hope that the promised day is not distant, when the knowledge of the Lord shall cover the earth as the waters cover the great deep.
But, sir, there is still another view of this subject, We live in a country where the people are the source of all power, people are corrupt and depraved our rulers will be of the same character. Our executive will not be any more a terror to doers and a praise to them that do well. Our judiciary will not be pure and upright but will render unrighteous and unjustd cress, and our Legislature will be a den of iniquity and corruption, and our statutes a disgrace to a Christian and enlightened age.
To accomplish the purity of the people for all time to come, the good and self sacrificing of every generation must take hold and promote with earnest hearts every enterprise that will turn the feet of the young in the path of virtue. And while no sectarian dogmas should be taught in our common schools, yet every teacher in these should have his head and heart full of the elevating truths of the Gospel, and impart each day to those entrusted to his or her instruction, the great principles found in the teachings of Him who spake as never man spake.
But neither the common school or the Sunday School or any other means that is now provided will reach this class of persons whom the able Senator from Laporte yesterday with so much truth said are the wards of the State. This is the only we can save this vicious class. We should be profoundly grateful that there is any way to make good honest men and intelligent citizens out of this material.
Let us then not hesitate a moment to pass this bill, but rather let us rejoice that it is our glorious privilege to be the instruments of inaugurating in Indiana an enterprise that has been so beneficent in its results in our sister States.
The bill finally passed by yeas 29, nays 9.
Pending the roll call -
Mr. SHERROD said: There is a great deal of virtue in this bill, but I can not vote for it from the simple fact that it is increasing the burdens of the people at a time when we should economize on every occasion.
Mr. TURNER said: I labor under difficulties with regard to the vote called upon to cast, and what I say now for the benefit of my people. My convictions are all in favor of this bill. I have read it and like its provisions, but during the late canvass my opponent and myself were both pledged before the people of my district, that we would vote for no increase of their burdens. I would be very sorry if my vote should defeat the bill, but I feel obliged to vote "no."
The vote was then announced as above.
page: 245[View Page 245]PLANK AND TURNPIKE ROADS.
Mr. Richmond's plank, gravel and McAdamized road bill [S. 54]described on page 68 - was read the third time and failed to pass for want of the constitutional majority of 26 votes - yeas 21, nays 17.
Leaves of absence were granted Mr. Carson till Monday evening at 6 o'clock, and Mr. Lee, Mr. Armstrong and Mr. Noyes till Tuesday.
Mr. ARMSTRONG offered the following:
Resolved, That when the Senate adjourns, it adjourn till Monday, at 2 o'clock p. M.
On motion of Mr. BELLAMY, it was laid on the table by yeas 29, nays 12.
Mr. BONHAM offered the following:
Resolved, That when the Senate adjourns it be till Monday, 2 1/2 o'clock'P. M.
Mr. B. said: It is known to all Senators that our Committees have not been in session during the week, except occasionally at night. There is no business we can do to-morrow at all; we have worked hard this week, and I think it nothing more than right that we take a rest to-morrow.
The resolution was adopted by yeas 21, nays 17.
And theu the Senate adjourned.
