HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
MONDAY, January 14, 1867.The House met at two o'clock P. M., pursuant to adjournment.
The SPEAKER directed the reading of the journals of Thursday and Friday.
The journals of Thursday and Friday.,
The journals having been read and authenticated-
A message from the Senate announced the passage of a concurrent resolution for a Joint Committee of five Senators and five Representatives on the House of Refuge for juvenile offenders, to whom shall be referred all papers on that subject.
The SPEAKER laid before the House a communication from T. C. Philips, special agent for the United States Post Office Department, as to the best mode of the members communicating through the Post Office.
On the motion of Mr. SHUEY, it was referred to the Committee on Employes of the House.
PAPERS, BOOKS, STATIONERY, ETC., FOR THE HOUSE.
Mr. SHUEY, from the Special Committee on Stationery, &c., reported a resolution to wit:
Resolved, That the Doorkeeper contract for and deliver to each member and elective officer of the House, three copies of the Daily Journal, the Daily Herald and the Daily Gazette, two copies of each wrapped and stamped and one copy of each open ; also two copies each of the two weekly German newspapers published in Indianapolis, both wrapped and stamped; also one copy of Gavin & Hord's Statutes, provided they can be procured at wholesale price ; also one copy of Cushing's Manual, one copy (large edition) for the Speaker, &c.; and that each member be authorized to draw on the Librarian for fifty dollars' worth of stationery and stamps, and that each elective officer be authorized to draw such amount of stationery as may be necessary for his use during the session; and that the Librarian report the amount so drawn to the House at least three days before the close of the session.
Mr. WRIGHT proposed to amend the resolution by striking out "$50," and inserting "$20" in lieu.,
Mr. SHUEY. The first impulse of his mind before the committee was to suggest $40; but the amount reported was agreed on. He wanted no more than what might be proper; but he knew that his own expenses for mail matter alone had been more than $20. He was by no means disposed to make cheap popularity on this point, especially as it affects himself. But we in the north end of the State were so situated that we get but very few papers from the south end of the State. Papers published here do not circulate in the north part of the State. Yet, during the session of the Legislature, every man, of course, wants these papers. If $50 should be thought too much, he would be willing to come down to a reasonable amount. Whilst to his mind $50 was none too much, if it should be. thought best he would be willing to make it $30 or $40.
Mr. WRIGHT, in his little experience had found $20 more than he could use in this way.
Mr. KIZER thought $50 rather extravagant. He considered that most taxpayers, like his constituents, were willing to wait a few days for legislative matter; and he often found opportunity to send home by private conveyance.
Mr. McFADDEN felt rather liberal in this matter. Gentlemen have constituents desiring to hear from them. His constituents were composed of both political parties, and he wished to send documents for both sides. He did not represent a part, but all of the people of Cass county. Our tables groan with documents already, which ought to be sent, out; and, while $50 might be too much, $20 would be too little. A medium might be found now; and if it should not prove to be enough, at the end of the session he would be willing to vote more.
After further discussion the amendment was rejected - yeas 42, nays 50 - as follows:
YEAS - Messrs. Baker, Bird, Black, Bobo, Carter, Corey, Crain, Crowe, Douglass, Edmonson, Erwin, Fuller, Gordon, Greene, Honneus, Hostetter, Hughes, Hungate, Inman, Kiser, Lopp, Martin, McFadden, Miller, Newcomb, Sabin, Shields, Shook, Shull, Skidmore, Spencer, Stackhouse, Stewart, Tebbs, Van Valkenburgh, Vawter, Wason, Watson, White, Wolfe, Wolfer, Wright and Mr. Speaker - 42.
NAYS - Messrs. Barrett, Belford, Bischof, Blanch, Brucker, Campbell, Chambers, Daggy, Donaldson. Dunn, Evans, Ferris, Foulke, Funk, Geisendorff, Griggs, Hartman, Hamilton, Hays, Higgins, Hopkins, Hudson, Litson, Long of Kosciusko, Mason, Matthis, McCarthy McClasky, McLean, McMurray, Moore, Morrison, Montgomery, O'Neil, North, Peelle, Prather, Ratliff, Ross, Scammahorn, Shoaff, Shuey. Smith of Lagrange, Stafford,Thatcher, Thrasher,Thomas, Williams, Wilson, Wolflin and Woods - 50.
page: 34[View Page 34]Mr. NEWCOMB proposed to strike out "$50" and insert "$30" in lieu.
Mr. MILLER suggested "$25."
Mr. NEWCOMB accepted.,
Mr. MONTGOMERY proposed to amend the amendment by making it "$40.",
It was agreed to-affirmative 58, negative not counted.
Mr. NEWCOMB did not want to interfere with those desiring to possess a copy of Gavin & Hord, but it seemed almost useless to him. The number required there would cost about $1,030. He would reduce the number to one copy for each of the committees, and four or five copies at the Clerk's desk. He moved to strike out that part of the resolution and insert "Twenty copies shall be procured by the Librarian and distributed to the Chairmen of committees and at the Clerk's desk, as occasion may require," which shall be returned to the Librarian at the end of the session.
Mr. BELFORD. Did not the gentleman from Marion (Mr. Newcomb) receive a copy of the statutes at the last session?
Mr. NEWCOMB (sitting.) I had a copy before I came here.
Mr. BELFORD. Every member needed a copy. He himself had already been looking round in vain to procure one. The gentleman from Marion was estopped from objection if he had already received a copy.
Mr. McFADDEN would have one copy for each member without restricting the purchase to "wholesale price."
Mr. BIRD. The statutes were essentially necessary to new members, and inquiries had been made for them all round him. They were more essential than stamps.
Mr. KIZER recommended to those disposed to furnish a library, to strike out "statutes" and insert "the Bible," as cheaper and better reading.
Mr. NEWCOMB submitted his amendment in writing, and dismissed the subject with saying to the gentleman from Laporte (Mr. Belford,) that if that gentleman was determined to show that new members should do as much stealing as the old ones, he would not controvert the position. But old members would bear him witness, that heretofore in less than three weeks after they received the statutes hardly a copy could be found in the House.
Mr. SHUEY had found it convenient to take the statutes to his rooms for use in drafting bills; and if he had now a copy he would take it with him as he should go to supper.
On the motion of Mr. BELFORD, Mr. Newcomb's amendment was laid on the table.
Mr. McFADDEN proposed to amend this clause by submitting: "One copy of Gavin & Hord for each member, and that said copies be procured at the lowest price possible.",
The SPEAKER. The Chair does not see low that amends the report.
Mr. McFADDEN. It strikes out "whole-sale price."
It was agreed to.
Mr. KISER insisted on the return of the Statutes at the close of the session.
The SPEAKER now directed the Clerk to read the first clause of the resolution, relative to newspapers.
Mr. HARTMAN. There was a daily German paper published in the city, not included in the list. He moved to include the Daily Telegraph (German), striking out the Weekly Telegraph.
[A message from the Senate now announced a concurrent resolution of that body for a joint committee of three Senators and three Representatives, on the matter of the appointment of John A. Wilstach Commissioner of Emigration, and expenses incident thereupon.]
Mr. WOODS. Will that give us but one copy ?
VOICES. "Two."
The amendment was agreed to.
The question recurring on the adoption of the first paragraph as amended -
Mr. NEWCOMB moved to reconsider the amendment of Mr. McFadden, by which the words "wholesale price" were stricken out.
Mr. McFADDEN. We want the statute at any rate. He supposed they could be got at wholesale price, but we want them whether at wholesale or not.
The motion was rejected - affirmative 30, negative 40.
The second paragraph was then agreed to.
The third paragraph of the resolution being read, to-wit: "The Chairmen of the Committees on Ways and Means, on the Judiciary, and on Claims, shall be entitled to draw $20 each in stationery, for the Committees respectively, and each Chairman of the other Committees $10 for the use of his Committee."
Mr. PRATHER. There was no provision in the report for stationery for the Special Committees.
The SPEAKER. They can easily get it by resolution.
The third paragraph was agreed to.
The question recurring on the adoption of the fourth paragraph as amended - $40 to each member for stationery and stamps.-
Mr. NEWCOMB moved to strike out "$40" and insert "$30."
Mr. McFADDEN and Mr. SHUEY showed that the amendment was out of order - it, having already been voted down, &c.
[A message was now received from the page: 35[View Page 35] Senate, announcing a joint resolution for a special joint committee of four Senators and five representatives on the subject of the National Debt and the National Currency to report opinion in relation to the National policy respecting these matters.]
After further debate on the question of order, and the merits of the proposition, in which Messrs. Wright, Belford, Newcomb, Prather, Crain, Higgins and Chambers participated -
On the motion of Mr. PEELLE, Mr. Newcomb's resolution was laid on the table.
Mr. HUGHES proposed further to amend by striking out all relating to the allowance of stationery and stamps, and inserting this:
Each member shall draw stationery and stamps not exceeding - dollars in value during the session ; provided that where the amount is not drawn in stationery there shall be no consideration in money.
Mr. STEWART. There is no provision for stamps.
The SPEAKER. The Chair would suggest that the words "and stamps" may be inserted.
Mr. HUGHES acquiesced.
Mr. SHUEY moved to fill the blank with $40.
It was agreed to.
Mr. McFADDEN purposed to amend thus, by way of substitute:
That each member shall take his allowance of stationery and stamps either in money or stationery as he may select, not to exceed the allowance to each member.
On motion of Mr. LITSON, Mr. McFadden's amendment was laid on the table.
Mr. HUGHES' amendment, as amended, was then adopted.
The last clause of the resolution - that relative to stationery for employees, &c. - was agreed to.
And then the resolution reported by the Committee, as amended, was adopted.
BILLS.
Mr. CRAIN introduced a bill [H. R. No. 13] for an act to erect the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit of the State of Indiana [Parke, Vermillion, Sullivan and Vigo.]It was read and referred to the Committee on the Organization of Courts.
Mr. PRATHER introduced a bill [H. R. 14] for an act appointing a commission to adjust the claims of citizens of the State of Indiana for damages sustained by them from rebel forces under the command of the rebel General John Morgan in 1863, and other rebel forces in 1864; providing for payment of the claims adjusted by said commission; and matters properly connected therewith. [Three commissioners $6 a day - a clerk and attorney.]
Which was read and referred to the Committee on Claims.
Mr. McLEAN introduced a bill [H. R. 15] for an act to carry out the provisions of the act entitled An act to create a State Normal School, and declaring an emergency, approved December 20, 1865, &c. [It proposes to appropriate $100,000.]
It was referred to the Committee on Education.
Mr. THACHER introduced a bill [H. R. 16] for an act to authorize Prosecuting Attorneys and District Prosecutors to administer oaths and affirmations and to take and certify affidavits.
It was read and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Mr. FERRIS introduced a bill [H. R. 17] for an act in relation to conveyances of lands by wives of persons of unsound mind. [It proposes to legalize such conveyances.]
It was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Mr. HIGGINS introduced a bill [H. R. 18] for an act to amend section 15, and repeal sections 29 and 30 of the act regulating general elections, and prescribing the duties of officers in relation thereto. Approved June 7, 1852, &c.
He said it was the same bill he had introduced twice before, and it had received two favorable reports. He would therefore prefer it should go to the second reading without commitment.
It was so ordered.
Mr. WOODS introduced a bill [H. R. 19] for an act to regulate and make uniform the price charged by railroad companies for transporting merchandise over railroads in this State. [The charge shall be in the proportion of the number of miles carried to the charge for through freights, &c.]
It was referred to a special committee.
Mr. SHOAFF introduced a bill [H. R. 20]for an act to provide by law for draining and ditching low, wet and overflowed lands in the State of Indiana.
It was referred to the Committee on Swamp Lands.
Mr. CHAMBERS introduced a bill [H. R. 21] for an act to amend section 16 of the act regulating the fees of officers, arid repealing former acts in relation thereto, approved March 2, 1855. [It proposes to increase the fees of jurors to $2 25 per day, mileage 5 cents per mile, jurors before a Justice of the Peace $1 per day.]
It was referred to the Committee on Fees and Salaries.
Mr. BOBO introduced a bill [H. R. 22] for an act districting the State of Indiana for Senatorial and Representative purposes.
It was referred to the special committee on that subject.
Mr. MORRISON introduced a bill [H. R. 23] for an act to enable the owners, of wet lands to drain them, when the same can page: 36[View Page 36] be done without affecting the lands of others, &c.
It was referred to the Committee on Swamp Lands.
Mr. HAMILTON introduced a bill [H. R. 24] for an act to amend the 9th section of the act providing for the election of clerks of the Circuit Court, approved June 7, 1852, requiring clerks to deliver over all papers in their hands to their successors. [The amendment inserts the words "and moneys."]
It was referred to the Committee on the organization of Courts.
Mr. MILLER introduced a bill [H. R. 25] for an act for the registration of voters. (Title not reported.) [The proposition seems to necessitate but one election in the year, instead of two; and Mr. M. gives notice that on to-morrow, &c., he will introduce a bill to that effect ]
It was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
RAILROADS - LOCAL FREIGHT.
Mr. SPENCER submitted a resolution, that the Committee on Railroads be instructed to inquire into the power of the Legislature to control the railroad corporations of the State by direct legislation on the subject of passengers and freight, to secure the citizen from inordinate demands, and to assert the sovereignty of the State over its commercial interests; and that such committee have power to compel the attendance of witnesses, to examine them by oath or affirmation, and to report by bill or otherwise.
Mr. HUGHES proposed to amend by way of a substitute, to the following effect:
That a select committee of three be appointed to consist of Mr. Belford, the Speaker, and Mr. Miller, whose duty it shall be to inquire into the number of railroad corporations in the State organized under special charters, and the time when their powers expire, and to report a bill regulating local freight so far as the same can be done.
His reason in favor of the substitute was this: that we may have an inquiry upon the subject matter. He thought it would be well to avail ourselves of the long experience of the Speaker of the House in railroad matters, and therefore he had named the committee in the resolution. He had not put upon the Speaker the duties of chairman, because he had so much else to look after.
Mr. SPENCER accepted the substitute.
So the resolution was adopted.
GOVERNOR'S MESSAGE.
Mr. NEWCOMB submitted a resolution to print eight thousand copies of the Governor's Message, two thousand in the German language - one thousand copies for the use of the Governor, and the residue for the use of the members of the House.
Mr. THACHER proposed five thousand copies.
Mr. NEWCOMB was not tenacious about the number, but especially anxious for the order for German copies.
Mr. Thacher's amendment was rejected.
Mr. SHUEY moved ineffectually for ten thousand copies.
The original resolution was agreed to.
Subsequently -
Mr. NEWCOMB moved to reconsider the vote on his resolution, for the purpose of offering a concurrent resolution in the in the matter, as required by the Constitution.
The reconsideration was agreed to.
Mr. NEWCOMB then proposed, in the form of a concurrent resolution, that there be printed in pamphlet form 10,000 copies of the Governor's message, with 3,000 in the German language; 1,500 copies to be delivered to the Governor for his own use: one third of the remainder to the doorkeeper of the Senate for the use of members of that body, and the residue to the doorkeeper of the House for the use of members of the House of Representatives.
It was adopted.
STATE NORMAL SCHOOL.
Mr. BISCHOF laid before the House the first report of the Board of Trustees of the Indiana State Normal School, in pursuance of the 13th section of the act to create a State Normal School.
It was referred to the Committee on Education.
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.
Mr. HIGGINS laid before the House an official copy of the amendment to the Constitution of the United States, and moved its reference to the Select Committee there on.
It was so ordered.
JUVENILE OFFENDERS.
On the motion of Mr. SHUEY, the Senate message with reference to a Joint Committee on the subject of juvenile offenders was taken up and concurred in.
IMMIGRATION.
On the motion of Mr. MILLER, the Senate message for a Joint Committee on the subject of Immigration and the appointment of John A. Wilstach as Commissioner and the expenses incident thereto, was taken up and concurred in.
INKSTANDS.
Mr. PRATHER submitted a resolution that the Librarian be directed to furnish and place on the desk of each member of the House, one half globe glass inkstand.
page: 37[View Page 37]Mr. McFADDEN moved to add one bottle of ink and one bottle of mucilage.
Mr. PRATHER was fearful that they would upset and glue the whole House together. [Laughter.]
It was rejected.
The original resolution was adopted on a division - affirmative 54, negative not counted.
Mr. VAN VALKENBERG submitted a resolution, but before it was read
The House, at 20 minutes before 5 o'clock, adjourned till to-morrow morning at 9 o'clock.
