THE SOUTHERN PRISON.
Mr. REYNOLDS, from the Committee on State Prisons, submitted a report on the condition of the Southern Prison, suggesting some changes as to the bedding; and that the salary of chaplain should be increased to $1,000; and stating that the prison is now nearer being self-supporting than for years past. It was laid on the table.
Mr. WOLCOTT introduced a bill [S. 241] for an act to authorize the Directors of the State Prison at Jeffersonville to contract the convict labor of said prison [to Abel W. Hall, for ten years,] and prescribing the terms and conditions of the contract. It was referred to the Committee on State Prisons.
Mr LEE had just returned from that portion of the country asking for the passage of the bill, S. 220, and he saw the condition the roads are in. The people there are amply able to pay their taxes as soon as they can get their produce to market, and by extending the time for a few days, till the roads get into good condition, there will be no difficulty about collecting the State revenue. He moved that the constitutional restriction be removed, and that the bill be put on its passage now.
A constitutional dispensation was had by yeas 38, nays 0, and the bill [S. 220] extending the time for the payment of taxes till the third Monday in April, was read the third time.
Mr. SHEEROD stated that a series of House bills on this subject were referred to a select Committee on Saturday.
On motion by Mr. CDMBACK, (Mr Oyler in the chair) this bill was also referred to that select Committee.
On his further motion the order of business was suspended and the bill [H. R. 185] ammending section 44 of the act to provide for opening, vacating and changing highways - so that a road open and in use for 20 years may be recorded - was read the third time and passed by yeas 40, nays 3.
