HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
WEDNESDAY, March 6, 1867.The House met at 9 o'clock A M.
On motion of Mr. FULLER, the reading of the journal of yesterday's proceedings was dispensed with, except the record of the vote on the Morgan raid bill, No. 14.
PETITIONS, &C.
Messrs. WRIGHT, FULLER, HUGHES, HAYS and HAMILTON, severally presented temperance petitions, which, without reading, were referred to the Committee on Temperance.
Mr. HAMILTON presented claims for Thos. Johns, James Stewart and John Hubbard
Mr. STEWART presented the claims of Geo. W. Alexander. These claim papers were referred without reading.
REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES.
Mr. HUGHES, from the Committee on the Judiciary, returned the frauds on the insurers prevention bill [S. 103] with an amendment, recommending its passage.
Mr. WOODS, from the Committee on the Judiciary, returned Mr. Hopkins' Alvah Johnson relief [$478] bill, recommending that it be laid on the table, and that the Committee on Ways and Means provise for said relief in the specific appropriation bill.
Mr. WOODS gave the facts in the case.
The report was concurred in.
Mr. DAGGY, from the Judiciary Committee, returned the resolution to authorize the culverting of railroads, intimating want of time for just action, and that the question might be properly referred to the Attorney General of the State; and asking and obtaining discharge from its further consideration.
Mr. DAGGY, from the Committee on the Judiciary, responding to the resolution directing said Committee to report the bill, No. 76, reported that said bill has never been in their hands.
Mr. WOODS, from the Committee on the Judiciary, returned the competent witness bill [S 29] with an amendment, and recommended its passage.
By Mr. McFADIN, from the Judiciary Committee, returned the bill [S. 94see page 105] for protection of fur bearing animals, recommending its passage.
Mr. RATLIFF, from the Committee on Education, returned the bill [S. 114] amending numerous sections of the common School law of March 6,1865, with amendments, recommending its passage.
Mr. WRIGHT, from the Committee on Claims, returned the claims of sundry persons for attending as witnesses before the Committee on arbitrary arrests, for the session of 1863, recommending allowance. The report was concurred in.
Mr. SABIN, from the Committee on Fees and Salaries, returned the Supreme Court Sheriff Appointment Amendment bill [S. 36] recommending its passage.
Mr. THRASHER, from the Committee on Roads, returned the Supervisor's Election Amendment bill [S. 38] recommending its passage.
Mr. CHAMBERS, from the Corporations Committee, returned Mr. Wason's Vevay, Mt. Sterling and Versailles Turnpike, Charter Amendment bill [H. R. 332] recommending its passage.
Mr. CAMPBELL asked that the report of the Committee on Public Expenditures, on the Expenses of Governor Morton's administration, called for by the resolution offered by Mr. Kiser, be taken up and concurred in.
Mr. BAKER called attention to an article in a morning paper charging inaccuracy upon the report, and hoped it would not be concurred in at once, but made a special order - say 11 o'clock to-morrow.
Mr. CAMPBELL hoped the House would not stop for an anonymous communication in the Indianapolis Herald. He regarded it as unworthy the attention of the House.
On motion of Mr. SHUEY, Mr. Baker's motion was laid on the table - yeas 40, nays 30.
The report was then concurred in.
Mr. STAFFORD, from the Committee on Claims, reported allowance of the claim of W. R. Holloway for German printing in 1865not authorized by law.
The House refused to concur in the report.
Mr. THACHER, from the special Committee thereon, returned Mr. Moore's bill [H. R. 336] for changing the boundary line between the counties of Decatur and Shelby, and reported the opinion that it was not good policy in the Legislature to change county boundaries, &c.
Mr. MOORE was heard against the report. He rehearsed the provisions of the bill - stated that the opposition was that the change would make the lines look badly on the map. But agreeable figures on the map could not secure public convenience. He contended against the allegation that a majority were opposed to the change. It was not a majority of the substantial citizens interested. He submitted a minority report, setting forth reasons more particularly.
The matter goes to the files.
Mr. MONTGOMERY desired to call up his bill No. 278.
The SPEAKER stated the condition of Mr. Montgomery's court bill No. 278 - That it is in possession of the Senate. It requires a motion to call it back.
Mr. CRAIN, from the Committee on Employees, reported confirmation of the appointment of James A. Taylor as Clerk of the Committee on Printing.
Mr. SHUEY protested against the report.
Mr. ROSSER stated the facts. He had employed Mr. Taylor, and paid him out of his own pocket.
Mr. PEELLE alleged that he had done a large amount of work for him.
Mr. LONG of Jackson concurred in the remarks of Mr. Shuey. The special printing committee received the services of the clerk.
Mr. MILLER explained that it was understood that the committees should work together.
The SPEAKER. There is nothing before the House.
Mr. DAGGY submitted the following:
page: 404[View Page 404]WHEREAS, The Committee on State Prisons, under direction of the House, visited the Prisons, and thereby incurred the expense of said visit; now, therefore, to reimburse and indemnify the several members of said Committee for said expenses so incurred as aforesaid -
Resolved, That each of the members of said Committee who incurred such expenses, be allowed the sum of fifteen dollars; and that this resolution be referred, to the Committee on Ways and Means, with instructions to place the same on the Specific Appropriation bill.
Mr. HIGGINS suggested that this pay were just as well by the signature of the Speaker.
So the latter clause of the resolution was stricken out, and these words substituted:
"And that the Speaker shall certify to such allowance, and the Auditor shall draw his warrant on the Treasury for the same."
And so it was adopted.
Mr. WHITE submitted the following:
Resolved, That in view of the proposition hereby submitted to the House of Representatives of the General Assembly of the State of Indiana, by the Board of County Commissioners of the County of Hancock, that the Committee on Agriculture be required to take into consideration the propriety of accepting said proposition and locating said Agricultural College at said point in or near the town of Greenfield in said county in compliance with the accompanying official proposition; and report by bill or otherwise.
The SPEAKER. That whole subject - matter having been indefinitely postponed, it is not in order to bring it up by resolution.
WILSON'S DIGEST.
Mr. WOODS called up his resolution submitted Monday, for the purchase of Wilson's Digest of Parliamentary Law. Instead of offering himself an opinion as to its merits, he preferred that the House would hear what the gentleman from Monroe [Mr. Hughes] would say about it. He understood that some care.
Mr. HUGHES said he supposed he had read every word of it, and, as far as he is competent to judge, it is a very excellent Digest of Parliamentary Law.
Mr. HOPKINS moved to amend - each member buy it for himself from his $40 stationery appropriation.
Mr. HUGHES said the actual cost of the book was $1.96. He believed the Senate has taken it at $2 50. The price should be stated in the resolution.
Mr. HIGGINS moved to lay the subject on the table, demanding the yeas and nays.
The subject was laid on the table - 46 to 36.
UNIVERSITY SQUARE.
The SPEAKER announced the special order - the consideration of Mr. McLean's bill [H. R. 258] for commissioners to sell University Square (see page 194), the question being on concurrence in the amendment substitute reported.
The report was concurred in.
Mr. HUGHES said the gentleman from Marion [Mr. Newcomb] objects to the fifth section, and propsed an amendment to the third section, providing that if said court decide that said square belongs to other parties than the City or the State, then such owner shall refund to the city the amount of money she has expanded for the improvement of said square. He hoped the House would give unanimous consent that these amendments be made - strike out the fifth section and amend the third.
It was so ordered by consent.
Mr. WASON said, as a member of the Committee on Education, he knew nothing about that report. And feeling that this square belongs to the State, he was unwilling to vote for a bill allowing parties to sue for title to it.
Mr. HUGHES said, it was not to take the property away from the State, but to determine what use the State shall make of this property, which she holds in trust.
Mr. THACHER should vote against the bill, because he believed the title to be in the State, and feared that if these parties go to law they will cheat the State out of it.
Mr. CORY objected to the manner of the getting up of the report without a session of the committee.
Mr. McLean stated the facts in preparing the report. He submitted the report to every member individually in their seats in the House. He understood all to consent to give the matter to the House. He stated the he object of the bill - to determine for whose benefit the trust is held.
Mr. HUGHES supposed that in twenty minutes he could satisfy the House that the bill is right. In reply to Mr. Stewart, he explained more particularly the object of the bill.
Mr. McFADIN. This course is often taken to quiet titles.
Mr. RATLIFF thought the passage of this bill was the best thing we could do.
Mr. CAMPBELL demanded the previous question, and thereunder the vote was reported - yeas 50, nays 30:
So the bill failed for lack of a constitutional vote of 51.
INDIANA UNIVERSITY.
On motion of Mr. HUGHES, Mr. McLean's University ($8,000 annually) Appropriation bill [H. R. 319] was taken up - the question being on the third and last reading thereof.
The vote resulted - yeas 73, nays 4 - so the bill passed the House of Representatives.
HOUSE OF REFUGE.
On motion by Mr. SHUEY, the House took up the House of Refuge bill [S. 161]- page: 405[View Page 405] the question being on the third and last reading.
The bill having been read through -
Mr. BOBO objected to the bill on account of its prospective expensiveness. The clause giving the Superintendent power to bind out the juveniles would defeat the prime object of a House of Refuge. There was a larger delinquent tax list for 1865 than the country has seen for fifteen years; and for this reason it was inexpedient.
Mr. PEELLE demanded the previous question on the final passage, and there was a second.
Mr. SHUEY, as chairman on the part of the House, of the joint committee that proposed the bill, waiving his right to close debate, the vote was reported - yeas 59, nays 30 - as follows:
YEAS - Messrs. Belford, Bischof, Brucker, Campbell, Chambers, Crain, Daggy, Danaldson, Dunn, Erwin, Evans, Ferris, Foulke, Funk, Geisendorff, Gordon, Griggs, Hartman, Hamilton, Higgins, Hopkins, Hudson, Hughes, Kiser, Litson, Long of Kosciusko, Martin, Mason. McCarthy, McClasky, McFadin, McLean, Miller, Moore, Newcomb, North, Peelle, Prather, Ratliff, Rosser, Scammahorn, Shoaff, Shuey, Skirdmore, Smith of Lagrange, Smith, of Wabash, Spencer, Stafford, Stewart, Thrasher, Thomas, Wason, Watson, Wilson, Wolfer, Wolflin, Woods, Wright and Mr. Speaker - 59.
NAYS. - Messrs. Baker, Barritt, Black, Bobo, Carter, Corey, Crowe. Douglas, Edmonson, Fuller, Green, Greer, Honneus, Hostetter, Hungate, Inman, Long of Jackson, Lopp, McMurray, Montgomery, Shields, Shook, Shull, Stackhouse, Tebbs, Shields, Thacher, Van Valkenburgh, Vawter, White and Wolfe - 30.
On motion of Mr. MILLER, the change of venue bill [S. 13] was taken up and recommitted to the Judiciary Committee with instructions to amend.
GENERAL APPROPRIATIONS
Mr. NEWCOMB moved instructions to the Committee on Ways and Means to insert in the appropriation bill [H. R. 341] an appropriation for outstanding University bonds for two years; which was adopted.
On the motion of Mr. NEWCOMB -
The general appropriation bill was taken up, read the third time, and passed the House of Representatives - yeas 64, nays 18.
SOLDIER BOUNTY BONDS.
On motion of Mr. BLACK, the soldier bond bill [S. 152] to legalize and make valid certain bonds, and to provide for the payment of the same, was taken up on the second reading.
Mr. GRIGGS proposed an amendment to this effect:
And all soldiers who have entered the service of the United States under a call of the President for three years or during the war, and who were engaged in the service at the time of the giving of bounties, and who have received no bounty, and have been honorably discharged, shall be each entitled to receive $100 bounty from his county; provided nothing in this act shall be so construed as to affect any county which has not issued bonds.
It was adopted; and then the bill was ordered to the engrossment.
LEGALIZING ACTS.
On motion of Mr. NEWCOMB, the Committee on Ways and Means' revenu bills, Nos. 334, 355, were taken up, on their final reading.
The bill, No. 334, to legalize the action of the State Board of Equalization of 1864, was finally passed the House of Representatives - yeas 68. nays 5.
The bill, No. 335, to amend section 2 of the act to provide a treasury system for the State of Indiana, which took effect August 6,1859, [including notes of National Banks and legal tender currency, with gold, as receivable for taxes - legalizing the acts of the Treasurer] was finally passed the House of Representatives - 76 to 4.
Mr. PEELLE moved to take up the select committee's bill [H. R. 231] authorizing the Secretary of State to purchase the public printing paper, &c , (see page 335), which was agreed to, and it was taken up the question being on the third reading thereof
Mr. NEWCOMB, on behalf of the State Printer, against whom it seemed that bill was leveled, stated that it could not be a matter of much anxiety to any man to propose to deny him the privilege of advancing large amounts of money to pay for State printing paper. He referred to facts, by way of exculpating the State Printer from whatever feeling of suspicion might exist on account of large paper bills. He referred to the fact that in 1856 the purchase of paper was placed in the hands of the Public Printer, to prevent its unlawful use. He might vote for the bill if it were not a reflection on the State Printer.
Mr. PEELLE said it was not, and explained at length. When he had concluded he demanded the previous question, and there was a second.
The bill passed the House of Representatives - 64 to 11 - with an amendment of title moved by Mr. Hostetter, viz: inserting appropriately these words: "And for the safe keeping of a specimen copy of each document printed for the State."
Mr. RATLIFF (by leave), from the Committee on Education, returned the school law amendment bill [S. 114], recommending its passage.
The House then took recess till 2 o'clock.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
On motion of Mr. CROWE, the title to the Morgan raid bill was amended by adding the words, "and providing compensation for commissioners and others."
page: 406[View Page 406]On motion of Mr. WOLFER, the conventional interest bill [S. 93] was taken up and passed to the third reading.
CHANGE OF VENUE.
Mr. MILLER (by leave), from the Judiciary Committee, returned the change of venue bill [S. 13], recommending an amendment according of instructions of the House.
On motion of Mr. MILLER, the report was concurred in; and the bill was ordered to the third reading.
THE CALENDAR.
Mr. Wood's railroad freight regulations bill [H. R. 19 - see page 35] coming up on the third reading -
Mr. WOODS set forth the provisions and object of the bill - the company shall publish a schedule of through freights, and that shall be the basis of the charge for way freight - allowing an excess of 15 cents on the through freight charge.
The bill was finally passed the House of Representatives, 62 to 12
The Railroad Committee's Railroad Consolidation bill [H. R. 243] coming up on the third reading -
Mr. CRAIN explained its objects. It compels consolidations to come under the general Railroad Chapter, and prevents consolidations to take railroad property out of the State, &c.
The bill finally passed the House of Representatives - 62 to 11.
Mr. Peelle's false pretences felony bill [H. R. 259] (including the word "accounts,") was finally passed the House of Representatives - 80 to 0.
Mr. Wolfe's Normal School (15th section) repeal bill [H. R 153] being a committee substitute for the same, taking the $10,000 for the Normal School out of the general fund, instead of out of the common school fund, coming up -
Mr. WOLFE insisted upon a vote on his proposition to repeal that 15th section of the Norman School act, so as to get it out of the way of any further grasping after the common school fund. He moved to lay the substitute on the table.
Mr. MILLER moved ineffectually to lay the whole subject on the table - yeas 22, nays 55.
Mr. McLEAN showed that the committee have acted in good faith toward the proposition of the gentleman from Sullivan [Mr. Wolfe,] by leaving the common school fund and taking this $5,000 semi - annually out of the general fund.
Mr. NEWCOMB said there was no more appropriate use of the school fund than to apply it to the Normal School tor the education of teachers. But as to this bill, it was not needed, because the school is not yet organized; and he should vote against it, because of the burdens on the general treasury, to which he referred particularly. The school fund could bear this $10,000 a year better than the general fund.
The subject was passed over for the special order.
SETTLEMENT WITH THE GENERAL GOVERNMENT.
The House now took up the special order, viz: the consideration of Mr. Speaker Branham's General Government Settlement bill [H. R. 342] - the question being on Mr. Prather's amendment to the second section.
Mr. PRATHER took the floor, stating the object thereof, and defending it at length. He objected to those bonds outside of those held by the General Government, being raised to par value and interest. He would be willing to buy them at their market value.
Mr. CRAIN said these bonds were original canal bonds; and just as soon as those bonds were sued upon and go to judgment, the levy and execution will fall on the canal and its property.
Mr. NEWCOMB stated the two propositions in the bill: to settle with the general government arid take up, the Indiana bonds it holds. He was in favor of providing thus far, and leave the other to our successors. This was the effect of the amendment of the gentleman from Jennings [Mr. Prather]. In reply to Mr. Crain, he showed that we are not in such terrible danger as he apprehends.
Mr HUGHES could not see why a discrimination should be made between paying the bonds held by the United States and those held by other parties.
Mr. PRATHER said there was no squinting at repudiation.
Mr. HUGHES referred deprecatingly to the stain of repudiation which the State has brought upon herself in this matter; and he would not go further in that direction by shaving our own paper. Such a proposition might be very acceptable to a bankrupt.
Mr. KIZER gave account of the origin of these canal bonds. He closed by alleging, that, though the United States is bankrupt, the State of Indiana is not yet; but soon will be if she does not avoid the counsels of politicians voting more money out of the Treasury than they vote in.
Mr. Speaker BRANHAM (Mr. Miller in the Chair) took the floor on the matters contemplated in his bill. In 1861, he endeavored by a motion here, to authorize the buying up of these bonds at their market value; but since the bonds have matured, and the State could not honorably buy up its paper at less than its face. The object he had in view was to give the school fund the benefit of purchasing these page: 407[View Page 407] bonds at their value before maturity. He pursued this subject, as it has been connected with the attempted repudiation of the interest on about $270,000 held by the General Government. No Indianian can stand in Washington to-day and face this business without feeling his cheeks tingle with shame. He deprecated the amendment, and insisted on paying off all this old debt, as soon as we can realize the money we have spent during the war, and wipe out this old reproach.
Mr. PRATHER replied.
Mr. HUGHES moved to lay the amendment on the table - 23 to 56; and the question recurred on its adoption.
Mr. Prather's amendment was adopted.
Mr. NEWCOMB proposed to further amend the bill by striking out from the first section these words: "to appoint a commission to consist of not more than three discreet persons whose duty it shall be to proceed;" so that the Governor shall be required to settle these claims.
Mr. LOPP proposed so to amend as to put this business into the hands of the agent of the State.
Mr. NEWCOMB explained his amendment. It was to authorize the Governor to settle with the General Government, leaving out the Commissioners. A commission would be expensive. He showed that the Governor would be the proper person and the only person to settle under the act of Congress and the act of the State Legislature of 1845: He would strike out commissioners wherever they occur in the bill and insert "the Governor" in lieu.
Mr. BRANHAM alleged that the whole of this amendment was to place this business in the office of the Adjutant General.
Mr. NEWCOMB said the Adjutant General was not in his mind when he offered the amendment.
Mr. LOPP supported his amendment.
Mr. WOODS demanded the previous question, and thereunder -
M. Lopp's amendment was rejected.
The vote on Mr. Newcomb's amendment resulted - 50 to 25 - as follows:
YEAS - Messrs. Baker, Barritt, Black, Bobo, Campbell, Chambers, Crowe, Daggy, Danaldson, Douglass, Erwin, Evans, Funk, Geisendorf, Gordon, Green, Greer, Hartman, Hays, Hopkins, Hostetter, Kizer, Long of Jackson, Lopp, McCarthy, McClasky, Miller, Newcomb, Prather, Rosser, Scammahorn, Shields, Shook, Shoaff, Shull, Skidmore, Smith of Wabash, Spencer, Stackaouse, Stafford, Stewart, Tebbs, Thatcher, Thomas, Watson Williams, White, Wolfer, Woods and Wright - 50.
NAYS - Messrs. Dunn, Higgins, Honneus, Hudson. Hughes, Hungate, Inman, Litson, Martin, McFadin, McLean, McMurray, Moore, North, Peelle, Ratliff, Boss, Shuey, Smith of Lagrange, Thrasher, Van Valkeburgh, Wason, Wilson, Wolfe, Wolflin and Mr. Speaker - 25.
So the amendment was agreed to.
Mr. HUGHES moved to indefinitely postpone the whole subject.
The vote thereon resulting - 33 to 47 - as follows;
YEAS - Messrs. Baker, Black, Bobo, Carter, Cory, Edmonson, Gordon, Hays, Higgins, Honneus, Hostetter, Hughes, Hungate, Kizer, Litson, Long of Jackson, Lopp, Martin, Moore, Shields, Shull, Stackhouse, Stafford, Tebbs, Thacher, Van Valkenburgh, Vawter, Williams, White, Wolfe and Mr. Speaker - 33.
NAYS - Messrs. Belford, Brucker, Campbell, Chambers, Crain, Crowe, Daggy, Danaldson, Dunn, Erwin, Ferris, Foulke, Funk, Geisendorff, Greer, Griggs, Hartman, Hopkins, Hudson, Long of Kosciusko, McCarthy, McClasky, McLean, McMurray, Miller, Newcomb, North, Peelle, Prather, Ratliff, Rosser, Scammahorn, Shoaff, Skidmore, Smith of Lagrange, Smith of Wabash, Spencer, Stewart, Thrasher, Thomas, Wason, Watson, Wolfer, Wolflin, Woods, and Wright - 47.
So the House refused to postpone; and the question recurred on the bill.
Mr. HIGGINS charged the objection of repudiation.
Mr. NEWCOMB saw no repudiation in the amendment of Mr. Prather. He then moved further amendments by substituting "Governor" for "Commissioners," and striking out the 4th and 8th sections, requiring record, & c.
Mr. HUGHES hoped the House would pause before it passed a bill open to the objection alleged by Mr. Higgins. The bill simply authorizes the Governor to settle those bonds which the General Government holds; but not the bonds of the same class held by individuals. We'd better lay the bill on the table, than go before the world as willing to settle with the General Government, and pay the bonds she holds, because she has a grip upon us, and unwilling to pay others of the same class. He asserted that by this action the bill is destroyed for every purpose for which it was designed by its author. He moved again to indefinitely postpone the further consideration of the subject.
The vote (under stress of the previous question) was reported - yeas 52, nays 32.
NORMAL SCHOOL.
The House now returned to the consideration of the substitute for Mr. Wolfe's bill No. 153.
Mr. WOLFE stated the provisions of his bill and of the substitute, and moved ineffectually to lay the latter on the table - yeas 33, nays 48.
Mr. MILLER demanded the previous question, and, thereunder, the substitute was rejected - 36 to 48.
Mr. WOODS, having previously moved an order tor a night session (which was adopted) -
The House took a recess till 7 o'clock.
page: 408[View Page 408]NIGHT SESSION.
The Knightstown Soldiers Home bill S. No. 4, with the amendments of the Committee on Military Affairs, so as to include "seamen," and changing a date in January, coming up -
The Committee amendments were adopted.
Mr. HIGGINS moved to strike out all that relates to purchasing more ground.
Mr. STEWART opposed the amendment.
Mr. CAMPBELL moved ineffectually to lay the amendment on the table.
The vote on Mr. Higgins' amendment (under stress of the previous question) resulted - 45 to 28 -
So the amendment was adopted; and then the bill was passed to the third reading.
On motion of Mr. Long of Koscuisko, the temperance bill [S. 46see page 53] with the Committee's amendment by way of substitute, was taken up.
Mr. LONG of Koscuisko moved to lay the substitute on the table.
Mr. DAGGY (by leave) stated the difference betwen these bills. The Senate bill was a license bill with heavy penalties - the petition to be signed by twenty. The substitute requires a majority to sign the petition.
Mr. FOULKE, (by leave.) He regarded the substitute as the better bill; but now in the close of the session, he preferred the Senate bill to no legislation. The session was too far advanced to expect anything from a Committee of Conference. Prohibition petitioners had. told him they would accept the Senate bill.
Mr. THACHER. Will the gentleman from Wayne inform the House, whether he is in favor of a prohibitory liquor law?
Mr. FOULKE. Individually he was; but for the sake of his party and State he was not.
Mr. LONG of Kosciusko withdrew the motion to lay on the table. He desired to adopt the bill that could be pased. He regarded the substitute as a free whiskey bill. Therefore he had moved to lay it on the table.
Mr. McFADIN proceeded at length to state the views that governed the Temperance Committee. They made a strong bill against strong drinks, and a bill of indulgences for wines and beer.
Mr. SPENCER defended the substitute at length, attacking objectionable matter in the Senate bill.
The vote on the substitute (under stress of the previous question) resulted - affirmative 25, negative 41; and the question recurred on the Senate bill.
Mr. WOODS moved to strike out of the 9th section on the words "Sunday nor."
Mr. HUGHES demanded the previous question, and, thereunder, the bill was ordered to the third reading.
CRIMINAL COURTS.
On motion of Mr. SHOAFF, the bill authorizing a criminal court in any county having 7,000 or more voters [S. 105] was taken up, and ordered to the third reading.
On motion of Mr. HUGHES, the rule of the House and the constitutional restriction were suspended - 67 to 6- and the bill was finally passed the House of Representatives - 63 to 10.
On motion of Mr. HUDSON, the bill [S. 174] for relief of Peter Wells and Benoni Wells, of Jay county, was taken up, and ordered to the third reading.
On motion of Mr. SMITH, of Lagrange the high school amendment bill [S. 143] was passed to the third reading.
On motion of Mr. WATKINS, the 13th Judicial Circuit bill [S. 40] was taken up, amended as to the time in the counties of Blackford and Wells, and finally passed the House of Representatives - yeas 69, nays 1.
On motion of Mr. THACHER, the Mining and Manufacturing supplemental bill [S. 191] was taken up - (supplemental to the act of May 20, 1852,) - and finally passed the House of Representatives - 72 to 0.
Mr. MATTHIS obtained leave of absence for the remainder of the session, on account of sickness.
On motion of Mr. McCLASKY, the bill [S. 242] to amend section 5 of the charter of the Wabash Manual Labor and Teachers' Seminary, was taken up and advanced to the second reading.
On motion of Mr. WOODS, the testimony bill [S. 29] was taken up, with the amendment thereto, reported from the Committee on the Judiciary - substituting the provisions of Mr. Woods' testimony bill.
The substitute was adopted, and so the bill was passed over.
On motion of Mr. VAWTER, the Evans' ville Unfinished Railroad bill [S, 125] was taken up, with the Committee amendments.
The amendments were adopted, and the bill passed to the third reading.
The House then adjourned.
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