IN SENATE.
MONDAY, March 11, 1867.The Senate met at 9 A. M.
Yesterday's journal was not read.
WM H. SCHLATER.
On motion by Mr. CULLEN it was -
Resolved, That Wm. H. Schlater be allowed fifty dollars for ten days services in the journal department of the Senate, and that the President if the Senate he and is hereby authorized to sign a warrant for that amount.
CONRAD BAKER.
Mr. WOLCOTT offered the following:
A concurrent resolution tendering the thanks of this General Assembly to Governor Conrad Baker.
Be it Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana, That the thanks of this General Assembly, be, and they are hereby respectfully ordered to His Excellency Governor Conrad Baker, for the uniform urbanity, kindness and courtesy displayed by him in all his personal and official intercourse with the members of this General Assembly ; and for his zealous and faithful discharge of his official duties.
It was adopted.
TRUM. G. PALMER.
Mr. OYLER offered the following:
Resolved, That T. G.Palmer be allowed five dollars per day during the present session for seeping the individual'accounts of the members and employees of the General Assembly.
Mr. TERRY moved to amend by striking out "five dollars," and inserting "two dollars and a half"
Mr. JOHNSON moved to lay the resolution and amendment on the table.
This motion was agreed to.
W. E. DRAPIER.
Mr. CHURCH offered a resolution, which was adopted, directing the Librarian to furnish the compiler of the BREVIER REPORTS with stationery, stamps, &c.as an appreciation of services.
OFFICES FOR STATE OFFICERS.
Mr. OYLER offered the following:
A concurrent resolution, authorizing and instructing the Secretary of State, Auditor of State and Treasurer of State to rent offices for the State officers.
Resolved, By the Senate (the House concurring) that the Secretary of Stace, Auditor of State and Treasurer of State, be hereby directed and instructed, at the earliest practicable time, to rent suitable buildings for the offices of State officers at a price not exceeding three thousand dollars per year, said rending not to be for a longer time than the time of the completion of the building authorized by the act of this General Assembly.
Mr. HANNA moved to amend by inserting appropriately the words "His Excellency, the Governor," and these words: "if in their discretion it shall be deemed advisable and the best economy to do so " He desired to make it a question of economy.
Mr. OYLER accepted the amendment.
The resolution was adopted.
THE MORGAN AND OTHER REBEL RAIDS
Mr. CRAVENS understood that there was an important measure defeated on Saturday, because its friends could not get a constitutional majority to suspend the page: 446[View Page 446] rules that the bill might be read the third] -time. He was absent on account of ill health, and now although too much indisposed to be in his seat, he desired as an act of justice to citizens in the southern par! of the State, to introduce a concurrent resolution to authorize the appointment of a commission, similar to the one proposed in the Morgan raid bill [H R 14].
The resolution was read.
It provides as follows:
The Governor shall appoint three Commissioners "to hear, determine and adjust all claims for losses which have heretofore occured by reason of the injury, destruction loss or impressment of property had or held by any inhabitant of the State of Indiana by rebel forces under the command of the rebel John Morgan in the year 1863 or caused by the State or National forces engaged in repelling said invasion, er caused by Organizing and equipping troop- to repel the threatened invasion of the State by the rebel forces under the command of Adam Johnson in the year 1864." The Governor shall also appoint an Attorney who shall be present, at all the meetings to project the interests of the State The Commissioners appoint a clerk.
Mr. TERRY moved to lay the concurrent resolution on the table.
Mr. CRAVENS was too much troubled with an affection of the throat to speak without great difficulty, but remarked that such a disposition of this proposition would be treating the people of Southern Indiana rather badly. He hoped the Senator would withdraw his motion to lay on the table.
Mr. TERRY thought we have had enough of the Morgan raid matter before us this session - it had been fairly disposed of, and he declined to withdraw his motion.
The motion was rejected.
Mr. BELLAMY denied that this question had been fairly met and settled, and recited the history of the bill to prove that he was not mistaken on this point. He hoped this resolution would pass.
Mr. CHURCH moved to amend the resolution by providing that not more tha $2,000 be used to defray the expenses of said commission.
Mr. THOMPSON was not opposed to this proposition, as represented by the r porter in this morning's JOURNAL. He said on Saturday that this was the proposition he made here himself one year ago, but. that he was hostile to a bill then pending, appropriating $300,000, not knowing to whom it was going or for what. He hoped the re porter would set him right on this question. He could see nothing unreasonable in this proposition. Our men, as well as Morgan's men, have robbed the people of their property, and now they are asking nothing but what is right of us in this resolution.
Mr. BENNETT regarded this as a direct attempt to get money out of the State Treasury. The friends of this measure have not been able to pass it, after repeated efforts during the past two sessions If there is a, quorum here now, and they have he power to pass it, they can do so, of course, but he intended to prevent it if he could. Indiana did not wage this war; it was waged by the United States, and it is their business, and not the business of Indiana, to look after these claims. It was with that view we passed a resolution the other day, memorializing Congress on this subject.
Mr. SHERROD (interposing By what means can Congress arrive at the tacts in the case?
Mr. BENNETT. Some gentleman in Congress from this State can get up and ask the appointment of a committee to attend to this matter on behalf of the government of the United States. It is right for Congress to make the investigation, but it is nor the business of the people of the State of Indiana to do it.
Mr JOHNSON was disposed to guard the State Treasury very closely, but thought t nothing more than right that we should jive this people the power to put their claims in such a shape, that they caw get their pay. He did not know that his constituents were interested in this matter, but would act justly toward this people as far as his vote would go.
Mr. SHERROD had been rather opposed to this measure, but in the simple form it is now presented he could not see how any Senator, disposed to do justice to any portion of the people of the State, can oppose it He had heard a great deal of talk about loyalty, and flouts of that kind bad been thrown out here, but he knew this people to be as loyal as any people of the State, and their action has proven it. He hoped the Senate would adopt the resolution without farther discussion.
Mr PARRISH could see no necessity for a resolution of this kind. It is already a provision of law that whenever property is taken by authority of the agents of the Government, the Government pays for it: out Senators now propose to open the door wide to pay for damages done by mere trespassers - a thing that never was done by any government. The Government pays for no losses of this kind, and what is the use of legislating on a subject of this kind while there are existing laws to reach every meritorious case?
Mr. HUFFMAN. The Senator has failed to read the acts of the Legislature of Kansas, or he would not speak as he does of governments not paying for property taken by trespassers. That State made appropriations to pay for property taken by the rebel General Price, and by the Indians in raids into that State. But this resolution does not ask the State to pay one cent of page: 447[View Page 447] these claims, neither does it ask the General Government, to pay one cent till the matter is fully investigated. Either the State or the General Government is in duty bound to pay them, and where is the gentleman who will rise in his place and say that just and honest claims should not be paid? He insisted that this matter should be investigated, and hoped the resolution would pass
Mr. HYATT thought it his duty to say something in behalf of this resolution. I there ever was a just claim before the Sen ate this was one, and he believed a similar proposition would have passed, years age if it had been fairly treated. Gentlemen can urge individual claims here, but when it comes to claims presented by a large portion of the people in the southern part the State it is insinuated that rebels are mixed up with them; and when they make that charge they say what is false and untrue. He would always vote to pay all just claims against the State; and there is not man on this floor that can say these claims are not just. Many of them belong to soldiers' widows, and they now ask that provision be made so that they can at some time get pay for property taken from them by the fate of war.
The $2,000 amendment was rejected.
Mr. CRAVENS, as intimated a few moments ago, had not the power to talk but a minute or two, but wished to say that as far as he was personally concerned this matter did not interest him to the amount often cents: and as far as his constituents were concerned if this Senate shall decide to go home without doing them justice, they can pocket their losses. Still there are citizens of counties in the Southern part of the State who are wholly unable to bear these losses. The Senator from Union [Mr. Bennett] says this is not a charge upon the treasury of the State. It may be that it is not, but it is a charge upon somebody. This people were so unfortunate as to occupy a position in the Southern part of the State, and all that prevented John Morgan from pursuing his raid to this Capital and laying it in waste was that this people were between him and you. Now all we ask is that this Committee may be raised to investigate these claims, and if they are a proper charge upon the general government, let us authorize a complete investigation of them and the people will then have the State of Indiana for their agent to press their claims upon the Treasury of the United States - as it is well known that thousand o'f claimant? would exhaust their entire claims in procuring counsel. If these claims are not chargeable upon the treasury of the general government, let us have it declared so by law, Injustice to the people of Southern Indiana be asked that a vote be taken on this proposition.
Mr. CHURCH, understanding from the friends of the measure that $8,000 would pay the expense of the proposed Commission, was willing to vote that amount if it would cost no more. Under the bill [H R. 14] he believed there was a chance tor expending $50,000, and of course he was opposed to expending that sum for this purpose. He moved to amend by providing that not more than $3,000 shall be used to defray the expenses ot said Commission.
Mr. CRAVENS accepted.
Mr. ENGLISH would not press this matter at this time did he not believe that a majority of the Senate were friendly to it. He cared not what people say about the loyalty of Southern Indiana. That portion of the State her people are ashamed of. His county never polled 2,300 votes, but it turned out 1,800 soldiers, and he loved to. honor her for it. He contended that it is nothing but just that the people there should have ail opportunity to show the country that what they claim is right.
Mr. BENNETT referred to the votes taken on the Morgan raid bill to show that t never did receive the support of a majority of this Senate - on the test vote it lacked three of a majority. While he had said that there were disloyal men in Southern Indiana, he never had made the charge that Southern Indiana was disloyal, for he well knew that many of the citizens there are as loyal and as true to the flag of our country as ever carried a musket - he had met them at home and upon the battlefield, and pronounced them as true and as loyal and as good soldiers as ever lived.
Mr BELLAMY demanded the previous question. The demand was seconded by 22 Senators.
The concurrent resolution was then adopted by yeas 27, nays 7 - as follows:
YEAS - Messrs. Bellamy. Bowman, Brown, Church, Cravens, Cullen, English, Gifford, ttanna, Huey, Huffman Humphreys, Hyatt, Johnson, Lewis, Mason, Oyter, Richmond, Robinson, Sherrod, Smith, Taggart, Thompson, Turner, Ward, Wolcott and Mr. President - 27.
NAYS - Messrs. Armstrong, Bennett, Cason, Milligan, Reagan, Rice, Stein and Terry - 8.
Pending the roll call -
Mr. STEIN was always willing to allow a sense of justice to overrule his feelings of resentment, and, notwithstanding his opposition to the bill [H R. 14] on Saturday light, he was understood to say that he would be happy to support this resolution if its terms were the same as those imposed upon Major Hall in 1855 [whose claim is embraced in Mr Stein's bill S 142]if the commission were raised without incurring any expense upon the State. As this reso- page: 448[View Page 448] lution involves an expense of $3,000 he would have to vote "no."
Mr. THOMPSON, when his name was called, said: The principle reason he voted for this resolution is because Governor Morton, a man in whose sound judgment he had the greatest confidence, recommended this measure in his message as a matter of justice to the people in that portion of the State. Having, under that recommendation, one year ago offered a similar amendment, which was voted down, to a bill then pending, he felt himself at the present time not only ready but bound to vote for this resolution.
Mr. TURNER, when his name was called, was understood to say that the rights of these people had been invaded, and in order that they should have a remedy he would vote for this resolution.
After the roll-call was finished -
Mr. RICE said: Personally he would be glad to support this measure out of kindly feelings to many of its warm friends, but as it has been canvassed in his distrct, he felt that he was instructed against it. Then he thought it wrong in principle, for he had yet to read of a precedent where any government has paid for property destroyed by a foreign foe. If a foreign war should spring up and the property of our citizens be destroyed therein they might as well ask to be reimbursed in such a case as in this one. Another thing: if Congress should not pay these claims, he was satisfied they would linger here for the next thirty years, and thousands and thousands of dollars would be lost in discussing them from session to session. For these reasons he voted "no."
The result was then announced as above.
BREVIER AND OTHER REPORTS, ACTS, AND JOURNALS.
Pending the above discussion -
On motion by Mr. OYLER it was -
Resolved, That the Secretary of State be authorized to have bound and sent to each member of the Senate and the officers, clerks, and reporters thereof, three copies of the LEGISLATIVE BREVIER REPORTS; also two copies of the Senate, House, Documentary Agricultural and Horticultural Reports, and also two copies of the acts of the present session, all to be bound in full law and the first and last volume of the Adjutant General's Report
STATIONARY AND STAMPS.
The PRESIDENT laid before the Senate the State Librarian's report of the stationery and stamps drawn by each Senator and elective officer, footing up between $3,000 and $4,000.
On motion by Mr. CULLEN, it as laid on the table without reading.
THE LAWS IN GERMAN.
On motion by Mr. CULLENT, the concurrent resolution of the House of Representatives, authorizing the State Printer to print 600 copies of the acts of the present session in the German language was concurred by the Senate.
TO WAIT ON THE GOVERNOR
The PRESIDENT. Is it the pleasure of the Senate to take up the message from the House transmitting a resolution for the ap-upon the Governor, and ascertain whether he has any further communication to make to the General Assembly?
It was so ordered by consent.
The resolution being read -
SOLDIERS CLAIMS AGENCIES.
The House resolution recommending the Governor to appoint, as military claim agents, none but soldiers who have served in tbe war for three years, or who have been wounded or received an honorable discharge, being read -
Mr. BENNETT said: Mr. President - I am well satisfied that my record on behalf of soldiers is sufficiently understood And I am equally well satisfied that this resolution was proposed by the enemies of the Claim Agency bill for the purpose of compelling the friends of thai measure to make a record which they think will be in opposition to the rights of soldiers. Now, sir, I know that no soldier in this State is unwilling to leave these appointments Governor Baker, himself a gallant soldier. The bill establishing these agencies contemplated a benefit to soldiers, in the collection of their claims, and the great question is not so much who shall be the agents, as that they shall be competent men. That question is not so much who shall be the agents, as that they shall be competent men That question I am willing to leave to the Governor, and move that the resolution lie upon the table.
The motion was agreed to.
[Mr. CASON, returned to the Secretary's table sundry papers from the Committee on Education.]
THE LINCOLN MONUMENT.
Mr. MILLIGAN, from the special committee thereon, returned the commission from Governor Baker respecting an appropriation for the Lincoln monument at Springfield, with a recommendation that it he on the table.
The report was concurred in.
Mr. MILLIGAN. Mr. President, in making this report I do not wish it to be understood that we do not think it a very meritorious act to erect this monument, There is no one that the people of Indiana would feel more like honoring, for his love of country, patriotism and philanthropy, than Mr. Lincoln; and I hope ere this page: 449[View Page 449] monument is erected that Indiana will yet be ready to assist our sister State of Illinois in the noble and patriotic project of raising a monument to the memory of our lamented President. I am pleased to hear that the other branch of our Legislature has authorized $10,000 to be appropriated as soon as $125,000 is expended on the monument.
FEDERAL RELATIONS.
Mr. SHERROD offered the following:
1. WHEREAS, At the beginning of the late civil war, it was declared that the "war should nor be prosecuted in a spirit of conquest or subjugation, nor for the purpose of overthrowing or interfering with the rights or institutions of the States, but to maintain the supremacy of the Constitution, and to preserve the Union with all the dignity, equality and rights of the several States unimpaired ; and that as soon as these objects are accomplished, the war ought to close ;" and
2. WHEREAS, To carry into execution this solemn pledge, a bloody war of .four years was waged by the 'patriotic soldiers of the Republic. terminating in the surrender of ail those in arms-against the Government, and in the complete submission of the people of the feoiitnern States to the authority of the Federal Government; and
3. WHEREAS, for nearly two years no organized resistance has been offered in any one of the States lately involved in the rebellion to the authority of the Federal Government, and no impediment exists to prevent the civil authorities of the United States from carrying into complete effect the solemn pledge made by the Government in the name of the people, therefore
4. Resolved (the House of Representatives concuring) that it is the solemn judgment; of the General Assembly of the State of Indiana that the long delay in bringing about complete restoration of political relations between the Federal Government and the States lately involved in the rebellion has been caused not by a desire to "preserve the Union with all the dignity, equality and rights of the several States unimpaired," but to enable a Radical majority in Congress to force upou the people in the Southern States the odious doctrine of "negro equality and negro suffrage"
5. That the measures of the late Congress in extending the right of suffrage to the negroes of the District, of Columbia and in all the Territories of the United States, and in forcing the people of Nebraska and other new States offering themselves for admission into the Union, TO so amend their Constitutions as to strike out all distinction on account of race or color, are but a part of a general plan to establish the right of suffrage in this country upon the basis of negro equality, and meets with our unqualified condemnation.
6. That the late act of Congress known as the military bill passed over the President's veto, establishes a military despotism in ten States of the Union, and leaves to the people thereof no escape from the tyranny thus established over them, except in the formation of new governments on the basis of negro equality, and in all its features is in conflict with the declaration of principles under which the war was conducted and carried through to a success, as well as at war with every principle of a free government
7. That we, the people of Indiana, are opposed to negro suffrage in all its phases: that we do not intend that it shall be adopted in our State, nor do we intend to divide the political power of our State with this African race, and we do not believe it manly or just to force upon an unwiliing people laws and institutions that are distasteful to ourselves, and we therefore instruct our Senators and request our representatives in Congress in all measures deigned to restore political relations with the Southern States to leave the people of those States free to adopt or reject negro suffrage as to them may seem best for their interests and welfare, hoping that the action of the people everywhere shall be such as to leave our government what our fathers made it- "white man's Government."
Mr. TURNER moved the adoption of the resolutions. He had no gas to expend upon them, but he thought there were some of bis friends disposed to. blow off.
Mr. CULLEN moved their reference to the Committee on Federal Relations.
Mr. SHERROD did not expect the majority to vote for these resolutions, bat feeling a deep interest therein, proposed that there should be a record made upon them He did not intend to detain the Senate with an elaborate discussion of the principles involved in these resolutions at this late hour in the session, although he would like to meet gentlemen on the opposite side of the chamber in the discussion, for he looked upon it as involving questions of the greatest magnitude. He spoke in support of his resolutions at considerable length - the five minutes rule being suspended for the purpose.
Mr. BENNETT replied, in opposition.
Mr.TURNER having heard a great deal said upon this floor during the past sixty days upon the subject of loyalty, and believing that that word has never been defined either in the books or by deliberative assemblies, he gave to the Senate his definition of the word loyalty; and then proceeded to argue in favor of a direct vote upon the merits of the pending resolutions. When he had concluded -
Mr. CULLEN demanded the previous question.
The demand was seconded by the Senate, and under its operation -
The motion to refer the resolutions to the Committee on Federal Relations was agreed to by yeas 22, nays 12 - as follows:
YEAS - Messrs. Armstrong, Bellamy, Bennett, Brown, Church, Cravens, Cullen, Hyatt, Lewis, Milligan, Noyes, Oyler, Parrish, Reagan, Reynolds, Robinson, Stein, Terry, Thompson, Ward, Wolcott and Mr. President - 22.
NAYS - Messrs. Bowman, English, Gifford, Hanna, Huey, Huffman, Mason, Newlin, Sherrod, Smith, Taggart and Turner - 12.
Mr. HANNA moved that the Committee on Federal Relations be excused for fifteen minutes with instructions to report back these resolutions at the end of that time.
Mr. OYLER (?) moved to lay this motion on the table.
Mr. BENNETT. I hope that motion will prevail, for it is treating them with contempt, and that is what I mean by my vote.
Mr. TURNER. Are the opposition afraid to-come to a square vote upon this question?
page: 450[View Page 450]The PRESIDENT. Debate is out of order.
The motion was laid on the table by yeas 20, nays 11 - present and not voting 2.
COURTESIES TO CLERKS AND OTHERS
On motion by Mr. CULLEN, it was -
Resolved, That the thanks of the Senate are hereby tendered to the secretaries of the Senate and their assistants, and the Doorkeeper and his employees for the faithful, impartial and courteous manner with which they have discharged the duties of their respective stations.
THE LAW LIBRARY.
On motion of Mr. OYLER, it was -
Resolved by the Senate, (the House concurring) That the Judges of the Supreme Court, are hereby authorized to remove the law library from the State House to any building that they may rent for the uses of said court and they shall have exclusive control of said library.
Mr. PARRISH and Mr. NOYES obtained leave to record their votes in the negative upon the passage of the Morgan raid resolution.]
CLOSING COMMITTEE REPORTS.
Mr. CULLEN, from the Committee on Printing, returned the bill [H. R. 331] without recommendation.
Mr. OYLER, from the Committee on Organization of Courts, returned sundry bills to the files of the Senate.
Mr. 0., for Mr. HOUGHTON, returned the bill [S. 145] with an adverse report thereon, and it was laid on the table.
Mr. STEIN, from the special committee thereon, returned a resolution authorizing the Secretary of the Senate to perform certain duties after the adjournment in connection with the journal, for which he may be allowed not to exceed $25, recommending its adoption. The report was concurred in.
On motion by Mr. THOMPSON, the House resolution, authorizing the sale of an old pile driver, near Broad Ripple, be longing to the State, was taken up and concurred in.
JOHN A. WILSTACH.
Mr. STEIN offered the following:
WHEREAS, On the 8th day of January, 1866, His Excellency, Conrad Baker, the acting Governor, now Governor, of the State of Indiana, in view of the expediency of securing a proper representation of the industrial and mechanical interests of the State at the Universal Exposition to be held at Paris during the present year, issued an appointment to John A. Wilstach, of Lafayette, as Commissioner for the encouragement of Emigration, which appoint, merit was made dependent upon future ratification by the General Assembly of the State ;
AND WHEREAS, The said John A. Wilstach since said date has been devoting himself to the duties of said appointment, and is now in Paris engaged in the labors incident thereto, and hence it becomes proper that said appointment should receive the sanction and authority of the Legislature of this State, therefore -
Be it resolved by the Senate, (the House of Representatives concurring therein,) That the appointment issued as aforesaid to the said John A. Wilstach by acting Governor (now Governor) Conrad Baker be and the same is hereby ratified and confirmed.
Mr. HANNA hoped it would not be passed. This irregular kind of legislation is always wrong.
Mr. STEIN replied to objections, and urged the passage of his resolutions. If we follow the suggestion of the Senator we would sit in opprobrious judgment upon this appointment of Governor Baker.
The resolution was adopted.
Mr. CUMBACK (Mr. Ovler in the chair) had just been in conversation with the Governor who would not be able to sign all the bills this forenoon. He therefore moved that the Senate take a recess till 2 1/2 o'clock.
The motion was agreed to.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
Mr. CRAVENS returned a couple of petitions remaining in the hands of the Committee on Corporations.
Mr. ENGLISH, from the Committee appointed to wait upon the Governor, reported that having performed that service, the Governor informed them he had no further communication to make to the General Assembly.
On motion of Mr. BENNETT it was -
Resolved, That the House of Representatives be informed that the Senate has completed the business before it, and is now ready to adjourn sine die.
WILL CUMBACK.
Mr. HANNA (Mr. Richmond in the chair) offered the following:
Resolved, That the most cordial thanks of the Senate are hereby tendered to Hon. Will Cumback for the ability, integrity and impartiality with which he has uniformly discharged his arduous labors as President of this body, that for the urbanity, harmony and prosperity of our deliberations we are greatly indebted to his deep sense of justice and his elevating reverence for principle.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. All in favor of the adoption of this resolution will please rise to their feet. - The resolution is adopted unanimously.
The PRESIDENT, resuming the chair, then spoke as follows:
Senators, Officers and Employees of the Senate:
The experience and observation of our lives have taught us all the sad truth that there can be no ties, however tender, or associations, however pleasant in this world, but that time will dissolve them.
Our time for separation has come, and I but do justice to my own feelings when I say that I will ever revert to this session of the Senate as one of the most delightful periods of my life. I beg to thank you all with an earnest and sincere heart for your cheerful obedience to the rulings of the Chair, and-for the general disposition to make my position, always one of great difficulty in the discharge of its delicate duties, as pleasant and comfortable as possi- page: 451[View Page 451] ble. Your uniform "kindness and courtesy to me, as your presiding officer, has you all such a warm place in my heart that the surging waves of care and toil in after life will never cause me to forget you, and in all your conflicts in life's great struggle, you will have my sympathies and my sincere wishes for your success.
The Senate did a just and honorable act this morning in rendering its unanimous thanks to our highly efficient officers and their employes. I have found them all to be faithful and prompt in the discharge of their duties, and to each of them I beg to add my personal thanks for their kindness to me, and to say to them as they go hence, my regards will follow them for their happiness and success.
I have no time, nor is this the proper occasion, to speak of the acts of this Legislature. It has been emphatically a working body, and since we have been a State there hes never been so much accomplished in any similar body in the same time. I hope what we have done may promote in a high degree the happiness and prosperity of the people, and they will do us the honor to approve our work, and give us a hearty welcome when we return to them.
I congratulate you Senators, that you have, by your uniform courtesy to each other, kept discord and ill feeling out of this chamber; and now that we are about to part, it is a most gratifying reflection that we all go hence friends and not enemies.
To those of you who have a loving wife and affectionate children who have been looking forward to this day with such bright anticipations of happiness in meeting you, I tender my congratulations that you are so near the realization of a happiness than which there is none sweeter on earth.
To those of you who are not thus fortunate, may I in this my parting word recommend that you at once make the needful arrangement for a similar reception when you return home hereafter? [Applause]
I beg to say that the complimentary resolution just adopted unanimously by a rising vote of the Senate, fills my heart with gratitude and pride, and in return for this and the many other acts of kindness I have received from you, my heart thanks you with far more earnestness than my tongue can tell. May Heaven's best gifts be yours in rich abundance, and may you ever receive from your fellow men the same kindness and courtesy that you have so manfully extended to each other and to myself. [Great applause.]
Mr. BENNETT. I move that the Senate adjourn sine die.
Mr. OYLER. I am inclined to think that this is not the usual course. An adjournment now is an adjournment of the General Assembly and not of the Senate alone. We had better wait till respond to our resolution that we are ready to adjourn sine die.
Mr. BENNETT. Our adjournment would not prevent their setting till twelve o'clock if they wanted to.
Mr. OYLER. I am aware of that, but a due regard to courtesy and propiety would admonish us to remain in session till we hear from them. I think it far preferable to have an understanding with them and adjourn simultaneously.
Mr. HANNA. I think the Senator from Johnsn [Mr. Oyler] is right. As a question of usage it is proper to hear a response from the House. I think we ought to wait for a message from the House.
Mr. BENNETT If Senators think there is anything in it I will withdraw the motion.
Mr. HANNA. There is nothing in it except a mere matter of courtesy.
The PRESIDENT. Perhaps it would be as well to send a resolution to the House -
Mr. BENNETT (interposing). That was done. We sent them a resolution that we were ready to adjourn sine die, and all we have got to do is to do that.
After waiting a few minutes -
Mr. HANNA said: Believing that we have remained in session a sufficient length of time since our last message was sent to the House, I now renew the motion of the Senator from Union [Mr. Bennett].
The PRESIDENT. Is there any objection? .......... I now pronounce the Senate of Indiana adjourned sine die.
So - at 3:35 o'clock p. m. - the Senate adjourned sine die.
I move that the Senate
