HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
The house met at 9 o'clock A.M., and the reading of the Journal having been ordered, etc -
STANDING COMMITTEES.
The SPEAKER announced the following standing committees:
On Education - Messrs. Osborn, Ratliff, Tabor, Zollars, Stewart of Ohio, and Davis of Floyd
On Swamp Lands - Messrs Lamborn, Sao[ ], Britton, Wile, Addison, Beatty, and Johnson of Montgomery
On Military Affairs - Messrs Johnson of Marshall, Pierce of Porter, Dittemore, Vater, Davis of Elkhart, Verdeman, and Lawler.
On Claims - Messrs. Sabin, Monroe, Zenor, Williams of Knox, Wildman, Higgins and Tebbs.
On Trust Fund - Messrs. Ratliff, Jump, McDonald, Bowen, Higbee, Barritt, and Lawler
On Fees and Salaries - Messrs. Gordon, Wilson, Skidmore, Underwood, Mitchell, Shoaff, and McGregor.
On Sinking Fund - Messrs. Hampton, Wilson, Logan, Williams of Hamilton, Taber, Smith, Cox, and Admire.
On Rights and Privileges - Messrs. Furnas, Wilson, Calvert, Breckinridge, Fairchild, Carnahan, and Hutchings.
On Railroads - Messrs Stewart of Rush, Barritt of Monroe, Williams of Knox, Gilham, Coffroth, and Long.
On Manufactures and Commerce - Messrs. Skidmore, Williams of Hamilton, Cunningham, Davis of Elkhart, Davidson, Calvert, and Admire.
On County and Township Business - Messrs. Mason, Higbee, Cunningham, Sabin, Fairchild, Britton and Hyatt.
On Agriculture - Messrs Smith, Higgins, Sunman, Furnas, Mason, Williams of Knox, and Miner
On Benevolent and Scientific Institutions - Messrs. Pierce of Porter, Chittenden, Welborn, Field of Lagrange, Jump, Pierce of Vigo, and McBride
On Temperance - Messrs. Chapman, Hall, Miner, Dittemore, Dunn, Furnas, and Tebbs.
PETITIONS
Mr. LOGAN, Mr. GORDON, and Mr. HIGBEE presented petitions on temperance.
Mr. KERCHEVAL, for relief of E Snyder
Mr. TEBBS, a claim.
REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES.
Mr. PIERCE, of Porter, from the Committee on Benevolent Institutions, returned the bill No. 163, with clerical amendments.
Mr. HUTCHINGS from the special committee thereon, returned the bill [S. 292] to transfer Brown county from the First to the Second Judicial Circuit, recommending its indefinite postponement.
Mr. LONG, for the minority of said committee, moved that the report be not concurred in.
Mr WILSON supported the motion to [non?] concur.
Mr OVERMYER, seeing a political influence in this effort to suppress the Senate bill, hoped the report would not be concurred in.
Mr. BARRITT said the committee were unanimous in this report - excepting only Mr Long. The bill gave too much labor to Judge Bicknell.
Mr. STEWART, of Rush, said that this Senate bill 292 is so connected the bill [S 290] that they should both be passed together. The passage of these bills was more than a matter of convenience - it was a matter of necessity.
Mr. JOHNSON, of Parke, moved to refer the report to the Committee on the organization of Courts.
page: 65[View Page 65]Mr. BARRETT made an ineffectual motion to lay the motion on the table.
Mr. JOHNSON then withdrew his motion.
Mr. McFADIN took the general position that this master belongs to the Committee on the organization of Courts. We might as well undertake here to form new Representative districts as to be creating new Judicial Districts or tampering with old ones.
Mr ZENOR considered that to pass this bill would be to do injustice to Judge Bicknell, of his district, even if he has himself consented to it This judge has already as much to do as any judge in the State
Mr. LONG replied that the bill would work no injury or injustice to the Second Circuit Judge Bicknell having consented - the wish and will of the people of Brown county ought alone to be consulted
Mr. BATES gave the reasons which guided the committee in making the report
Mr WILLIAMS, of Knox, saw in this bill a step preliminary to the creation of a new Criminal Circuit. Those who represent the interests of the tax payers should look to these things.
Mr. OVERMYER demanded the previous question, and, under its pressure, the report was rejected - affirmative 46, negative 35.
Mr. LONG moved to suspend the constitutional restriction so as to admit of the passage of bill S 292 today.
Mr STEWART, of Rush, moved that bill [S. 290] also have the benefit of the proposed dispensation.
Mr LONG accepted
Messrs. ZENOR, WILDMAN and OSBORN desired to include other bills
Mr. CORY opposed, and Mr LONG withdraw his motion, and the bill S. 292 goes to the files.
NEW BILLS FOR ACTS
were submitted, read and approved as follows:
Mr. BEATTY - [H. R. 323], defining when the resignation of members of the General Assembly shall take effect [when their successors are elected and qualified]
Mr. BEELER - [H R 324] to provide for the location of a site for State College of Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts [Commissioners appointed by the Governor to determine the site, and may receive donations - none less in value than $130 00 to report to the next session of the General Assembly To receive no compensation for services except traveling expenses]
Mr. BOB - [H R 325] to provide for the selection of county [ ], and the erection of public buildings in case of uch relocation, &c [When two-thirds of the taxpayers shall petition - procure the conveyance of two acres for the Court House, and one-fourth of an acre for the jail &c]
Mr BOWEN - [H. R. 326] to compel witnesses before grand juries
Mr. BRITTON - [H. R. 327] to amend section twenty-one of the Highway act of June 17 1852
Mr BRECKINRIDGE (by request) - [H R 328] to provide for the registration of births, marriages and deaths.
Mr CARNAHAN - [H R 329] to amend sections 7 and 49 of the act for the settlement of decedents' estates etc.
Mr COFFROTH - [H R 330] to abolish the office of City Asessor and Appraiser and transfer the duties thereof to the City Treasurer, and providing for the manner, etc.
Mr. CALVERT (for Mr. Welborn) - [H. R. 331] authorizing the State of Indiana to demand a change of venue in all criminal cases in which the judge may have expressed an opinion in the case, (in favor of the defense) etc.
Mr. CORY - [H. R. 332] to fix the time of holding Common Pleas in the 22d District.
On the motion of Mr. GILHAM, the constitutional restriction was suspended for the purpose, and this bill was carried to the final reading and passage - yeas, 79; nays, 0.
THOMAS C M'COUN - DOORKEEPER
Mr. OVERMYER submitted the following:
WHEREAS, Certain reports are now notorious among the members of the House, charging the present Doorkeeper of this House, Thus, C McCoun with corruption in office;
And whereas, written statements charging corrupt on upon the aforesaid McCoun signed by responsible parties making the charges, have been presented to the members of his body and are no in the possession of a member: therefor -
Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed by the Speaker to investigate said charges, and report as soon as possible to this House; that said committee shall have power to send for persons and papers, and all powers necessary to conduct the investigation Provided that the charges against the said McCoun shall be set forth in full before the committee and signed by responsible persons before any evidence shall be heard and that the accused shall have due notice and a fair hearing before the committee.
Mr COFFROTH said Mr McCoun was a neighbor of his, and a man of integrity and honor, though differing with him in politics. He did not believe any such stuff; and would first like to know something [ ] of these charges.
Mr. OVERMYER felt it to be his duty to introduce the resolution, and was ready to read the statements and signatures at attached on which it was passed.
page: 66[View Page 66]Mr. COFFROTH Did they come from persons who have been in the employ of the Doorkeeper?
Mr. OVERMEYER One of them was a discharged official under him; the others were from men who have not been in the employ of the House.
Mr COFFROTH But probably have been refused places by the Doorkeeper And after hearing from Mr Osborn, chair man of the Committee on Employes, he moved that the resolution be referred to that committee
Mr. MCFADIN would like to have the name of the Assistant Doorkeeper, Mr Samuel Brown, included in the resolution with reference to the loss of certain documents intrusted to him.
Mr RATLIFF Mr Brown is no longer an officer of the House
Mr MCFADIN Then he could not insist
The resolution was referred to the Committee on Employes, and Mr. Overmeyer was added to that committee
ORDERS OF THE DAY
The Senate's disagreement to the House amendment to the bill [S. 90] to amend the thirty-fourth subdivision of section 53 of the general cities corporation act of March 4, 1867 coming up -
Mr. PIERCE of Porter, said it would be remembered that this bill has a local reference to the harbor at Michigan City, and the House amendment which was introduced by the gentleman from Putnam has respect to cities generally. He would therefore, move that the House recede from its amendment
The motion was agreed to, and it was ordered that the Clerk acquaint the Senate thereof
Bills from the Senate numbered 50, 83 and 131 were severally read the second time.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Mr. Hibee's Railroad bill [H. R. 154] which was yesterday laid on the table was now taken up on Mr Bobo's motion to reconsider that vote.
Mr. BOBO explained and defended the provisions of the bill, and gave examples of its advantages and acceptability as a general law The bill provides that, on the petition of three fifths of the tax paying voters the County Board may levy a tax not exceeding 3 per cent for any one year and which in all shall not exceed six per cent, on each $100 worth of taxable property for said purpose. His country and others had petitioned for such a law. His object in the motion to reconsider, was that the bill might go again to some committee that such amendments might be offered as might be acceptable to the House.
The vote was reconsidered, and the bill was referred to a special committee of five.
Mr. GILHAM moved that the following be also referred to said special committee:
Resolved, That all donations and appropriations heretofore made by County Boards be and the same are hereby legalized.
The motion was agreed to.
THE CALENDAR.
Mr. BOWEN's road toll gate exemptions bill [H. S 128] was taken up, read the second time and ordered to the engrossment
The House then took a recess until 2 o'clock.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
After several similar ineffectual motions -
Mr. McFADIN moved that when the House adjourn Saturday, it shall be till Tuesday at 9 o'clock
Mr VATER proposed ineffectually, to make it from Friday evening till Monday at 2 o'clock
Mr McFadin's order was then adopted.
THE CALENDAR.
Mr. Welborn's bill [H. R. 95] for relief of John Ingle and John Ingle, Jr., was ordered to the engrossment
Mr McDonald's special court term bill [H. R. 175] was read the second time with committee amendments.
Mr NEFF moved to lay the bill on the table; but withheld the motion.
Mr COFFROTH thought the principle of the bill would work well when the docket is heavy.
On motion of Mr NEFF it was referred on the Judiciary Committee.
Mr Pierce, of Vigo's dog bill [H. R. 211] was taken up, with the unfavorable committee report thereon. The report was non concurred in, and the bill was ordered to be engrossed
Mr. JOHNSON, of Porter's bill (H R 117) to correct a misprint in the 16th Section of the contested elections act of May 6, 1852 and to provide relief in cases of con[es s?] erroneously commended by reason of the misprint of said 16th Section, and to provide for taking depositions in all cases of contests for circuit and district offices coming up -
Mr. COFFROTH, thinking the matter sufficiently clear, moved the indefinite postponement of the bill
Mr GORDON liked the provisions authorizing the taking of depositions
Mr PIERCE of Vigo, suggested that the author the Senator from Parke, (Mr. Johnson), is not in his place, and he moved that it be referred to the Committee on Elections.
page: 67[View Page 67]The motion was agreed to.
Mr. Hudsons Felony bill [H. R. 198] was ordered to the engrossment.
Mr. Gilham's Valuation and Assessments by [H. R. 158] coming up -
Mr. COFFROTH said the bill was for a remedy against the practice of sham sales of property for United States bonds to avoid tax assessments.
It was ordered to the engrossment.
Mr. McGregor's joint resolution No. 3 for the taxation of United States bonds was Committee on Federal Relations
Mr Coffroth's bill [H. R. 186] for proceedings supplementary to executions in courts of Justices of the Peace, was read the second time
It was ordered to be engrossed.
Mr. Palmer's Evidence bill [H. R 104] amending section 397 of the Practice act, was ordered to the engrossment.
Mr. Shoemaker's Tax List bill [H R 243] coming up, with the recommendation of the Committee on County and Township Business -
Mr SHOEMAKERS explained that the object of the bill to change the time of assessments for taxes from the first of January to the first of March, and he stated it's advantages o farmers &c.
Mr RATLIFF and Mr HIGBEE were unfavorable to the proposed change
Mr MONROE said he would be glad for such a change to the law as to require taxes to be assessed and paid in the same year, the he failed to see the need of this bill.
The House refused to order the engrossment - 18 to 35 - no quorum But the order was [?] used - yeas 28, nays 45
Mr CORY asked, but failed to obtain leave to introduce an appropriation bill to defrary the expenses of the present session of the General Assembly
Mr. Shoemaker's Cancelled County Orders Preservation bill [H. R. 213] was ordered to be engrossment.
Mr. Zenor's One Dog Exemption bill [H. R. 224] was read the second time.
Mr BEELER desired to gain all the revenue we may from dogs that people will keep, and not encourage keeping more
Mr ADMIRE moved for a tax of $5 on each additional dog, which was laid on the table.
Mr. OSBORN would rather encourage the protection of sheep than encourage the keeping of dogs
Mr McFADIN spoke in favor of the bill, thinking that the bill of the gentleman from Vigo, keeping dogs at home in the right time, would be sufficient security against dog depredations.
Mr DAVIDSON spoke against the bill He referred to the State Agricultural Reports for a statement, that the destruction of sheep by dogs in a single year amounted to fifteen millions of dollars. He preferred to let the law remain without change. If any change was made, he would prefer, after the tax of one dollar for the first dog, a tax of five dollar for the second &c.
Mr FURNAS thought the bill would encourage dog keeping. The dog revenue in Hendricks county amounts to $2 000 a year, which is nearly all expended in paying daying damages for the destruction of sheep by the dogs.
Mr BRITTON proposed to amend the bill by taxing the first dog $5, and taxing $10 for each additional dog.
Mr CUNNINGHAM made a speech more favorable to the dog, and seemed to be in favor of taxing dogs as other property - ad valorem.
Mr Britton's amendment was rejected. The bill failed on the engrossment - yeas 30 nays 53
On motion of Mr. STANTON the order business was suspended in order to hear a report from The Committee on Claims
Mr Sabin, from the Claims Committee, reported for the allowance of sundry claims, for printing, clerk fees and stationary expenses incurred on account of the Morgan raid investigations
On motion of Mr COFFROTH, the report was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
DISCHARGED EMPLOYES.
Mr. ORSBORN (by consent) submitted be following:
Resolved, That the employee of the last House who have been on duty under the direction of the Clerk, Assistant clerk and Doorkeeper, be entitled to their pay to the time of their discharge, upon the certificate of the officer who appointed them.
The resolution was adopted.
EXPENSES OF THE 47TH SESSION.
Mr. CORY now asked and obtained leave to introduce a bill [H. R. 353] appropriating forty thousand dollars to pay the expenses of the Forty seventh Session of the General Assembly, which was read the first time.
Mr. CORY moved that it be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, with instructions to report it back tomorrow.
Mr. OSBORN proposed to amend the motion by striking out the instructions, thinking that there is no need of hurry in this matter.
Mr. CORY said his object here was business, and he considered that we should not allow these essential measures to go into the hands of committees to sleep there. He understood that some gentleman are determined that these essential bills shall not be passed in a certain contingency.
Mr. OSBORN had no concealments page: 68[View Page 68] Some gentlemen here were threatening to resign again, and boast that they have their resignations written in their pockets He wanted this: to go on with legislation, and at the proper time make these appropriations, but there was no emergency calling for immediate action upon them, unless it were to accommodate those resigning gentlemen. It was unreasonable to Bend instructions to the Committee to report this bill to morrow morning, who are already instructed to consider the specific bill to night. And he did not propose to hurry this matter of paying those gentlemen who seem almost desirous of an occasion to resign.
Mr COTTON said he should be very glad to be in the condition of a paid member whenever it might become necessary for him to resign. But he was not in that situation when he resigned last March, and he had not got his pay yet
Mr. Osborn's amendment was rejected yeas 43, nays 44 and then the bill was referred with Mr, Cory's instructions.
BLACKFORD'S REPORTS.
Mr Osborn's Blackford's Reports bill [H R 61] was taken up on the second reading with the pending committee's amendments, author sing the Secretary of State to purchase 450 copies of the reports of Callaghan & Cockcroft, requiring annotations and stereotype, marking and distribution.
After debate by Messrs, Stewart, of Rush, Coffroth and others
Mr, RUDDELL proposed to amend by inserting "Merrill $ Co " in the place of "Callaghan & Cockcroft" wherever the latter occurs in the bill-stating that Merrill & Co , are willing to publish on the same terms submitted by the Chicago house. Pending which, after further debate by Messrs. Pierce, of Porter, Dunn, and others.
The House adjourned.
