HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
MONDAY, January 27, 1873 - 2 o'clock p.m.Mr. Cobb, from the Committee on Claims, returned to the House his bill [H. R. 386] regulating legislative practice as to the allowance of claims against the State of Indiana, recommending its passage. It was ordered to be engrossed.
Mr. Hedrick, from the Committee on Rights and Privileges, returned Mr. Woodard's bill [H. R. 323] to provide for the payment to the township trustees, all moneys which may have been collected from said township for special purposes, with amendments (clerical) striking out these words, "by reason of being made by the trustees of such township," and "be imprisoned in the county jail not less than three nor more than six months," etc. The amendments were adopted and the bill ordered to the engrossment.
The Speaker announced the special order, viz: The Senate concurrent resolutions for the appointment of reporters, etc.; and the same was postponed and made the special order for tomorrow at two o'clock P. M.
Mr. Hedrick, from the Committee on Rights and Privileges, returned Mr. Willard's bill [H. R. 173] to protect the citizens of Indiana from empyricisim,recommending that it be laid on the table, which was concurred in.
Mr. Shirley returned Mr. Mellett's [H. R. 288] supplemental to the act to authorize the construction of plank, McAdam and gravel roads, approved May 12, 1852, recommending its passage It was ordered to the engrossment.
Mr. Woodard, from the joint select committee thereon, submitted a report on the needs of the office of Secretary of State. They find that the report of the just retiring Secretary has not too thoroughly set forth, the neglect of the files in that office, and that further delay about the proper care of them will result in the loss or damage of valuable papers. They find that there is defect either in the law prescribing or in the negligence in performing, what is required in that office, where there is much important clerical work that should be required to be done They find large numbers of deeds, patents, charters, etc., involving original titles and rights of property in that office which are now practically inaccessible for want of indexes. They find that by legislation there has been a constant accumulation of diversified duties in this office which the clerical force have been unable to discharge. They also find that while the General Assembly have been constantly enlarging the duties of Secretary of State, it has made no increase of the clerical force or fees of the office, but it has even stripped the office of a fair compensation. The report concludes by referring the General Assembly to recommendations of the Governor and the report of the Secretary of State thereon, and by reporting a bill carefully digested and properly guarded for remedy of the evils pointed out, asking for it immediate and generous attention and an early passage, viz.: A bill [H. R. 391] further to prescribe the duties of Secretary of State, and providing for necessary arrangements, and for clerks, and the expenses of his office, (it proposes to divide the office of Secretary of State into four bureaus, viz.: a bureau of patents, a bureau of public printing and stationery, a bureau of corporations, and a bureau of statistics, and shall not be allowed more than $1,200 a year for any clerk he may employ.) It was passed to the second reading.
NEW PROPOSITIONS.
The Speaker called the counties and districts for new propositions, which were severally read and referred to the committees named, by motion of the author.
Mr. Gregory introduced a bill [H. R. 392] to amend section 7 of the act of June 17, 1852, to provide for the settlement of decedents' estates (widows, etc., to have precedence in administration for intestates). Judiciary. Also, a bill [H. R. 393] to amend section 5 of the act of March 2, 1865, to discourage the keeping of useless and sheep killing dogs, etc., and to repeal the act of March 11, 1861, provided that this act shall not be construed to conflict with the act for the protection of sheep, approved June 15, 1852 Agriculture. He also presented a petition for Temperance.
Mr. Furnas, from the Committee on Agriculture, returned Mr. Hollingsworth's bill [H. R. 57] to prevent stock from running at large, and providing penalty($5 to $15$ - 3 for impounding and the expense of keeping, etc.) recommending its passage. It was ordered to the engrossment.
Mr. Thayer introduced a bill [H. R. 394] to prevent fraud in the purchase of stationery for the use of county officers, and repealing, etc. (Penalty for any county officer or agent receiving bonus or per cent on settlement of claim or purchase of stationery, $100 to $200, etc.) County and Township Business.
Mr. Teeter introduced a bill [H. R. 395] regulating the service of summons and publication of notice in civil actions. (To provide that parties may endorse on the complaint a waiver of notice, and it shall have the effect of service legally made when publication is required, etc.) Judiciary.
Mr. Peed introduced a bill [H. R. 396] to amend section 49 of the Act of May 17, 1852, to provide for the opening, vacating and changing of highways. (For private roads.) Roads and Highways.
Mr. Shirley introduced a bill [H. R. 397] relating to the fencing of railroads and maintaining cattle-guards thereon. (As partition fences, etc.) Railroads.
Mr. Woodard presented a petition for temperance.
Mr. Schmuck introduced a bill [H. R. 398] to amend the several general (special) acts in regard to county seats removal, so as to authorize county commissioners to convey neglected county real estate to the trustees of agricultural associations. He said the old county buildings in page: 85[View Page 85] the town of Rome, in Perry county, upon the removal of the county seat to Cannelton, in 1859, were offered to the trustees of an institution of learning, and that in their hands the property dwindled in value, and finally run down, and that it has been abandoned by them some six or seven years ago, all leaving the country but one - Mr. Shoemaker - and that the County Agricultural Association, under these circumstances took possession of the property and repaired it to the extent of $500, and now it was desirable to have this property conveyed to that association. This was the object of the bill, and on his motion it was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Mr. Crumpacker submitted a resolution (which was adopted) that the Committee on the Judiciary be instructed to inquire into the constitutional power of the Legislature to fix by law the fare of passengers and the rate of freight to be charged and collected by the several railroads now being operated in this State - discriminating between those operating under the general act and those under special acts, and report by bill at an early day; and that the Secretary of State be directed to furnish said committee with a statement showing the date of the organization and of the consolidation of all the railroads of the State.
Mr. Wilson, of Ripley, introduced a bill [H. R. 399] to divide the State into circuits for judicial purposes, fixing the time of holding courts therein; and abolishing the Court of Common Pleas, transferring its business to the Circuit Courts, and abolishing the office of Common Pleas District Attorney; which was read, and on his motion it was laid on the table and 500 copies thereof ordered to be printed.
Mr. Butts introduced a bill [H. R. 400] supplemental to the act of May 12, 1869, to authorize aid to the construction of railroads by counties and townships taking stock therein, etc. (Where such moneys can not be paid to the railroad by reason of the illegality under which said taxes may have been assessed or collected, or whenever hereafter such taxes may be illegally assessed or oollected,so that the money can not be paid by the County Treasurer, it shall be the duty of the County Treasurer to refund such moneys to the tax-payers from whom it was collected.) Railroads.
Mr. Butts introduced a bill [H. R. 401] for Commissioners for an Inebriate Asylum, defining their duties. (To hold office two yearsto inquire into the propriety of such legislation and report a bill.)
It was referred to the Committee on Reformatory Institutions.
Mr. Kimball, from the Committee on Ways and Means, returned Mr. Woollen's bill [H. R. 372] to amend the act of Jan. 25, 1873, appropriating $125,000 for the expenses of this session of the General Assembly, recommending its passage. He said the necessity of this amendment of the Legislative appropriation bill was in this, that the original act empowered the Secretary, Auditor and Treasurer of the State to do what by law should be referred to the State Librarian. The bill was ordered to the engrossment.
THE CALENDAR.
The road bill [S. 24] requiring Supervisors to settle on the last Saturday of September, was taken up, read, and referred to the Committee on County and Township Business.
The bill [S. 29] for the enlargement of the State House grounds. Public Buildings.
The bill [S. 88] to amend section 9 of the Presidential election act of May, 20, 1852, was read and referred to the Committee on Federal Relations.
The bill [S. 122] to legalize in certain cases and under certain conditions appropriations for railroad aid previous to May 12, 1869, and where such appropriations were not made according to law, was read and referred to the Judiciary Committee.
The House joint resolution to authorize the sale of certain property therein named (formerly belonging to the Governor's mansion) coming up, on motion of Mr. Richardson it was passed over informally.
Mr. Woollen asked and obtained unanimous consent that the number of members on the part of the House of Representatives of the Joint Special Committee to report amendments to the State Constitution, be made five instead of four. The said committee on the part of the House was subsequentlv made to consist of Messrs. Woollen, Walker, Wilson of Ripley, Willard and Wesner.
On motion of Mr. Kimball, his bill to regulate the recording of instruments and the effect thereof, was taken up and Referred to the Judiciary Committee.
The House then adjourned.
