COMMON SCHOOLS.
Mr. Mellett, from the Committee on Education, returned his bill [H. R. 87] to amend the common school law, recommending its passage. He said it was introduced at the suggestion of the Superindent of Public Instruction, and it was simply making changes in the time of making the school enumeration and doing other school business. There was nothing in it but changing the dates. It was ordered to the engrossment.
Mr. Lenfesty, from the Committee on Federal Relations, to whom was referred the matter of ceding to the United State's the State's jurisdiction over certain lands in Evansville for the erection of public buildings, etc., reported thereon a bill [H. R. 416] granting the consent of the State of Indiana to the purchase by the United States of certain lands in Evansville for public buildings, which was passed to the second reading.
He also returned Mr. Wynn's bill [H. R. 369] to amend section 5 of the act of June 9, 1852, providing for the appointment of notaries public and defining their powers and duties - a majority of the committee recommending its passage. Mr. Troutman on the part of a minority of said committee - objecting to the provisions in said bill which authorize notaries public to solmnize marriages reported a recommendation that it be laid on the table.
The question being: Shall the report of the minority be substituted for the report of the majority? It was decided in the affmnative on a division - affirmative 43, negative 34; so the bill was laid on the table.
Mr. Troutman returned the bill [S. 82] to amend the ninth section of the act of May 20, 1852, to provide for the election of electors for President and Vice President of the United States, recommending its passage.
It was ordered to the third reading.
Mr. Billingsley, from the Committee on Printing, returned Mr. Reed's county boards proceedings publication bill [H. R. 379] with an amendment by way of substitute, viz: A bill [H. R. 417] to provide for the publication of allowances by the boards of County Commissioners. (The County Auditor to prepare abstracts of such allowances which shall be published for one week in some newspaper of the county - not to be construed to authorize the publication of information, papers, documents, or any other thing not essential to the proper understanding of the claim so allowed - the newspaper publisher's compensation shall not exceed five cents a line, and the printing shall be done with type not less than Brevier.)
The report was concurred in and the bill passed to the second reading.
On motion of Mr. Richardson, it was referred to the Committee on County and Township Business.
Mr. Woollen, from the select committee to whom was referred Mr. Mellett's bill [H. R. 551 to amend the common school act of March 6,1865, and add supplemental sections thereto, reported the same with amendments. Amendments adopted.
Mr. Wilson, of Ripley, proposed to amend by striking out the provision for the County Commissioners to elect the said County Superintendent, arid giving it into the hands of the township trustees, which was also adopted.
Bill ordered to be engrossed.
Pending the consideration of this bill, on motion of Mr. Woolen, there was a recess of ten minutes to admit of the introduction and acquaintance with members of the House of Representatives of the Hon. John A. L. Radcliff, a member of the House of Delegates of the State of Maryland.
Mr. North, from the joint standing committee on the State Library, to which was referred the resolution of the House for examination of said Library, reported the same back with amendment by way of substitute, viz: a concurrent resolution instructing the joint standing committee on the State Library to examine into the condition of the books, stationery and accounts of the State Library, and report by bill or otherwise. Adopted.
Mr. Kimball, from the select committee of five, to which was referred Mr. Pfrimmer's bill [H. R. 67], making an appropriation of $413,599 48 to pay the sufferers by the Morgan raid, reported the same back, with the recommendation of said committee that the bill do pass.
On motion by Mr. Branham, it was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
Mr. Cauthorn gave notice that on to-morrow or some future day of the session he will move to amend Rule 38 so as to admit of eight members of the Committee on Military Affairs, and he should do so for the purpose of adding the Major-General (Mr. Blocher) to that committee.
Mr. Kimball submitted a joint resolution of instruction to Indiana members of Congress in relation to the granting of aid to the James River and Kanawha Canal.
On motion of Mr. Hatch, it was referred to the Committee on Federal Relations.
The House then took a recess till two o'clock P. M.
