AFTERNOON SESSION.
Mr. Heller's bill [H. R. 236] to provide for taking the sense of the qualified voters of the State on the question of calling a convention to alter or amend the Constitution of the State(on the second Tuesday of October, 1874)was taken up on the third reading. Mr. Heller said all the costs of the proposed election would be the small amount of additional stationery which would be required to record the vote; and it would in no way interfere with proposition to amend the Constitution. Whilst he was opposed to the call of a convention, it was proper to hear the voice of the people on the question. The bill was finally passed the House of Representatives yeas 52, nays 29.
ROAD VIEWERS.
Mr. Billingsley's bill [H. R. 266] to amend sections 16 and 47 of the act to provide for the opening, vacating and changing of highways - coming up in order on the third reading - Mr. Billingsley said: The only change this bill makes in the present law is first, as to the compensation of the viewers. The old law allows one dollar a day - this bill proposes two dollars. The old law provides that the viewers shall meet at the time fixed by the court - this bill proposes to give them power to meet and adjourn from day to day upon their own appointment. The bill was finally passed the House of Representatives. Yeas 70, nays 9.
Mr. Thayer's bill [H. R. 289] to amend sections one and four of the act to authorize county recorders to make and maintain indexes of deeds and mortgages, etc., was taken up in order on the third reading. Mr. Thayer said this bill was introduced at the suggestion of his county recorder. It simply requires the recorder to fill blanks which are prepared in all county auditor's books, under the headings "kind of deed" and ''amount of consideration,'' and allowing him the usual compensation for such work.
Mr. Brett suggested that it is not good policy to introduce bills here at the suggestion of county officers, because there are too many of them ready to get up jobs for themselves.
Mr. Lenfesty. The law contemplates it as the duty of the Recorder to make and keep these indexes. It is so done by the Recorder of Grant county without any additional cost.
Mr. Schmuck said the County Commissioners may require these indexes. Several years ago, when he was Recorder for Perry county, there was no such index of deeds and mortgages in his office; and, on the petition of those interested, the Commissioners made an order for the index, which he himself made out and got his pay for it.
The bill was rejected - yeas 22, nays 53.
HENDRICKS AND MARION COURTS.
Mr. Ogden's bill [H. R. 310] to fix the time of common pleas in the twenty-fourth district, and his bill [H. R. 311] to fix the time for holding court in the twenty-fourth Judicial Circuit (affecting the counties of Marion and Hendricks) were page: 131[View Page 131] taken up and successively passed the final reading in the House of Representatives - yeas, 72; nays, 1.
REFORMATORY INSTITUTIONS.
Mr. Branham asked and obtained unanimous consent for the purpose, and submitted a joint resolution. Declaratory of the meaning of the first section of the act of February 3, 1873, supplemental to an act to establish a reformatory institution for girls and women, providing for the organization and government thereof, and making an appropriation therefor, approved May 13, 1869. (Said appropriation was intended to be applied to the payment of all just debts contracted for the erection of said building.) It was passed on the part of the House of Representatives - yeas, 69; nays, 2.
Mr. Schmuck asked and obtained consent for the purpose, and introduced a bill [H. R. 444] relating to the sale and conveyance of property heretofore occupied as a jail and for a court house in Perry county. He desired to offer this bill in lieu of his bill [H. R. 319] which was returned by the Judiciary Committee, with objections simply as to the title. Our County Agricultural Society desire to have possession of this neglected property. On his motion, therefore, (the restrictions being removed for the purpose) the bill was advanced and finally passed the House of Representatives - yeas 72, nays 1.
On motion of Mr. Brett, the order of business was suspended, and the House took up the consideration of the bill [S. 168] supplemental to an act in relation to the organization of the two Houses of the General Assembly, prescribing the number of employes, etc. He then submitted an amendment to the bill striking out all after the enacting clause, including the engrossed amendments heretofore adopted by the House, and inserting new matter; and then, on his further motion, the bill and proposed amendment were referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
EMBEZZLEMENT.
Mr. Miller's bill [H. R. 329] defining the crime of embezzlement by certain officers and prescribing the punishment therfor, was taken up in order on the third reading. (Any county or municipal officer who shall take or unlawfully appropriate to his own use any money or thing which mav have come into his charge by virtue of his office, and refuse to account for or pay over such money or property, shall be deemed guilty of embezzlement, fined not exceeding double the value of the amount embezzled, and imprisoned not exceeding two years. Mr. M. said it was to supply an emission in the statutes defining the crime of embezzlement. The only law on the subject was passed March 5, 1855, intending to compel persons having money in their possession belonging to another to pay it over, and the law of December 21,1865, defining the crime of embezzlement on the part of bankers. The courts decide that the act of 1865 does not apply to county and municipal officers of the State. This bill is intended simply to aptly to all officials the same provisions of law hat now apply to the President and directors of banking associations.
The bill was finally passed by the House of Representatives - yeas, 71; nays, 0.
ROADS.
The House took, up the consideration of the bill supplemental to the act authorizing the construction of plank, macadamized and gravel roads, approved May 12, 1852 - the question being on the third and last reading.
Mr. Ogden said it provides that where parties purchase a gravel road sold on execution they may organize as a road company by going through the same processes and subjecting themselves to the same liabilities that are required in the organization of gravel road companies under the general law. The bill was rejected - yeas, 24; nays, 49.
CLAIMS.
Mr. Cobb's bill, [H. R. 368], regulating legislative practice as to the allowance of claims against the State of Indiana, was taken up in order on the third reading.
Mr. Cobb. From service in the Committee on Claims he had observed that this business had been loosely conducted. He had found there no record book of claims that had been heretofore presented to the Legislature. Such books have been kept, but they have been taken home by the clerks. This record ought to be kept to enable the successive committees to keep out the practice which has grown up of repeating claims until they are finally allowed - some claims which, perhaps, if all the facts were known, would not be allowed. The injustice ought to be regulated by legislative action, and in this bill it is proposed to make a start by requiring the Committee on Claims to keep a record of what they do - what claims are recommended and paid, and what rejected; so that those who may come after us, if they want to allow claims which we have rejected, they may do it with their eyes open.
The bill was finally passed the House of Representatives. Yeas, 70; nays, 1.
SCHOOL FUND.
Mr. Branham's bill [H. R. 354] to consolidate certain mortgage loans, mortgage forfeitures, bills receivable and other debts and accounts now due to the school fund into one non-negotiable bond, and making provisions in relation thereto, was taken up in order on the third reading. (The bill proposes that the State take these outstanding claims of the school fund and execute therefor one non-negotiable bond for $176,513 43, bearing six per cent interest.)
Mr. Branham said this bill was reported from the Committee on the Sinking Fund, in accordance with recommendations of the Governor on that subject. The object is to close up these outstanding claims and place them where they belong. The bill also abolishes the Board of Sinking Fund Commissioners. I think there can be no objection to its passage.
The bill was finally passed the House of Representatives - yeas 68, nays 0.
Mr. Woolflin submitted a resolution which was adopted, that the Speaker be authorized to issue his warrant for the per diem of the members of the joint special committee on redistricting the State for judicial purposes.
On motion of Mr. Furnas, his bill [H. R. 312] to prescribe an official oath or affirmation, and a cause of removal and a manner of removal from office of any person holding office in this State, was taken up, and it was ordered to the engrossment.
The House then adjourned.
