AFTERNOON SESSION.
The Speaker announced the special order, viz: the consideration of Mr. Peed's concurrent resolution, from the Committee on Ways and Means to test the sense of the House as to the propriety of building a new State House at this time, directing the Committee on Public Buildings to report a bill therefor. Postponed.
UNITED STATES STANDARD WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.
The Speaker laid before the House a communication from the governor, transmitting certain papers from Congressman Coburn, with reference to United States standards of weights and measures, and a building for their reception and preservation, which was read by the clerk, page: 149[View Page 149] and referred to the Committee on Agriculture.
The Speaker next took up Mr. Miller's bill [H. R. 317] providing that certain notes and bills of exchange shall be void, and it was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
DEPUTY ASSESSORS.
The Speaker next took up the committee's substitute for Mr. Shirley's bill [H. R. 418] to amend section 270 of the assessment act of December 21, 1872the question being on the second reading.
Mr. Wynn proposed to amend the first section by striking out the two provisos and inserting: "Provided said deputies shall give bonds in the sum of $2,000 for the faithful discharge of their duties."Mr. Shirley saw not the necessity for the amendment, unless it were to destroy the bill. There were two objects of the bill: one to require the assessors to select their deputies from the elected appraisers in 1872, so far as they are qualified, and the other as to the compensation of the appraisers and their deputies, which it reduces from $5 a day, under the old law, to $4 for the assessors, and $3 a day for their deputies. Tabled.
Mr. Brett. I shall move to amend the bill by striking out all that portion which requires these appointments by the assessors. We might almost as well repeal the law itself as to meddle with its provisions in this way. As to the provision about compensation, that may be well enough; but that with regard to the appointment of deputies is impracticable. The gentleman says - so far as they are competent. That would be a very delicate question to settle by the assessor. If we amend the bill in this way, the object of the assessment act will be defeated. Better leave the matter of these appointments where they are - with the auditors and assessors. Such was the feeling in his county.
Mr. Givan moved that the bill be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
Mr. Mellett took the view of the gentleman from Morgan and Johnson, and supported the motion for reference, and the motion was agreed to - affirmative 49, negative not counted.
MINES AND MINING.
Mr. Baxter's resolution of yesterday, for the appointment of a standing committee on mines and mining, was taken up and adopted.
The Speaker announced the consideration of Mr. Riggs' charter amendment bill [H. R. 389] as the special order, but it was passed over informally on account of the absence cf its author. The Speaker took up Mr. Jones' bill [H. R. 316] to authorize township trustees to lay an additional school tax cf twenty-five cents on the $100 for the purpose of liquidating debts for school buildings, furniture and apparatus.
On motion of Mr. Jones, it was recommitted with instructions to amend so as to require the proposed tax to be supported by petition of the majority of freeholders.
The Speaker next announced the consideration of the joint resolution requiring the Secretary of State to cause 500 additional copies of the assessment act of December 21, 1872, to be printed and distributed throughout the State.
Mr. Walker opposed the proposition from the consideration that just the few railroad bills which have been ordered to be printed have cost the State some $1,500 for the limited number of copies which we ordered. If such is the cost of printing now he thought we ought to be careful about making these orders.
Mr. Brett concurred. He said also that the assessors will furnish to the tax payers in their blank lists the information as to everything which they require to know of the assessment act, both with regard to real and personal property. Not one in 10,000 of the voters of the State would read the tenth part of that act, if it were printed and sent to them.
Mr. Billingsley corroborated the statement of Mr. Walker with regard to the cost of the printing, and proposed to be prepared to furnish the House with the exact cost of the bill printing orders. The joint resolution was rejected - yeas 8, nays 68.
The Speaker next took up Mr. Stanley's bill [H. R. 380] to legalize the service of summonses execution and other processes of law issued by justices of the peace in incorporated cities and, towns to marshals thereof, and to legalize all acts under color thereof, and to protect such marshals, etc.
Mr. Stanley explained the provisions of the bill, and said it was a thing especially desired in his locality. It was finally passed the House of Representatives - yeas, 78; nays, 2.
Mr. Miller's bill [H. R. 455] to provide for township elections, was read the second time and referred to the Committee on County and Township Business.
WABASH AND ERIE CANAL,
Mr. Cobb, by unanimous consent, returned from the Committee on Canals the bill [S. 23] to authorize the Boards of County Commissioners to make appropriations (not exceeding $10,000) for canal repairs in any county where any canal runs through or touches along the border thereof, recommending its passage.
Mr. Hollingsworth, Mr. Cobb, Mr. Heller, and Mr. Cowgill supported the bill, and submitted local considerations in favor of its passage.
Mr. Gifford and Mr. Kimball suggested that it might be giving too large a discretion to the County Commissioners, and that it might involve responsibility for the payment of old canal debts.
Mr. Heller and Mr. Richardson showed that these appropriations could go only for the repairs of the canal.
Mr. Bowser. And it might relieve the State from any default as to its agreement with the State of Ohio, to keep up the canal within this State.
Mr. Eward said it could involve no interest except that which is connected with the canal trade.
Mr. Woodward took the view of Mr. Gifford, and Mr. Kirkpatrick, and moved to recommit the bill with instructions to so amend it, that, upon petition signed by a majority of the freeholders of any such county, the Commissioners may appropriate for such purpose any sum not exceeding $10,000. Tabled.
Mr. Furnas, at first inclined to support it, should now vote against the bill.
Mr. Anderson, said Cass County now ships 50,000 bushels of wheat per week upon which she realizes six cents per bushels more on account of the cheaper freight by the canal. This would amount to $30,000 annually as the total annual advantage from the item of wheat alone. But they would also realize something - the same advantage in proportion - in the canal transportation of corn, oats and salt. Passed; yeas 66; days, 18.
PROPOSED NEW STATE HOUSE.
On motion of Mr. Peed the House now returned to the consideration of the special order, viz.: His Ways and Means Committee's concurrent resolution, involving the propriety of building a new State House at this time, by requiring the Joint Committee on Public Buildings to report a bill for that purpose.
Mr. Peed submitted considerations like this: That if a new capitol building is to be erected within five or six years, the initiatory steps should be taken at this session.
Mr. Lenfesty was decidedlv opposed to any movement in that direction, so long as the State felt itself too poor to furnish an additional asylum for the incurably insane. The people are demanding that these unfortunates should be cared for: the session was drawing to a close, whilst this demand was pressed upon us with page: 150[View Page 150] the knowledge that many of these unfortunates were locked in the county jails for the want of a better home.
Mr. Walker spoke in favor of the d ption of the resolution, and Mr. Glasgow opposed it.
Mr. Peed demanded the yeas and nays, which being taken resulted - yeas, 39; nays, 41.
So the concurrent resolution was rejected.
On motion of Mr. Willard, the Senate amendment to his Second District Court bill [H. R. 361], viz: "declaring an emergency," was taken up and concurred in.
The Speaker next took up Mr. Cobb's bill [H. R. 217], to amend the act of February 12, 1852, concerning promissory notes, and declaring an emergency - there being a majority and minority report thereon - the former to lay the bill on the table and the latter recommending its passage; the question being on the adoption of the report of the minority of the committee, it was rejected, and then the report of the majority was concurred in and the bill laid on the table; yeas 48, nays 21.
The Speaker next took up Mr. Woodward's bill [H. R. 323], providing for the payment of the township trustees all moneys which may have been collected from the township for specific purposes, and providing penalty for the violation of this act, it being on the third reading.
Mr. Billingslyy called attention to the severe penalty - $500 to $1,000 - the law now requires such moneys to be paid to the trustees at the proper time, but this bill requires them to be paid on demand of the trustees.
Mr. Walker referred to a bill of this title that was vetoed by Gov. Baker.
Mr. Woodard. The objections in the veto are removed in this bill; and so far as the penalty is concerned, the man acting under the sanctity and solemnity of an official oath ought to suffer for the violation of it. Rejected - yeas 8, nays 66.
On motion of Mr. Edwards of Lawrence, the bill [S. 15] to authorize cities and towns to negotiate and sell bonds ($40,000) to procure means with which to erect or complete unfinished buildings, and purchase of grounds and buildings for school purposes; and for the payment of principal and interest of such bonds; and legalizing such contracts heretofore entered into, and declaring an emergency, was taken up on the third reading.
Mr. Edwards, of Lawrence, represented that this bill is intended simply to legalize the title of the act of 1869, which, as an amendment of the act of 1867, improperly sets forth the title thereof. It simply amends the second title, and so authorizes persons outside transferred to cities or towns for school purposes to enjoy the benefits of such schools.
Mr. Henderson said his amendment to the bill, which was adopted by the House, makes the maximum of such loans $50,000, instead of $40,000.
The Speaker. The amendment will be engrossed; but the bill is without an enacting clause. It will be passed over informally.
Mr. Bowser, by unanimous consent, returned from the Committee on Railroads the bill [S. 10] to amend section 58 of the city corporators act of March 14, 1869, recommending its passage. It was ordered to the third reading.
NEW PROPOSITIONS.
Mr. Kimball introduced a bill [H. R. 473] for the incorporation of companies formed for the purpose of constructing railroads, bridge or road way across any river or stream forming a boundary line of the State.
Mr. Dial submitted a resolution, which was adopted, instructing the Committee on Insurance to report back to the House Mr. Kimball's insurance bill.
Messrs. Scott and Riggs obtained leave of absence, the former till Monday and the latter till Friday.
Mr. Baker introduced a bill [H. R. 474] to amend section 1 of the act for the incorporation of building, loan, fund and savings associations, approved March 7, 1857. (It provides for reducing the number of the corporators from fifty to twenty-five.) Corporations.
Mr. Woodard introduced a bill [H. R. 475] to authorize costs in all judgments for the plaintiff in all suits presented by citizens against railroad companies. (The judgment shall include a reasonable fee for the plaintiff's attorney.) Rights and Privileges.
Mr. Shirley introduced a bill [H. R. 476] relating to prosecutions by affidavit and information. (Hereafter prosecutions in the Circuit Court in all criminal cases may be made by affidavit and information, as well as by presentment and indictment.) Adjourned.
