MORNING SESSION.
The President pro tem. announced prayers by Rev. J. C. Smith, of the M. E. Church, in which he mentioned particularly the subject of temperance.
The reading of yesterday's journal was dispensed with.
PETITIONS AND MEMORIALS.
Mr. Cave presented a petition from citizens of Pike county on the subject of Temperance. Also petitions from Pike, Martin and Dubois counties praying for the abolition of Common Pleas Courts.
Mr. Neff presented petitions on the subject of temperance.
Mr. Scott presented a similar petition from citizens of Vigo county.
The President pro tem. presented a petition from Anton Sontag, a citizen of Louisiana and a native of the South Slavic country, looking to Federal aid for the establishment of a line of steamers for emigrants from that country.
These petitions were referred to the appropriate committees without reading.
Mr. Dwiggins, as it was apparent there was no quorum present, moved ineffectually for a suspension of the regular order that new bills might be introduced.
On motion by Mr. Daggy, it was ordered that when the Senate adjourns, it adjourns till Monday at two o'clock P. M.
REPORTS OF COMMITEES.
Mr. Sarnighausen, from the Committee on Rights and Privileges, returned the bill [S. 297], making it unlawful for minors to loaf about places where intoxicating liquors are kept for sale, with a favorable report.
This report was concurred in.
He also returned Mr. Thompson's bill [S. 136], relating to division walls and digging cellars in cities and towns, with a recommendation that it be indefinitely postponed.
On motion by Mr. Sleeth, the report was amended so that the bill shall lie on the table.
Mr. Sarnighausen, from the same committee, returned Mr. Gregg's bill [S. 256] to prohibit certain officers from using free railroad passes, with a favorable report thereon.
He also returned Mr. Oliver's bill [S. 235] to charter the N. W. Synod of the Reformed Church, with a recommendation that it be indefinitely postponed.
He also returned the bill [S. 250] to amend section 60 of the city incorporation law, with a recommendation that it pass.
These reports were severally concurred in.
Mr. Hough, from the same Committee, returned Mr. Gregg's bill [S. 279] to regulate the stooping of passenger trains in incorporated cities, with recommendation that it lie on the table.
Mr. Gregg explained that the bill simply provides that all passenger trains must stop at their regular places for taking on passengers in all incorporated cities. He moved that the report be so amended as to recommend the passage of the bill.
Mr. Hough sustained the conclusions of the committee not to interfere with the running of through or lightning trains, as they are called.
Mr. Neff thought the bill does not go as far as it ought. He saw no reason for discrimination between cities and incorporated towns - especially ought trains to stop at all places where the mails are put on and off the trains.
Mr. Gregg was willing that the bill should be so amended. Our first duty is to accommodate our own people.
Mr. Harney believed such a bill would effectually stop the running of fast trains. Citizens of Indiana frequently want to travel east and west, and if other States were to reduce all trains to accommodation time, no through lightning trains will be run.
Mr. Steele reminded the Senators that commerce demands that fast trains shall be run over railroads to carry through travel, and he thought this matter is as well regulated now as it can be. The committee acted wisely in its recommendation.
The motion to amend the report was rejected.
The committee report was concurred in.
Mr. Hough, from theCommittee on Rights and Privileges, returned the bill [H. R. 314] to prevent careless riding or driving, with a recommendation that it be indefinitely postponed.
page: 168[View Page 168]He also returned Mr. Neff's bill [S. 19] amending the divorce law with a similar report.
Mr. Dwiggins, from the Committee on Corporations, returned the bill [S. 306] providing for the organization of companies to build towns, with a favorable report thereon.
He also returned Mr. Taylor's bill [S. 242] to amend sections 57 and 58 of the city incorporation law, with amendments to section 7.These reports were severally concurred in.
He also returned Mr. Neff's bill [S. 267] requiring license for certain purposes, menageries, etc., with amendments striking out section 2, etc.
Mr. Neff opposed striking out the section 2, proposing to license stock and exchange brokers, as it was intended to require a license of irregular dealers in promissory notes, etc., and not to affect regular banking houses.
Mr. Dwiggins explained that the committee were of opinion that this section would apply to banks, and it was struck out at the suggestion of the author of the bill.
The report was concurred in.
Mr. Dwiggins returned the bill [S. 229] providing for the distribution of the proceeds of sale of school property in cities of 30,000 inhabitants and over, with a favorable report.
He also returned the bill [S. 305] to incorporate trustees selected by any religious society for beneficial or charitable purposes, with amendments.
Mr. Dittemore, from the Judiciary Committee, returned Mr. Gooding's bill [S. 275] granting the consent of Indiana to the purchase of lands by the United States for Postoffice and Custom House building purposes with amendments, so as to include lands for hospitals.
These reports were concurred in.
Mr, Daggy, from a majority of the same committee, returned Mr. O'Brien's bill [S. 229] to legalize acts of trustees of Cicero, Hamilton county.
Mr. Boone, from the majority of the same committee, reported unfavorably upon this bill, because it is a curative statute, and special in its operations; and because the citizens of the town are divided on the question as shown by the petitions and remonstrances before the committee; and because it would be a precedent for the reference to the Legislature of the settlement of such matters that ought to be left to the courts.
On motion bv Mr. Dwiggins these reports were laid on the table till Mr. O'Brien, the Senator for Hamilton county, shall appear in his seat.
Mr. Boone, from the Judiciary Committee, returned the bill [S. 293] concerning the Attorney General, with amendments.
Mr. Daggy, from the Judiciary Committee, returned Mr. Thompson's bill [S. 276] concerning felonies, with favorable report.
Mr. Boone, from the same committee, returned the bill [S. 289] to fix the salary of Supreme Judges, with amendments reducing the salary from $5,000 to $4,000.
He also returned Mr. Beardsley's bill [S. 33] to amend the charter of the Indiana Fire and Marine Insurance Company, with a recommendation that it lie on the table.
Mr. Steele, from the same committee, returned Mr. Scott's bill [S. 286] with reference to liens on buildings, with a similar report.
He also returned Mr. Carnahan's bill [S. 285] to repeal an act concerning weights and measures, with a recommendation that it be indefinitely postponed.
He also returned Mr. Bird's bill [S. 312] to fix the salary of the Governor's Private Secretary, with a recommendation that the salary be reduced from $2,200 to $1,000.These reports were severally concurred in.
Mr. Gregg, from the same committee returned the bill [S. 314] to fix the number of jurors necessary to find a verdict in civil cases, with a recommendation that it be indefinitely postponed.
Mr. Gooding objected to this report as being acted upon in too great haste. It frequently happens that one or two stubborn jurors hang a jury and so necessitate another trial. There is much talk against the expense of litigation, and this bill provides that two-thirds of the twelve may find a verdict in civil cases, which would materially decrease the expense of litigation. In the passage of laws all that is required is a bare majority, and a law may be enacted over the veto of a Governor by a simple majority vote. This bill but proposes a principle that permeates through all our governmental system, and there is no good reason why it should not prevail in this respect.
On his motion the report was amended so as that the bill shall lie on the table.
Mr. Gregg, from the Judiciary Committee, returned the bill [S. 298] to amend section of the practice act, with a recommendation that it lie on the table as superseded matter.
He also returned the bill [S. 313] to amend section 2 of the act in relation to the Attorney General, with a recommendation that it be indefinitely postponed.
Mr. Miller, from the Committee on Roads, returned Mr. Collett's bill [S. 81] to authorize the election of a county engineer, with a recommendation that it lie on the table.
Mr. Gooding, from the Judiciary Committee, returned Mr. Scott's bill [S. 277] to extend the jurisdiction of criminal courts with a favorable report.
Mr. Rhodes, from the Committee on Fees and Salaries, returned Mr. Beeson's bill [S. 244] fixing the salary of certain officers of benevolent institutions with amendments.
Mr. Gooding, from the Committee on Railroads, returned the bill [H. R. 151] with amendment substituting April for February, 1873, and an amendment to section 2.
Mr. Collett, from the Committee on Agriculture, returned Mr. Scott's bill [S. 274] to amend the act relating to the capital stock of agricultural societies, with amendments.
Mr. Harney, from the same committee, returned Mr. Stroud's bill [S. 283] authorizing agricultural societies to issue capital stock and own real estate, with a recommendation that it lie on the table.
Mr. Brown, from the Committee on Railroads, returned Mr. Cave's bill [S. 231] in relation to donations by individuals to railroads, with a favorable report.
He also returned Mr. Beardsley's bill [S. 139] authorizing railroads to alter lines, with a similar report.
Mr. Daggy, from the Committee on the Judiciary, returned the bill [H. R. 36] to amend the act to incorporate the Franklin Insurance Company, with a favorable report.
Mr. Dwiggins, from the Committee on Railroads, returned the bill [H. R. 240] with amendments.
These reports were severally concurred in.
NEW PROPOSITIONS.
Mr. Sarnighausen (for Mr. Howard) introduced a bill [S. 319] to legalize the acts of school trustees of incorporated towns which have issued bonds to erect school buildings. It was read the first time and passed to the second reading.
Mr. Boone introduced a bill [S. 320] for an act to prescribe an official oath and affirmation, and the manner of removing persons from any official position in this State, if they use intoxicating liquors as a beverage.
Mr. Winterbotham introduced a bill [S. 321] providing for the organization of the government of the State prisons and to appoint a Board of Commissioners for the government of the same. [Three Directors to be elected at the present session of the Legislature to serve two, three and four years each, and their successors to serve four years each, at a salary of $1,000 per annum. The Board to visit the Northern and the South- page: 169[View Page 169] ern Prisons alternately every two months.] The bill was referred to the Committee on Prisons.
Mr. Sleeth introduced a bill [S. 322] for an act to amend sec. 587 of the civil practice act, having reference to the filing of complaints, and the reviews thereof. It was referred to the Judiciary Committee.
Mr. Boone introduced a bill [S. 323] to fix the time for holding the circuit court in the 8th Judicial Circuit. It was referred to a special committee of Senators representing the district.
REPORTS PROM COMMITTEES.
Mr. Dwiggins, from the Committee on Swamp Lands, returned the bill [S. 304] to repeal sec. 37 the swamp land grant act, with a favorable report.
He also returned from the Committee on Railroads the bill S. 296 requiring railroads to pay an equal amount to keep in repair their crossings, with a similar report.
He also returned Mr. Scott's bill [S. 215] authorizing the leasing of railroads, with a favorable report.
These reports were severally concurred in.
Mr. Steele moved to reconsider the vote by which the bill [S. 212] relating to the salaries of the Governor and Secretary of State was concurred in.
It was so ordered and the bill was recommitted to the Judiciary Committee.
Mr. Dwiggins, by request, introduced a bill [S. 324] for an act in relation to sheriffs' deeds.
The House concurrent resolution authorizing the Secretary of State, in connection with the chairman of the Printing Committee, to procure the printing of the report of Agent of State, was adopted.
The House concurrent resolution for a joint night session next Wednesday, to hear an address by Martin Bovee on the subject of capital punishment, was rejected.
The House concurrent resolution authorizing the Joint Standing Committee on the Public Libraries to inquire into and examine the condition of the State Library, its books, papers and stationery accounts, and report by bill or otherwise, being read,
Mr. Dwiggins moved to amend by including the words ''and all other accounts.
The amendment was agreed to.The resolution, as amended, was adopted.
Then came the adjournment till Monday at two o'clock P. M.
