AFTERNOON SESSION.
Mr. Henderson's bill [H. R. 349] to repeal the act providing for the redemption of real property sold under execution or other order of safe, and providing for an issue of certificates of purchase in such case, and for the execution of conveyances, approved June 4, 1861, was considered on the third reading.
page: 178[View Page 178]Mr. Henderson. This bill was passed under the stress and emergency of war in 1861which no longer exists. It is to repeal what is called the Redemption law, which operates injuriously to the credit of the State - especially to those who desire to borrow money of persons residing without the State.
Mr. Schmuck showed how under the existing redemption law the creditor in compelled to wait two or three years for his collections, and urged its repeal.
Mr. Cobb. It seemed to him that we have legislated enough in favor of wealth and against poverty - in favor of the strong and against the weak; and he thought that one of the wisest provisions of the laws which allows the man who has been so unfortunate as to have his farm sold on execution, one year to redeem it.
Mr. Gregory replied in favor of the bill. The nearer we can come to the destruction of the credit system the better for the poorer classes. This legislation places the debtor and the creditor on an equality.
Mr. Gifford stated his opposition to the bill:
It was rejected. Yeas, 26; nays, 47.
CEMETARY FUND.
Mr. Butter worth's bill [H. R. 356], concerning cemeteries, was considered on the third reading. Mr. B. stated that it provides for raising a cemetary fund, by which any man having a lot in the grounds can keep it in repair by depositing the requisite amount of money.
The bill was finally passed the House of Representatives. Yeas, 73; nays, 5.
REVENUE LAW.
Mr. Kimball, from the Committee on Ways and Means, to whom had been referred two bills of the House for amendment of the assessment act of 1872, reported that the committee had considered the same, and under the suggestions therein, had authorized him to report a new bill [H. R. 504] supplemental to, and amendatory of, the act to provide for a uniform assessment of property, etc., approved December 21, 1872, which was read and passed to the second reading.
Mr. Branham. This being a matter with which the House is well acquainted, he moved for a suspension of the Constitutional restriction that the bill may be advanced to the final vote.
Mr. Shirley objected to the hurry.
Mr. Branham. The only thing in the bill is a proposition for the semi-annual collection of the taxes. There are some other changes, as the change in the time of the reports from the 15th of December to the 15th of November; and it changes the amount to be paid per tract for advertising delinquent lands from 30 cents to 60 cents per tract.
Mr. Kimball. It also authorizes the Treasurer to take the goods of the delinquent taxpayer to the Court House for sale.
Mr. Givan moved to amend the bill by striking out "60" and inserting "40," in lieu for the price per tract for advertised delinquent lands.
Mr. Schmuck supported and Mr. Mellett opposed the amendment.
Mr. Walker made an ineffectual motion to lay it on the table.
Mr. Buskirk proposed to amend the amendment so as to make it fifty cents.
Mr. Schmuck moved ineffectually to lay it on the table; and then it was agreed to, and the amendment as amended was adopted.
Mr. Edwards of Lawrence, proposed to amend the bill by making the taxes payable but once a year, which was rejected.
The constitutional rule being suspended for the purpose, the bill, as amended, was considered as engrossed and finally passed the House of Representatives - yeas 76, nays 10.
Mr. Kimball, from the Committee on Ways and Means, returned Mr. Feed's bill [H. R. 448] to repeal section 55 of the act to amend the act to authorize and regulate the business of general banking, approved March 3,1855, recommending its passage. He stated that this is a proposition to repeal the law which authorizes the Treasurer and Auditor of State to receive $800 and $1,500 each year for attending to duties required of them under the old free banking law, and as that business is about wound up, we see no necessity for continuing the pay. The bill was passed to the engrossment.
Mr. Kimball also returned Mr. Hatch's bill [H. R. 347] to amend sections 155, 159 and 180 of the abstract of December 21, 1872, and Mr. Satterwhite's bill [H. R. 207] to provide for the semi-annual collection of taxes, with recommendations that they be laid on the table: the committee believing that the bill reported by them this day (and which has just passed the House as above recited) embodies all the amendments that should be made to the revenue laws of the State. The report was concurred in.
Mr. Kimball, from the Committee on Ways and Means, returned the bill [S. 155] to provide for the reimbursement to certain counties therein named certain, taxes illegally assessed and collected in 1869, and paid into the State Treasury, recommending its passage. It was ordered to the third reading.
A. C. EDMUNDS.
Mr. Schmuck submitted a preamble and resolution reciting the breach of privilege by one A. C. Edmunds by printing and publishing with his book of biographies of members of the General Assembly false and absurd, and offensive statements concerning members who are not subscribers to his work, and therefore expelling him from the privilege of the lobby of the House of Representatives. He read from the pamphlet in his band certain paragraphs and phrases of the offensive matter referred to in the resolution; as
"Mr. Schmuck is a Dutchman," and the writer was incorrect as to the time of his residence in this country; "Mr. Lenfestey is a native Hoosier;" "Mr. Baxter is an oratorical failure;" "Mr. Shirley feeling his importance as a member of the Legislature," etc., and demanded the execution of the order he had submitted.
Messrs. Lenfesty and Offutt referred humorously to the harmless paper, but held firmly for the order.
On the motion of Messrs. Walker and Blocher, the resolution was amended by adding a clause prohibiting the pages and others from selling the infamous thing, and so the resolution was adopted; whereupon the doorkeeper, without further order, ejected the said Edmunds from the hall.
TOWNS AND CITIES.
Mr. Glasgow's bill [H. R. 414] to repeal the act in relation fo the taxation of lands in towns and cities, approved June 18, 1852, was considered on the third reading. Mr. G. set forth the object of the bill, to repeal the law of 1852, which exempts the owners of tracts of land in towns and cities on the excess above twenty acres within the corporate limits. It was rejected - yeas 36, nays 40.
LAWRENCEBURG INSURANCE COMPANY.
Mr. Cauthorn asked and obtained unanimous consent for the consideration of the bill [S. 160] to amend the act of February 28, 1832, to incorporate the Lawrenceburg Insurance Company. (It proposes to change the style to the Citizens Insurance Company, to increase its capital stock to $100,000 and thence indefinitely.)
Mr. Miller. If we want to pass a law that will place this insurance company entirely beyond the reach and control of the Legislature, I think we have now one of the best opportunities of doing so. Here is an old, defunct corporation, organized in 1832, one of the oldest in the States; yet, living not very far from Lawrenceburg myself, I know nothing about it. But I undertake to say here, that this bill is to revive a charter page: 179[View Page 179]that gives extraordinary privileges to the corporators - such as can not be obtained under the general law - that it is now undertaken to galvanize this defunct institution into life again, because of extraordinary powers in the original charter. If this is not the purpose, why should the citizens of Evansville go up to Lawrenceburg and buy up these franchises? Why did they do this if they did not want to hedge themselves in the possession of peculiar advantages so that it will be impossible for future legislatures to reach them? And he insisted that a bill of this kind should not be supported here especially at a time when we are casting about us to get up a good insurance law, such as might be suggested by the sad experience in Illinois and Massachusetts.
Mr. Wolflin considered that the gentleman took a wrong view. It was to favor the establishment of insurance companies in this State and so to keep capital in the State that the bill was introduced here.
Mr. Cauthorn submitted the absurdity of the assumption that the bill was to galvanize into life a defunct institution. The institution is living, and the bill proposes to do just what the House has done with a bill introduced here by the gentleman from Marion, (Mr. Kimball,) which was to remove the Franklin Insurance Company from Franklin to this city, and to increase its capital stock and otherwise enlarge its franchises. He considered the endorsement of the Senate equivalent at least to that of a committee of the House of Representatives.
The bill was rejected - yeas, 40; nays, 41.
RAILROADS.
Mr. Offutt submitted a resolution, which was adopted, requiring the Committee on Railroads forthwith to report back to the House the several bills in their possession on the subject of passenger fare and the tariff of freight charged by the railroads of this State; whereupon -
Mr. King, from said committee, returned the bill [S. 6] concerning the transportation of freight and passengers over the railroads in the State; also, Mr. Otfutt's bill [H. R. 158] declaring all railroad companies in this State to be common carriers, and to regulate the fare and tariff of freight thereon, the committee recommending that these bills take their places on the flies of the clerk.
Mr. Branham, from the same committee, returned the bill [S. 115] to prevent extortionate charges, and to prevent unjust discriminations on the part of railroad companies; to provide remedy, etc., with sundry amendments.
Oh the motion of Mr. Branham, the further consideration of the whole subject was postponed, and it was made the special order for Thursday, at two o'clock P. M.
ELEVATOR GRAIN RECEIPTS.
Mr. King's bill [H. R. 429] concerning grain elevator companies, and receipts issued by them, was considered in its order on the third reading.
Mr. King said the principal object here is to prevent the elevator companies from giving receipts unless the grain for which they are given be actually in store. Then it makes such receipts negotiable in bank, so that the grain owners may have their receipts cashed with facility. The vote thereon determined the fact that there is not a quorum present to do business.
Messrs. Satterwhite and Riggs obtained leave of absence. The former indefinite on account of sickness in his family.
The House adjourned.
