NEW PROPOSITIONS.
Mr. King introduced a bill [H. R. 536] regulating the salaries of public officers; (annual salary of $2,500 to the Superintendent of the Hospital for the Insane, $2,000 for the Superintendent of the Blind Institution, and $2,000 for the Institution for the Deaf and Dumb.) It was referred to the Committee on Benevolent Institutions.
Mr. Branham introduced a bill [H. R. 537] to extend the time for the election of directors of railroad companies, and to prevent the dissolution of such companies as may have failed to make such elections under the act of May 11, 1852. It was referred to the Committee on Railroads.
Mr. Claypool introduced a bill [H. R. 538] to amend sections 25 and 28 of the act to divide the State into counties, defining the jurisdiction of those bordering on the Wabash river, approved June 11, 1852, and providing for adjusting the boundary line between the counties of Warren and Clinton. It was referred to a special committee of five, viz: Messrs. Claypool, Hollingsworth, Gronendyke, Durham and Odle.
Mr. Smith submitted an order, which was adopted, requesting the Committee on Insurance to report back to the House the Ways and Means Committee bill [H. R. 350] to organize insurance companies, etc., which has been referred to them, with what recommendations and amendments they may see proper to make.
Mr. Cauthorn submitted a preamble and resolution reciting the constitutional distribution of the powers of government, and the fact that a certain petition has been circulated and signed by members of the House of Representatives page: 229[View Page 229] and addressed to the Governor, to induce him to refuse to approve and sign the court bill [H. R. 399], which has become an enrolled act and transferred for his consideration, and resolving that such a petition on the part of members of the House of Representatives is an infringement on the prerogatives of the Executive and a breach of privilege of this House.
Messrs. Miller, Ogden and Offutt defended the right of petition in the case, and Mr. Cauthom and Mr. Shirley replied.
Mr. Offutt proposed to substitute for Mr. Cauthorn's resolution a proposition reciting that there is now pending a motion to reconsider the vote of the House by which Mr. Wilson's (of Ripley) enrolled act was passed the House; therefore resolving that the Senate be requested to return said enrolled act to this House, to the end that the same may be reconsidered and appropriate action had thereon.
Mr. Brett spoke against the Cauthorn resolution and in favor of the reconsideration of the bill.
Mr. Gregory and Mr. Cauthorn replied.
Mr. Smith proposed to amend Mr. Cauthorn's resolution by appropriately inserting the words: "Also petitions recommending the Governor to sign said bill."
Mr. Johnson considered the language of the Cauthorn resolution too severe.
The House then took a recess till two o'clock p. m.
