HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
[Morning Session]
MONDAY, January 13, 1873.[CONTINUED FROM THE TOP OF PAGE 23.]
Mr. STANLEY the representative for Noble county, and Mr. Shutt for the county of DeKalb appearing in the Hall, came forward at the request of the Speaker, received the oath of their office at his hand and took their seats.
Mr. SHIRLEY asked and obtained leave to record his vote on the Legislature Elections which were made on Saturday.
Messrs. MILLER and GOBLE obtained leave of absence on account of family illness, and Mr. Willard till Thursday on account of pressing business.
On motion of Mr. GIVAN, Mr. Cauthorn resolution for amemdment of rule 38 so as to give the Speaker a discretion as to the number of members which shall constitute the Standing Committees was taken up.
Mr. BRANHAM. The rule has stood from time immemorial that seven shall be the number of the Standing Committess, and he could see no good reason for increasing the number. And he was unwilling to place this power in the hands of the Speaker - having no reference to the present Speaker - but he considered that it ought not to be done.
The resolution was rejected.
page: 291[View Page 291]DEPUTY APPRAISER.
Mr. TROUTMAN submitted a preamble and resolution reciting that the new assessment act gives the work of the assessment of taxes to the real estate appraiser, and resolving therefore that the real estate appraisers be requested to appoint the former assessors for deputies, without respect to their partizan affiliations.
Mr. SHIRLEY. They might well appoint such for their deputies as may be competent; but we all know that the people elect a great many incompetents. The resolution can be so shaped, that wherever they are competent the old Assessors shall be appointed as deputies, and it should be made the duty of the appraisers to appoint them.
Mr. TROUTMAN had that object in view; and if the resolution does not express it, he hoped the gentleman would prepare the proper amendment.
Mr. SHIRLEY. It might be worded so as not to carry it too far into the future - so as toconfine these appointments to the present and the next year.
Mr. BUTTERWORTH submitted an in effectual motion to lay the resolution on the table.
Mr. MILLER suggested another amendment of the resolution. It comtemplates this deputizing of all the old Assessors. Perhaps the appraisers would not require so many deputies.
Mr. TROUTMAM. I would like to inquire whether it is competent for this House to request or instruct in this way?
Mr. COBB. It seems to me that this resolution is entirely out of order - infringing and patching up a law we have but just passed.
Mr. BRETT. If we go to tampering with the assessment law we will get everything out of joint.
The resolution was adopted on a division affirmative 40, negative 30.
The House then took a recess till 2 o'clock, P.M.
