HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
MONDAY, January 20, 1873.[Morning Session.]
Mr. KING from the Committee on Railroads, returned Mr. Miller's bill [H. R. 297] supplemented to the act authorizing aid to the construction of railroads by counties and townships by taking stock therein, recommending that it lie on the table.
Mr. MILLER whose bill it is, said: I believe the Chairman will agree with me that it is a good bill, and that it is in proper form. The only object in offering this report to-day to lay it on the table is to make the bill an amendment to another railroad bill before the House (Mr. Branhams.) It makes some radical changes in the law in regard to railroad aid by counties and townships, and there may be some difficulty or delay about its passage, while the necessity for this bill is imminent in my own county as well as in many others. It applies where the tax has been levied and part of it collected, and where they desire to have the tax stopped because the railroad has not been benefitted. He gave existing cases where the passage of such a law as the bill contemplates is desirable.
Mr. KING did not think the passage of the bill would do any injury.
The report was rejected, and then the bill ordered to the engrossment.
CITY REAL ESTATE APPRAISEMENT.
[Afternoon Session.]
On motion of Mr. Billingsley, his bill [H. R. 122] providing for the appraisement of real estate in cities of 30,000 inhabitants and over, was taken up and referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, with instructions to amend by striking out and inserting appropriately these words: "for the year 1874 the appraisers of the" - and these: "by the assessors of personal property." Strike out the words "and such." Also strike out lines 15 to 18 of the same sec. and the word "seventy-four." After the word "appraisement," insert the words, "and assessment."These amendments (he said) are made necessary by the Revenue act of the last session.
DIVORCE.
Mr. WOOLLEN, from the Committee on the Judiciary reported the return of sundry Divorce Law amendment bills, viz: Mr. Furnas' [H. R, 22]; Mr. Shirley's, [H R. 23]; and Mr. Lenfesteys Births, Marriages and Deaths Registration bill [H. R. 88]; and Mr. Mellett's Divorce bill [H. R. 141] ; and Mr. Hollingsworths' Divorce bill [H. R. 331]all propositions in some way to amend the law of divorce, and also the memerials in relation to that subject from the Society of Friends, recommending that they be laid on the table. The report was concurred in
