REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES.
Mr. Steele, Chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary, returned the bill [S. 162] to authorize transcripts of deeds to be read in evidence, with a favorable report thereon.
Mr. Daggy, from the same committee, returned the bill [S. 116] to amend the decedent estates act of June 17,1852, with a favorable report.
Mr. Gooding, from the same committee, returned Mr. Brown's bill [S. 106] to prescribe the qualifications of petit jurors, with a favorable report.
Mr. Daggy, from the same committee, returned a petition in favor of repealing or modifying the law in relation to granting aid to railroads, recommending that it lie on the table, for the reason that the subject matter is being considered by a Senate committee.
Mr. Gooding, from the same committee, returned the bill [S. 132] to amend section 20 of the Female Reformatory act with a favorable recommendation.
Also the bill [S. 160] to amend the will act of May 31,1852, with a recommendation that it pass.
These reports were severally concurred in.
Mr. Steele, Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, returned Mr. Daggy's bill [S. 110] to repeal section 18 and amend section 24 of the act regulating descents, with a recommendation from the majority that it lie on the table.
Mr. Daggy, from a minority of said committee, recognizing the rights of married women to the property of their husbands at death, and to relieve the statute of the odious distinction in sections 18 and 24, recommended the passage of the bill.
Mr. Daggy stated the object of the bill was to strike down the law allowing the widow only a life interest in the real estate of her deceased husband. Then the bill leaves off the proviso "If a man marry a subsequent time," etc. He thought the wife was entitled to one-third of her husband's real estate - not dependent upon whether or not she marries a second husband. He favored enlarging the rights of married women; and, although in conflict with a majority of the committee, desired the Senate to take action upon the question as brought up by the minority report.
Mr. Steele combatted the minority report, and a debate, participated in by Messrs. Neff, Glessner, Harney, Brown and Daggy, continued till a late hour, when -
On motion by Mr. Brown, the minority report was laid on the table.
The report of the majority was concurred in.
Mr. Boone, from the Judiciary Committee, returned the bill [S. 152] to amend section 26 of the descent act, with the recommendation for indefinite postponement. Concurred in.
