THE BREVIER LEGISLATIVE REPORTS.
VOLUME SEVENTEEN.
INDIANA LEGISLATURE.
IN SENATE.
SATURDAY, Feb, 1,1879-- 10 o'clock a. m.The Senate was called, to order by the senator from Jackson (Mr. Burrell,) who was requested by the lieutenant governor to occupy the chair this morning.
The session was opened with prayer by Rev. VIRGIL K. TEVIS, of the M. E. church of this city.
The secretary's minutes of yesterday's proceedings were read, corrected and approved.
Mr. MENZIES offered The following:
Resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring, that the pay of the pages on duty in the Senate chamber be at the rate of $2 per day, commencing from the day their duty commenced.
The resolution on was adopted.
Mr. SARNIGHAUSEN presented a remonstrance signed by almost ail the members of the bar of Allen county against the passage of the bill to abolish the criminal court in Allen county.
On motion it was ordered, that when the 'Senate adjourn it be till Monday at a quarter before 2 o'clock, p. m.
The PRESIDING OFFICER laid before the Senate a communication from the superintendent of public instruction in answer to a resolution of the Senate inquiring as to what extent the local school levies can be reduced without injury to the public schools, in which he states that he does not know of a single corporation which levies the full amount of taxation for school purposes now permitted by law. After a careful examination he is satisfied that the following reductions in the possible levy for school purposes can be made without seriously impairing the efficiency of the schools, viz: I. The tax for the erection of school houses, etc., to be levied by civil trustees of incorporated towns only, which is 30 cents on the $100. 2. He thinks it would be safe to reduce the limitation on the possible issue of bonds by the civil authorities of cities and towns for school buildings from $50,000 to $25,000, and to reduce the tax that may be levied for the payment of principal and Interest on these bonds from 50 cents on the $100 and $1.00 on each poll, to 15 cents on the $100 and 50 cents on each poll. 3. He thinks the local tax for school purposes commonly called "tuition tax" of 25 cents on the $100 and 25 cents on each poll, which can be levied only by civil authorities, and not by school trustees, can be reduced to 20 cents on the $100. and 25 cents on each poll. 4. If some provision could be made by which a tax could be levied on those corporations only in which debts have been already contracted, he thinks that the levy of 50 cents on the $100 and $1 on each poll, for the purpose of providing school houses, furniture, apparatus, fuel and other necessary expenses, except tuition, which can be levied by school trustees of townships, towns and cities, could be reduced to 35 cents on each $100, and 50 cents on each poll. This will effect a reduction in the possible levy in townships of twenty-six per cent., in cities of thirty six per cent, and in towns of fifty-four per cent., without serious injury to the schools. The communication was referred to the committee on education.
Mr. LEEPER offered the following:
Whereas, The Indiana Hospital for the Insane was, according to the language of the state, established for "the cure of the Insane of Indiana;" and,
Whereas, From reports in the public prints, it appears that certain persons, not adjudged insane according to the statutes in such cases made and provided, have been harbored as inmates of such institution for a considerable length of time; therefore,
Resolved, That the committee on benevolent institutions be and are hereby instructed to inquire what legislation, if any, may be necessary for the government of the hospital for the insane, to protect such institution from abuse and irregularity of the character above cited, TO the end that none but proper subjects shall hereafter be admitted thereto as inmates or harbored therein at the expense of the State; and that such committee report the result of their inquiry to this Senate by bill or otherwise.
It was adopted.
page: 96[View Page 96]NEW PROPOSITIONS.
The following described bills for acts were introduced, read the first time and referred to appropriate committees:
By Mr. KENT [S. 315], to authorize the county commissioners of the several counties in this State to purchase the books, stationery and other articles for the several county offices, and for the conduct of public business.
By Mr. REEVE, by request, [S. 316], to amend section 7 of the act of June 9, 1852, providing for appointment of notaries public, by adding these words: "and all official acts performed by any such person as a notary snail be absolutely void."
By Mr. KAGAN, [S. 317], to prohibit railway companies from transporting free, or at any less rate of fare than is charged the public generally, any member of the General Assembly, or any judicial, county or district officer of this State.
By Mr. HARRIS, [S. 318] defining certain misdemeanors. Any person who, without authority, shall be found in or upon any railroad car, or remove any seal or lock therefrom. Justices of the peace to have power to punish by fine or imprisonment.
By Mr. TAYLOR, [S. 319] to amend the act providing for the election of justices of the peace, so that there shall be but one in each township, one in addition for each incorporated town, and one in addition for every 2,000 voters or traction thereof in each city at the last preceding general election.
By Mr. HEFRON, [S. 320] authorizing the election of marshals of cities by the common council thereof, for the term of two years.
By Mr. SARNIGHAUSEN, [S. 321] to amend section 2 of the act of March 17,1875, in relation to the laying out, opening, widening, altering and vacation of streets, alleys and highways, and for straightening or altering water courses by cities--prescribing the duties of city commissioners.
By Mr. GARRIGUS, for Mr. KAHLO, [S. 322] to legalize acts of the local authorities in aid of the erection of a school building in Monticello, White county.
By Mr. STREIGHT,[S. 323] to amend the act to discourage the keeping of useless and sheep-killing dogs by imposing a tax of $1 for a male and $2 for a female dog, weighing ten pounds or under, and $3 each for a male or female dog weighing over ten pounds, and for each dog more than one $5 each.
By Mr. FOWLER, [S. 324] to amend section 244 of the general practice act of 1852. The party producing a witness "either in a civil or criminal action," shall not be allowed to impeach his credit.
The Senate adjourned till Monday at a quarter before 2 o'clock p. m.
