HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 15,1879, 9 o'clock a. m.The SPEAKER called the House to order, and Rev. T. H. LYNCH, presiding elder of the M. E. Church for this district, opened the session with prayer.
The reading of the journal was ordered and proceeded with until--
On the motion of Mr. HEROD the further reading was dispensed with.
The SPEAKER ordered the call by counties for resolutions and bills to be continued where It was left off on yesterday.
NEW PROPOSITIONS.
The following described bills for acts were introduced, read the first time and passed to the second reading.
By Mr. ALLEN, [H. R. 124] touching the duties of township trustee [to levy a special tax to defray the expenses of his office]. Also, [H. R. 125] regulating the interest on money [six per cent]. Also, [H. R. 126] in relation to foreign corporations.
By Mr. WATSON, [H. R. 127] to exempt a homestead from forced sale [40 acres and improvements, or two lots in town or city not to exceed $2,000 in value]. Also, [H. R. 128] relating to the bonds of administrators or guardians.
By Mr. FAULKNER, [H. R. 129] to amend sections 3 and 5 of an act to provide for the more speedy trial , of causes in the courts of this State, approved March 7, 3872. Also, [H. R. 130] to amend section 2 of an act to fix the salaries of judges or circuit, courts [$1,500.] Also, a resolution, which was adopted, requiting the auditor of state to furnish a tabulated statement of all moneys paid to judges, sheriffs [for transportation of prisoners, hack hire, etc.], and other officials.
By Mr. SLEETH, [H. R. 131] to amend the general practice act. Also, [H. R. 132] to amend the act prescibing the duties of administrators--preference to be given the widow and next of kin. Also, a resolution, which was adopted, that the Committee on Claims allow none presented within 15 days of the close of the session.
Mr. BRIGGS presented a petition from citizens of Sullivan County, which was referred to the Committee on Mines and Mining without reading. Also, [H. R. 133] fixing the time when causes shall stand for issue and trial in the Circuit Court. Also, [H. R. 134] for making the legal interest on money six per cent. Also. [H. R. 134] to legalize the acts of the board of trustees of the town of Shelborne.
Mr. VANPELT offered a resolution, which was adopted, directing the secretary of state to furnish the standing committees of the House with stationery, upon the order of the chairmen,
By Mr. BARKER, [H. R. 137] concerning the rights of married women.
Mr. OSBORN of Vermillion offered a resolution directing the Committee on Apportionment of the State for representative purposes to report a bill therefor without partisan favor.
Mr. OSBORN, of Elkhart, moved to lay it on the table.
The motion was agreed to by--yeas 48, nays 46. So the reeolution lies on the table.
By Mr GAROUTTE, [H. R. 138] requiring, township trustees to appropriate any surplus funds now on hand to the benefit of the road.
By Mr. VAN VALZAH, [H. R. 139] to change the time when city taxes shall become a lien--the first day of April. Also, [H. R. 140] to legalize the annexation of land to cities and towns. Also, a claim for $1,183 23, which was referred to the Committee on Claims without reading.
Mr ARNOLD offered a resolution directing the Committee on Rights and Privileges of the Inhabitants of the State to inquire into the expediency of reporting a bill for an act regulating settlements with administrators of estates.
It was adopted by--yeas 32, nays 30.
By Mr. TAYLOR of Warwick, [H. R. 141]to legalize the acts of the board of trustees of the town of Boonville.
By Mr. MITCHELL, [H. R. 142] to fix and regulate the salaries of county officers. Also, [H. R. 143] to divide the state into congressional districts. Also, a resolution, which was adopted, Instructing the Judiciary Committee to inquire into and report the expense of the present judicial system,
By Mr. OWEN, [H. R. 144] providing for .the collection of damages sustained or growing out of the sale of intoxicating liquors from the seller and the owner of the building in which it is sold. Also, [H. R. 145] regulating the sale of intoxicating liquors--the several townships to vote for or against licensing the sale thereof--at April elections.
By Mr. TULLY, [H. R. 146] to regulate the listing of progeny for taxation--bona fide indebtedness to be deducted. Also, [H. R. 147] to enable married women, whose husbands are insane, to hold a certain amount of property exempt from taxes. Also, [H. R. 148] to legalize and make valid the sale of real estate in certain cases. Also, [H. R. 149] regulating in- terest on money--6 per cent.
Mr. CAMPBELL--detained by sickness--by Mr Gordon[H. R. 150] legalizing the annexation of certain lands to the city of Logansport.
Appointments of committee clerks were reported to wit: For the first group of committees,C C. Worreil; for the second group, Charles Shank: for the third group, John Graham.
The SPEAKER laid before the House a communication from the state librarian, setting forth the tender by the Marion County commissioners of rooms in the new Court House for the use of the House of Representatives.
A lengthy communication from the governor on the subject of the health of the public was read, and--
On the motion of Mr. Osborne, of Elkart, the communication and accompanying papers were referred to the committee on rights and privileges.
The bill [S.51] changing the time of holding courts in the eleventh judicial circuit coming page: 28[View Page 28] up, was read read the first time and passed to the second reading.
Mr. Lehman's bill [H. R. 1] appropriating $120,000 for Legislative expenses was read the second time. On his motion, the Constitutional rule was suspended--yeas 90, nays 0--the bill considered as engrossed, read the third time and passed the House of Representatives--yeas 87, nays 1.
Mr. DALTON introduced a bill [H. R. 151] to enable mining or manufacturing corporations of other State to purchase and convey real estate in this State, which was read the first time.
Mr. Davidson's 6 per cent interest bill [H. R. 2] was read the second time.
Mr. English's assessment of real property bill [H. R. 3] was read the second time.
The House then look a recess till 2 o'clock p.m.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The speaker resumed at 2 o'clock.
Mr OSBORNE of Elkhart, called up the Special order for this hour, toeing the consideration of the Governor's message.
The HOUSE than resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole--Mr. Willard in the chair.
The different portions of the message were referred to appropriate committees, when the committee rose and reported progress.
The report was concurred in, and so the message was referred to the appropriate committees of the House.
Notice was given of the withdrawal of the papers in the contested case of Geo. W. Gibson for the seat of James T. Arnold, from the counties of Grant and Blackford.
BILLS ON THE SECOND READING.
The following described bills were read the second time and referred to appropriate committees:
Mr. Steven's bill [H. R. 5] regulating the number of grand jurors. Also his appraisement of real estate bill [H. R. 6].
Mr. Compton's working of coal mines bill [H. R. 7].
Mr. Caldwell's interest bill [H. R. 8].
Mr. Steven's corner stone bill [H. R. 9].
Mr. Reed's bill, [H. R. 10] exempting the Claims of wives, children, etc., of charitable associations.
Mr. Hess' gravel road amendment bill,[H. R. 11]
Mr. Shields' bill, [H. R. 12] legalizing the acts of the council of the city of Seymour.
Mr. LAYMAN (by consent), from the special committee appointed to secure committee rooms, reported that the rooms in this court house were too large and inconvenient, and that the committee had a proposition from the proprietor of the Grand Hotel to furnish five rooms, warmed and cleaned for $185 during the session. Also a proposition from Woodward's European Hotel to furnish six rooms in suit, furnished, gas, janitor, etc., for the sum of $180 during the session.
Mr. MIERS moved that the House accept the offer of the proprietors of the Grand Hotel.
Mr. LEHMAN moved to amend the motion by striking out the word "Grand" and inserting, in lieu, "Woodward's European Hotel," which was rejected by-yeas, 24; nays, 68.
The proposition of the Grand Hotel was then accepted by a rising vote--yeas, 5; nays, 26.
Mr. OVERMEYER offered a resolution, which was adopted, that the janitor appointed for committee rooms in the new Court House be discharged.
The order of reading bills the second time proceeded:
Mr. Overmeyer's petit juror bill [H. R. 13].
Mr. Reed's public cemetery bill [H. R. 14].
Mr. Lenman's [H. R. 15], to legalize tho Board of Trustees of the town of Edinburgh.
Mr. Steven' [H. R. 16], defining what property shall be taxed for educational purposes.
Mr. Dalton's [H. R. 17], repealing the act permitting townships taking stock for the construction of railroads. Also his six per cent interest bill [H. R. 18].
Mr. Edwin's protection of fish bill [H. R. 19].
Mr. Connor's State bureau statistic and geology bill [H. R. 20]. Also his bill [H. R. 21] abolishing the office of township assessor. Also his homestead exemption bill [H. R. 22.]
Mr. Herod's bill [H. R. 23] to create the 43d judicial circuit.
Mr. English's bill [H. R. 24] regulating the indebtedness of counties having a voting population of over 20,000. Also his representative apportionment bill [H. R. 25]. Also his bill [H. R. 28] providing for the appraisement of real estate, coming up, on motion by Mr. WILLARD the constitutional restriction was dispensed with--yeas 88, nays 0. The bill was read the second time by title only, and referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
Mr. English's bill [H. R. 27] to fix the number of members of the General Assembly. Also his congressional apportionment bill [H. R. 28].
Mr. Work's bill[H. R. 29] relative to married women. Also his bill [H. R. 30] to amend, sec 8 of the act concerning the alienation of properly.
Mr. Allen's court practice act [H. R. 31]--
Were severally referred to appropriate committees.
The House adjourned.
