HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
TUESDAY, February 1--9 a. m.The proceedings were opened with prayer by Rev. J. B. Baldsley, of the German Lutheran Church, this city.
The journal of the previous day was then read, after which--
Mr. WALKER offered a resolution, which was adopted, that the employes of the House who accompany the excursion to Lafayette be extended the same courtesy as members, and instructing the Doorkeeer to see that this resolution is carried into effect.
Mr. LINDSAY submitted a report frem the Judiciary Committee, to which was referred the bill [H. R. 114] in relation to trial by Jury, and the number that shall render a verdict, returned the same to the House with recommendation that the bill pass.
Mr. BERRYMAN thought if the features of this bill were properly understood the members of the House would oppose it, for ever since the organization of this Government it has taken twelve man to constitute a verdict. This bill is an invasion upon the old mode and rule, and he considered it an injurious and dangerous one. Twelve men should make a verdict in every case. He did not believe in any variation from that rule, and expressed a desire to hear from other members before the bill passes.
The report was concurred in and the bill read the second time and ordered engrossed for the third reading.
Mr. LINDSAY, from the Committee on the Judiciary, reported on the bill [H. R. 113] in relation to taking certain recognizances in certain cases etc., recommending its passage.
The report was concurred in.
The bill was read the second time, ordered engrossed, and passed to the third reading.
A report from the Judiciary Committee, to which was refereed the bill [H. R. 135] in relation to assessments made upon property of married women, ect., recommended its passage.
The report was concurred in, the bill read the second time, and ordered engrossed for the third reading.
Mr. CAUTHORNE submitted a report from the Judiciary Committee on the bill [H. R. 3] in relation to interest and usury, with certain amendments.
Mr. GIBSON moved that Mr. Buskir's bill [H. R. 3], concerning interest and usury, together with the Committee report on the same, be referred to the Committee of the Whole House on Friday at 11 o'clock a. m.
The motion was agreed to, and 200 copies of the bill were ordered printed.
Mr. KENNER submitted a majority report from the Committee on the Judiciary on the bill [H. R. 24] relating to sales of personal and real property by infants, recommending its passage, after a number of amendments, as suggested by the Committee. It was recommitted to the Judiciary.
Mr. TETER, from the Judiciary Committee, returned the bill [H. R. 200] in relation to the apportionment of decedents' estates, recommending that it be passed.
The report was concurred in, and the bill was ordered engrossed.
Mr. TETER, from the Judiciary Committee, returned the bill [H. R. 201], approved by the Committee on Revision, in relation to County Prisons, recommending that it be passed.
The report was concurred in, and the bill was ordered engrossed.
NEW PROPOSITIONS.
The following described bills were read the firs time and passed to the second reading:
By Mr. COLE [H. R. 258]: To amend Section 48 and repeal Section 49 of an act regulating general elections and prescribing the duties of officers in relation thereto, approved June 7, 1852. [Each Inspector, Judge or Clerk shall be allowed the sum of $2 a day for his services, to be paid out of the County Treasury.]
By Mr. COLE [H. R. 259]: To amend Section 11 of an act to enable the owners of wet lands to drain and reclaim the same when the same can not be done without effecting the land of others, and prescribing the powers and duties of County Boards and other officers in the premises, and to provide for the repair of such drains approved page: 110[View Page 110] March 9, 1875. If no damage or compensation shall have been claimed or no appeal taken from the action of the Board of Commissioners, the viewers shall proceed to make a just and fair estimate of the average cash value of the contracted number of lineal rods and sections of such ditch and apportion the costs, etc.
By Mr. WILSON [H. R. 260]: A bill for an act to provide exclusive jurisdiction to Justices of the Peace in certain misdemeanors. [They shall have exclusive jurisdiction throughout their respective Counties; of all misdemeanors that are punishable by fine only, where the maximum fine does not exceed $25.]
By Mr. WILSON [R. R. 261]: To prevent minors from loitering in saloons. [The proprietor of a saloon allowing any minor to remain in or about the same, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction fined not less than $10, nor more than $100.]
By Mr. GILMAN [H. R. 262]: To amend Section 19 of the fee and salary act of March 31, 1879. [In relation to Clerk's fees.]
By Mr. SCHWEITZER [H. R. 263]: To amend Section 253 of the general practice act, approved June 18, 1852. [Conceraning the taking of depositions.]
A message from the Senate by Chas. W. Brouse, Secretary thereof, announced th passage by that body of the following concurrent resolution:
Resolved, That the Senate, the House concurring, that the sympathies of the people of Indiana are with the masses of the people of Ireland in their present legal struggle to reform the of land laws at present existing in that country.
By Mr. TAYLOR, of Noble [H. R. 264]; To amend the act, concerning married women, of March 25, 1879, by adding an additional section requiring a married woman to be subject to the same liability for paying taxes as if she were unmarried.
By Mr. TAYLOR, of Nobel, [H. R. 265]: To amend Sections 197, 204, 229, 230 and 281 of the general assessment and valuation act of December 21, 1872. [In relation to delinquent tax sales; description of property.]
By Mr. GILLUM [H. R. 266]: To amend Section 1 of the act of May 14, 1869, to provide for the construction and repair of any bridge forming a boundary line between two Counties.
RULES OF THE HOUSE.
Mr. CAUTHORNE offered a resolution proposing to amend Rules 57 and 58 for the government of the House so that the first reading of a bill shall be for new motion, and then, if not rejected, for commitment to a Standing or Specia Committee; also, upon the second reading, if not ordered to be engrossed, shall be placed on the general file, etc.
On motion by Mr. CAUTHORNE, the resolution heretofore offered by the Representative from Ohio (Mr. Stewart) to the same effect, was taken up, and being read by the Clerk--
Mr. STEWART moved an amendment to strike out and insert, so that after the final reading of a bill the question shall be on rejection, which, if not carried etc.--
Mr. CAUTHORNE now offered his resolutions as an amendment to the amendment. There is but little difference, except the amendment provides on being reported favorably from the Committee and read by sections. The bill shall be for the second reading, etc.--
The amendment to the amendment was agreed to. The amendment as amended was agreed as follows:
Resolved, that rule fifty-seven be and the same is hereby amended so as to read as follows:
Rule 57. The first reading of a bill shall be for information and commitment, and no question shall be made to it except to reject; and if no question to reject is made, or if made, is decided in the negative, it shall be ready for commitment, and if committed then the question shall be whether to a Select or Standing Committee, or to a Committee of the Whole House. If to a Committee of the Whole Houses the House shall determine on what day; and if no motion be made to commit, the bill shall then pass to a second reading unless the House shall otherwise order.
Resolved, That Rule fifty-eight be and the same is hereby amended so as to read as follows:
Rule 58. Upon the second reading of a bill the Speaker shall state at as ready for amendment or engrossment; and if no motion be made to amend, the question shall be stated on its engrossment, and if not ordered to be engrossed on the day it is read the second time, it shall be placed on the general file o the Speaker's table, to be taken in order.
Mr. STEWART saw the difficulty suggested by the gentleman from Knox (Mr. Cauthorne), and was willing to adopt the proposed amendment to the rules.
The resolution as amended was adopted, and so the rules were changed as above.
SYMPATHY WITH IRELAND.
Mr. McSHEEHY offered the following.
Resolved, That the resolution just read from the Senate be and the same is hereby indorsed by this House.
And be it further
Resolved, That Major W. W. Calkins is deserving of the thanks of the citizens of the State of Indiana for his action in the House of Representatives of Congress in this matter.
It was adopted.
And then the House adjourned till to-morrow morning at 9 o'clock.
