AFTERNOON SESSION.
Mr. SAYRE, from the Committee on Elections, reported as to the contest for the seat in the Senate held by Charles L. Henry, that the return certificate of election shows Mr. Henry to be duly elected, and the Committee recommend the contest be dismissed for want of prosecution by the contestor.
THE WHISTLING NUISANCE.
Mr. FOSTER offered a preamble and resolution declaring that the railroad whistling act of March 29, 1879, was so carelessly engrossed and enrolled as to make it ridiculous, and that the author [ex-Senator Cadwallader] was in no way responsible for the stupid blunder.
Mr. HEFRON thought it possible in attempting to rectify one error in haste another might be made. The author of this resolution does not seem to know upon whom the blame should be saddled. He would like to be certain where the error occurred and who is responsible, before voting censure upon the Enrolling and Engrossing Clerks of the last Assembly.
Mr. GARRIGUS had received a letter from the Secretary of State soon after the adjournment of the last General Assembly, stating that the objectionable words were in the original draft of the bill, but a pencil mark has been drawn across the words, whether before or after engrossment is not known.
Mr. VIEHE favored the resolution, but desired and amendment that would exonerate the clerks.
Mr. FOSTER was satisfied Senator Cadwallader was in now way responsible for the error, but was willing the resolution should be so amended as to efface therefrom any imputation upon others.
On motion by Mr. LEEPER the resolution was referred to the Committee on Federal Relations.
INVESTIGATING COMMITTEES.
The House concurrent resolution for the appointment of an Investigating Committee into the management of the Insane Hospital, consisting of three Senators and five Representatives, coming up--
Mr. MENZIES desired a comparative statement of the two systems of management of this Institution, and proposed an amendment requiring the investigation to begin with the 1st of January, 1874.
Mr. LANGDON knew nothing of the foundation of these charges, but saw no necessity for an investigation prior to 1878. At the last session there was an investigation, full and exhaustive, reported by a stenographer, submitted to the General Assembly. Now, why expend more time and more money in going over an old track? A comparison will do no good were either managements good or bad, for it neither will detract from or add to the management for the past two years.
Mr. VAN VORHIS knew of some reasons why this investigation should be made outside of the charges by the public press: it being manifest upon the face of the reports for 1880, that some matters therein should be explained.
He called attention to the mortality rate for the year 1880. The rate for 1880 is nearly 50 per cent. higher than for any other year since 1859: or any year in the history of the Institution. Then the pr cent. of recovery is from 25 to 30 per cent. less than ever in the history of that Institution. It is due to the people that the reasons for this condition of affairs should be inquired into. As has been said, the management of this Hospital has been investigated time and again. He did not desire to avoid investigation at any date. The Senate ought to know the state of faces as they exist now. It makes little difference as to this question whther the reports are true or not, the investigation ought to be had.
Mr. WOOLLEN did not wish to discuss any question that may come up on the discussion of the report of this Investigation Committee. When the proper time comes he hoped to be heard on the present management. The State has never had a more accomplished Superintendent than the one now in charge. He objected to such investigations, except upon a sworn affidavit of some responsible party knowing of mismanagement. He referred to the fact that the members of the Committee, on the part of the House, are said to be in the resolution, while but four names are embraced in the message from the House.
Mr. CHAPMAN entered his emphatic dissent from the statement that the ratio of mortality depends upon the kind of patients the physician has, but rather upon the kind of physician attends the patients. What may form the basis of this investigation he knew not, but as the investigation is resolved upon by one House and likely to be by the other, he can not favor dating the investigation back as proposed.
The amendment would involve an expense that could result in no good to either side of the House or to either management.
Mr. LANGDON, since making the statement a few minutes ago that at the last session of the Legislature there was an investigatfon had, a report of which does not appear in the journals, he has had placed in his hands a copy of the Brevier Legislative Reports of the last General Assembly, in which may be found a majority and minority report from a Joint Committee which fully investigated the affairs of the Insane Asylum.
Mr. MENZIES questioned whether the whole thing should not be voted down, or whether if this thing is of sufficient importance to proceed with an investigation taken down by a short-hand reporter. The investigation should not go back so as to make comparison with the former system. If investigations investigate, let us go into this thing as a serious business. If the present or former management is bad, let the seal of condemnation be placed where it belongs.
The amendment was rejected by yeas, 18; nays, 20.
Mr. LANGDON demanded the previous question, and under its operation the concurrent resolution was adopted.
The LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR makes the Committee on the part of the Senate to consist of Messrs. Shaffer, Bell and Sayre: The Committee on the part of the House being Representatives Berryman, Hinton, Wilson, of Morgan, McCormack and Hargrove.
The House concurrent resolution for a Joint Committee, to investigate and report what, if any, legislation is necessary concerning the inspection and sale of mineral oils, was read and adopted.
The LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR appoints as in said Committee on the part of the Senate Messrs. White and Kramer: The Committee on the part of the House being Representatives Taylor, of LaGrange; Robinson, of Decatur; and Cummins.
The House concurrent resolution for a Joint Committee of Investigation into the management of the House of Refuge at Plainfield, was adopted.
The LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR appointed Messrs. Macartney and Howard as such Commit- page: 120[View Page 120] tee on the part of the Senate: The House Committee being Representatives Wright, O'Brien and Cummins.
NEW PROPOSITIONS.
The following described bills were introduced, read the first time and referred to appropriate Committees:
By Mr. COFFEY [S. 225]: To prohibit the sale, barter, loan or gift of certain fire arms to persons under the age of fifteen years. [Rifle, musket, pistol, shot-gun, or ball,powder, percussion caps or other articles manufactured for the use in such fire-arms.]
By Mr. Hostetter [S. 226]: To enable the owners of wet lands to drain and reclaim them, when the same can not be done without affecting the lands of others, prescribing the powers and duties of County Commissioners and other officers in the premises, and to provide for the repair and enlargement of such drains, and repealing certain acts therein specified and declaring a emergency.
By Mr. HOSTETTER [S. 227]: Prepared by the Adjutant General of the State, supplemental to the act for the organization and regulation of the Indiana Militia, approved May 11, 1861, providing an exemption from jury duty and poll-tax for members of the active Militia, and for Armories, and for the control and use of such Armories, defining offenses for molesting such Armories, and officers and soldiers while on duty, fixing penalties for such offenses; providing right of way for the State Militia when on duty and parade, prescribing the powers of officers thereof to make arrests, fixing the compensation of the State Militia when called out for duty, the manner of payment and the term of enlistment and discharge of the Militia.
By Mr. KAHLO, by request, [S 228]: To provide a general system for improvement the streets, alleys and sidewalks of the cities of this State, providing the mode of paying for such improvements and for other purposes.
By Mr. KRAMER [S. 229]: To legalize sales made to enforce collections of municipal taxes for the years 1875 to 1881 inclusive. [Inasmuch as there is no express provision in the act approved December 21,1872, that makes the same applicable to incorporate cities and towns, this remedial measure is proposed.]
Mr. MACARTNEY [S. 230]: To legalize the incorporation of the town of Angola and each and every official act of each and every officer thereof.
By Mr. RAHM [S. 231]: To provide payment for expert testimony in the Courts of this State. [Physicians can not be compelled to testify till paid blank dollars.]
By Mr RISTINE[S. 232]: Defining the jurisdiction and powers of, and allowing City Marshals additional fees. [Shall have powers and fees of Constables.]
By Mr. SAYRE, by request [S. 233]: To repeal Section 6 of the act to regulate and license the sale of intoxicating liquors, approved March 7, 1875.
By Mr. VAN VORHIS, by request [S. 234]: To amend the act dividing the State into Judicial Circuits, approved March 6, 1863. [Concerning Monroe, Brown, Lawrence, Martin and Orange Counties.]
By Mr. YANCEY [S. 235]: To Amend Section 119 of the Justices' act, approved June 9, ,1852. [Requiring notice to judgement defendant before issuances of execution.]
By Mr. CHAPMAN [S. 236]: To prevent trespassers on inclosed or uninclosed land of another.
By Mr. COMPTON [S. 237]: To legalize acknowledgment and recording of certain instruments. [By Notaries whose commission had expired or were ineligible, but exercised the functions thereof in good faith.]
Mr. FOSTER made an ineffectual motion to have his bill [S. 7], to establish school libraries in towns of 15,000 inhabitants and over, pressed to, the final vote on its passage.
PASSED TO THE FINAL READING.
The following described bills, heretofore reported from the Joint Committee on Revision were read the second time, and ordered engrossed for the third reading: [S. 152] Concerning contempt of Courts; [S. 153] to amend Section 1 of the act supplemental to the voluntary assignment act of February 1, 1875; [S. 154] concerning Pro Tem Judges; [S. 155] concerning Circuit Courts; [S. 156] concerning the partition of land; [S. 157 and 168] touching the relation of guardian and ward; [S. 169] concerning persons of unsound mind.
Mr. URMSTON entered a motion to reconsider a vote of yesterday ordering engrossed the bill [S. 58] concerning interest on school funds, in order to correct a clerical error.
Mr. Ristine entered a motion to reconsider the vote on an amendment [Mr. Marvin's] to the gravel road bill S. 54.
The Senate adjourned till 10 to-morrow.
