HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
FRIDAY, February 4, 1881--9 a. m.The session was opened with prayer by Rev. H. Talbert, of the Meridian Street Church, this city, after which--
The journal of the previous day's proceedings was commenced, when, on motion, the further reading thereof was dispensed with.
COMMITTEE REPORTS.
Mr. CARTER submitted a report from the Committee on Judiciary on the bill [H. R. 65] in relation to the legalizing the incorporation of the Union Christian College, of Merom, Ind., recommending its passage. The report was concurred in, and the bill ordered engrossed.
Mr. CARTER submitted a report from the Judiciary Committee on the bill [H. R. 111], to legalize the incorporation of the city of Seymour, Ind., recommending that the bill lie on the table.
The report was concurred in.
Mr. BUSKIRK, from the Committee on the Judiciary, submitted a report on the bill [H. R. 127] in relation to the qualifications of the Prosecuting Attorneys, recommending its passage with certain amendments.
The report was concurred in and the bill ordered engrossed.
Mr. CARTER, from the Judiciary Committee, submitted a report on the bill[H. R. 196] in relation to abolishing the office of Assessors in cities and incorporated towns, recommending its passage, with an amendment, "that it shall not affect cities having over 60,000 inhabitants."
The report was concurred in, and the bill ordered engrossed.
Mr. KENNER, from the Committee on the Judiciary, reported back the bill [H. R. 124] to limit the sale of lands by minors, recommend the passage of the bill with certain amendments.
The report was concurred in, and the bill ordered engrossed.
Mr. BERRYMAN, from the Committee on Rights and Privileges, reported back the bill [S. 28] to prohibit pool selling, recommending the passage of the bill.
The report was concurred in.
PROTECTION OF FISH.
Mr. BERRYMAN, from the same Committee, submitted a report on the bill [H. R. 22] to establish a Board of Commissioners, to increase the the product of the fisheries and make appropriations therefor, recommending its passage with certain amendments.
Mr. KENNER said we could not legislate in a question that would strike near to the interests of the people of Indiana, because the Northern part of Indian was dotted all over with splendid lakes and the balance of the State with fine creeks and rivers, and hoped he the bill would receive a full discussion and fair consideration at the proper time. The most of the other States have established Fish Commissioners, and he thought if the subject was thoroughly investigated it would be found to be highly beneficial to the whole State.
On motion by Mr. GILLUM, a Special Committee of three was appointed, consisting of Messrs. Gillum, Walls and Kenner, to inquire into the necessity and benefits of such a law.
Mr. BERRYMAN, from the Committee on Rights and Privileges, submitted a report on the bill [H. R. 137] providing for the protection of fish, recommending the indefinite postponement of the bill.
The report was concurred in.
REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES.
Mr. FURNAS submitted a mi from the Agricultural Committee, on the bill [H. R. 48] to amend Section 2, concerning inclosures, trespassing animals and partition fences, recommending the passage of the bill, with certain amendments.
A majority report from the same Committee was also submitted on the same bill, recommending that the bill be indefinitely postponed.
The minority report was concurred in, and the bill ordered engrossed.
Mr. COTTON, from the Committee on Cities and Towns, submitted a report on the bill [H. R. 130] to amend Section 3 an act touching the page: 132[View Page 132] laying out of towns, etc., recommending that the bill lie on the table.
The report was concurred in.
Mr. COTTON, from the same Committee, reported on the bill [H. R. 108] to amend Section 3 of an act touching the laying out and vacating towns, streets and alleys, public squares etc., recommending the passage of the bill.
The report was concurred in and the bill ordered engrossed.
Mr. COTTON, from the Committee on Cities and Towns, reported on the bill [H. R. 270] to provide for a system of Common Schools, recommending its indefinite postponement.
The report was concurred in.
GRAVEL ROADS.
Mr. FLOYD from the Committee on Roads, reported on the bill [H. R. 55] to amend Section 7 of the act authorizing Boards County Commissioners to construct roads and issue bonds, recommending the indefinite postponement of the bill.
Mr. ADRIAN--This bill is in the interest of the people, and especially the farming community. Whatever is in the interest of the farmers is beneficial to the whole State, because agricultural growth is our first interest. We should seek to correct the errors of the past. What is it that has impeded our progress ad development in this State? It is our miserable and deplorable roads. In this matter we should heed the experience of other States as well as our own. Behold Ohio! What is it that has developed her resources, increased her commerce and place her on the high plane of agricultural development that she enjoys to-day? I answer, it is her great gravel road system. What has been accomplished in Ohio would soon be accomplished in Indiana, a State whose resources are almost on an equal and scarcely surpass by any other State in the Union. We are far behind our sister States in the Northwest in the improvement of our public highways, for which our former Legislatures alone responsible. The eyes of the people are anxiously turning to this Legislature with fond hopes that something will be done in their behalf. Shall they be disappointed, or shall they not? If you would return to your constituency with the assurance of a warm and fervent grasp of the hand, and with the exclamation of "Well done, good and faithful servant," you will give this measure your warm, cordial, and I trust undivided support.
On motion by Mr. KENNER the bill was recommitted to the Committee on Roads.
Mr. FLOYD submitted a report from the Committee on Roads on the bill [H. R. 88] authorizing the sale of plank, macadamized, etc., roads, under execution and empowering purchasers to recognize, with certain amendments, and when so amended, recommending its passage.
The report was concurred in, and the bill ordered engrossed.
REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES.
Mr. FLOYD, from the Roads Committee reported on the bill [H. R. 21] to amend an act relating to the appointment to Supervisors of Highways, with a recommendation that it be indefinitely postponed.
The report was concurred in.
A report was submitted from the Committee on Reformatory Institutions on the bill [H. R. 101] to repeal Section 19 of an act establishing a Female Prison and Reformatory Institution, recommending the passage of the bill with certain amendments.
The report was concurred in and the bill ordered engrossed.
Mr. STEWART, from the Committee on Reformatory Institutions, reported back the bil[H. R. 102] amendatory of the act establishing a House of Refuge, recommending its passage with amendments.
The report was concurred in and the bill ordered engrossed.
RAILROAD AID.
Mr. MURRAY, from a majority of the Committee on County and Township Business, reported on the bill [H. R. 83] repealing an act authorizing Counties and Townships to aid in the construction of railroads, recommending the passage of the bill.
Mr. FANCHER thought where the majority of the people of a County desire to vote a tax for the construction of a railroad they should have that right. There ought to be at least a saving clause in the bill.
Mr. THOMPSON said Elkhart County never voted but one tax for a railroad, and it was the wish of the people of his County that this law should be repealed. There is a vote now pending in that county for the further aid to a railroad.
Mr. HAMILTON--We can not live without the circulation of the blood. How are you going to carry on this country without the use railroad? Some of the best roads in the State have been built with the help of taxation. If people do not want to impose a tax, they have the power of the ballot to vote it down. If they can say they do not want it, why have a prohibitory law to say that those can not have it who do want it?
Mr. STEWART--If the gentleman over the way does not want a railroad I do not want him to become a guardian of my County, and prevent us from having one. I am opposed to any measure which will prohibit the people from voting aid to any improvement they want.
Mr MOODY--I believe the Democratic principle that a majority should rule, but a large per cent. of the people who vote on railroad aid propositions are person who do not own property, and thus impose heavy taxation upon other portions of the community. I believe this bill ought to pass.
On motion by Mr. Gibson, under the operation of the previous question the bill was recommitted to the Committee on Roads.
WORK FOR COMMITTEES.
The House then proceeded to the reading of bills by title only, for reference, and House bills numbered from 143 to 226 inclusive, were referred to appropriate Committees.
PASSED TO THE THIRD READING.
The following described bills were read the second time and ordered to be engrossed, except where otherwise stated.
The bill [H, R. 7] to provide for the protection of quails and pheasants.
The bill [H. R. 31] to amend Section 2 of an act concerting the organization of voluntary associations.
The bill [H. R. 53] to amend Section 1 of an act prescribing certain duties of Railroad Companies, requiring them to sound the whistle at the crossing of public highways, etc.
The bill [H. R. 81] to make appropriation to pay Benton County a portion of the extraordinary expenses incurred in the prosecution of a murderer.
The bill [H. R. 86] to regulate the practice of medicine and obstetrics in the State of Indiana.
The bill [H. R. 90] providing for the organization and government of the State Prison, for the confirmation of the Board of Trustees, etc., coming up--
On motion by Mr. CAUTHORNE, the Constitutional rule was suspended, and the bill read the second time by title only, and referred to the Committee on Prisons.
The bill [H. R. 117] concerning witnesses subpenaed on the part of State outside of the County in criminal cases, was referred to the Committee on Fees and Salaries.
The bill [H. R. 126] requiring Railroad Companies running in or through this State to remove page: 133[View Page 133] or destroy the rubbish and combustible matter that may be accumulated on the right, away.
The bill [H. R. 197] to amend an act touching guardian and ward.
The bill [H. R. 202] amending Section 126 of an act for the election and qualification of Justices of the Peace.
The bill [H. R. 203] amending Section 1 of an act relating to estrays and things adrift.
Mr. CAUTHORNE submitted a report from the Committee on Conference, to whom was referred the bill [S. 158]: Authorizing the Board of Revision to employ an additional Clerk, recommending that the Board of Revision of Laws be empowered to appoint two clerks for the use of the Board. Said clerks when not employed by the Board of Revision, shall assist in the engrossment of Senate and House bills under the direction of the Secretary of the Senate and Clerk of the House of Representatives. Such clerks shall receive the same compensation per diem as is now allowed the clerks on the Judiciary Committee, and when the bill is so amended, that it do pass.
The report was concurred in.
Then the House adjourned to meet to-morrow at 9 a. m.
