SENATE BILLS ON THE SECOND READING.
Mr. Urmston's bill [S. 65] to amend Section 766 of the general practice act, was read the second time, with two Committee reports, the majority recommending indefinite postponement of the bill and the minority recommending its passage.
The bill and reports were made the special order for to-morrow at 10:30 o'clock.
Mr. Hart's bill [S. 101] to amend Section 315 of the general practice act of June 18, 1852, [see these reports of January 18] was read the second time with a Committee report recommending indefinite postponement.
Mr. HART hoped this report would not be concurred in. In his District they have been in the habit of holding Courts four times a year, and the Judge believes a saving of one-third could be made under such a bill as this.
The report was concurred in.
The joint resolution [S. 4] requesting Congressmen to favor the passage of a law pensioning soldiers of the Mexican and Florida War was read the second time, and referred to the Committee on Rights and Privileges, with instructions to strike out all in reference to Mexican soldiers--a similar resolution concerning them having already passed.
Mr. Kramer's bill [S. 104] to amend Section 2 page: 143[View Page 143] and 4 f the Common School law [See these reports January 18], also his bill [S. 67] to extend terms of Township Trustees, were read the second time and ordered engrossed.
Mr. Wilson's bill [S. 167] authorizing the Governor to appoint all officers now elected by the Legislature, being read the second time with a Committee report, recommending that it lie on the table--
Mr. WILSON feared if the Committee report were concurred in, that it would be the last of the bill. It is said that the time for legislation is too short. To illustrate the point aimed at in this bill, he referred to the time taken up in consideration of claims. Congress set a good example by creating a Court of Claims. The bill is intended to take away an issue that takes up probably one-quarter or nearer one-third of the of the time of the General Assembly in caucussing and filling the offices in the gift of the body. It is designed to relieve members of this button-holing process, so that they can the better attend to the business properly before them. The bill proposes to place the appointment of all the officers elective by the General Assembly into the hands of the Governor. This may be only an effort like that of John the Baptist in the Wilderness--preparing the way for the enactment of such a measure at some time in the future.
The Senate refused to concur in the Committee's report, but ordered the bill engrossed.
Mr. Smith's bill [S. 16] authorizing cities to consolidate Wards was read the second time, and ordered engrossed for the third reading.
Mr. Voyles' bill [S. 72] authorizing the distribution of unexpended 3 per cent. funds to Township Trustees by County Boards, was read the second time and ordered engrossed.
Mr. Rahm's bill [S. 13] to reduce interest on school loans from 8 to 6 per cent., was read the second time and ordered engrossed.
And then the Senate adjourned.
