RELEASE OF BONDSMEN.
Mr. Henry's bill IS. 175] to relieve the estate of deceased Trustee--Martin S. Pruitt--in Madison County, being read the third time--
Mr. HENRY explained the situation: Funds were deposited in First National Bank of Madison, which failed, so the money was lost, He argued in favor of the passage of the bill.
Mr. MENZIES questioned the right of the State to declare a judgment satisfied, after it becomes a vested right in the inhabitants of a Township.
Mr. LANGDON said: Once throw down the bars and permit bills like this to be passed through the Legislature, and almost every class of excuses will be presented that can be conceived in order to escape liability on the part of bondsmen for those who have had custody of the public moneys.
Mr. TRAYLOR admitted there may be merits in this case, but the more merit there is in such a case, is not it all the more dangerous to place such enactments upon the statute books? If this is to go on much longer it may be a serious question as to whether or not to do away with all contracts. Being a dangerous precedent, he should vote against all such bills.
Mr. VOYLES doubted the propriety of such legislation, but being on the Committee, and hearing that every one in the Township affected was willing to see the bill passed, and that if would be like taking bread from the mouths of this deceased Trustee's children, this case appeals so strongly to humanity that his conscience was satisfied this relief would be proper.
Mr. COMSTOCK believed the facts stated show this Trustee had used great diligence, such as calls for relief from this body.
Mr. MENZIES favored bill under protest, on account of the peculiar circumstances connected with the case. He did not believe in the principle.
The bill passed--yeas, 30; nays, 7.
Mr. Compton's bill [S. 40] to amend Section 3 of the act of March 3, 1877, to provide for Township elections, being read the third time--
Mr. COMPTON explained that the bill changes rs the commencement of the term of Assessor from April to the 1st of September.
The bill passed by yeas, 36; nays, 0.
And then the Senate adjourned.
