AFTERNOON SESSION.
Mr. GARDNER offered a concurrent resolution that 2000 copies of the Geological and Statistic Reports be issued to members for the purpose of aistributon among schools, the cost not to exceed thirty cents per copy.
The resolution was adopted.
Mr. TETER moved to strike out of the second section the clause that the Juror has formed or expressed an opinion as to the guilt or innocence of the defendant. He said: My experience is this: I have found it very dangerous to trust a Juror after he has said under oath that he has formed or expressed an opinion as to the guilt or innocence of the defendant. I do not care how honest a man may be, if he has formed or expressed an opinion, how does he know whether he can rid himself of that opinion or not. I think this a dangerous feature, and ought to be stricken out.
Mr. BUSKIRK thought this law would be an innovation upon the old rule, and wanted the amendment to prevail. He thought, as a general rule, men form stronger convictions from what they read than that which they learn by hearsay. He opposed the law as it stands, and favored the amendment.
Mr. RYAN--A criminal case means an investigation of the defendant. I submit, gentlemen, whether a fair and just investigation can be had with anything else but an intelligent Court and Jury? At the present time trials in many instances are an absolute mockery of justice because by the rule of sifting process of shrewd lawyers, they are enabled to bamboozle the Jury, and arrest the criminal from the justice consequent on violation of the law. It is far better to have a learned and intelligent Juror, although he may have read a newspaper account and partially formed an opinion, than an illiterate person, who never reads a paper. I think the amendment ought not to prevail.
Mr. MOODY thought the amendment ought to prevail, because there was no good reason why any man in this country, where there are plenty of men unprejudiced, should place a person who has formed an opinion in the jury box. He thought the human mind was not capable of reading and hearing evidence without becoming prejudiced against the guilty party.
Mr. KENNER considered a man wholly unfit to serve on a Jury after he has formed or expressed an opinion, and such a man ought to be excluded.
Mr. BERRYMAN said every man has opinions formed from reading, or hearsay, but they are not always conclusive ones, and are liable to be changed by the evidence in the case. He preferred being tried by a Jury of twelve men who have read papers and formed opinions, than twelve men who never read the papers. He favored having intelligent Jurymen who read papers, etc., and wanted the section to remain as it is.
Mr MITCHELL thought an intelligent man changes his opinion when he has sufficient reasons, and, therefore, was not in favor of the adoption of this amendment.
Mr. TETER considered some of the reasons given in opposition to the adoption of his amendment as palpable absurdities.
The amendment was rejected.
REVENUE BILLS.
On motion by Mr. KENNER, the House resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole (Mr. Stewart in the Chair) for the consideration of the bills to raise revenue.
Mr. Cauthorne's bill [H. R. 407] to provide revenue to complete the State House, etc., being read--
Mr. CAUTHORTE said he desired the Commissioners to have plenty of funds so that the work of construction will go on regularly, and for that purpose the bill was designed. On his motion, the Committee recommended its passage.
Mr. Kenner's bill [H. R. 408] to levy an annual tax for the purpose of raising revenue for the State being read--
Mr. Meredith's bill [H. R. 409] to authorize and provide for the payment of the war loan bonds of the State, being read--
Mr. Huston's bill [H. R. 415] to provide for and authorize the payment of the temporary loan debt of the State, authorizing the levying of taxes, etc., being read--
They were severally ordered to be reported for the favorable action of the House.
On a motion by Mr. THOMPSON, the Committee rose, and--
Mr. STEWART, the Chairman of the Committee of the Whole, reported as directed.
The report was concurred in.
NEW PROPOSITIONS.
By consent, the following described bills were introduced and read the first time. page: 233[View Page 233]By Mr. KENNER'S [H. R. 422]: making appropriation for the year 1882 and 1883 for the State Government, etc., being read--
On motion by Mr. KENNER, the bill was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
By Mr. HINTON [H. R. 423]: To dissolve the Board of Commissioners of the Indiana Hospital for the Insane, and transferring their rights, duties and responsibilities to the regular Board of Commissioners of said Institution.
By Mr. VAWTDR (H. R. 424]: To amend Section 3 of an act to incorporate the town of Vernon, Jennings County, approved June 1, 1851.
Then the House adjourned till to morrow.
