SENATE BILLS PASSED.
Mr. CAUTHORNE moved to suspend the constitutional rule that Senate bills may be read the first and second time by title only, snd the third time by sections, that they may be put on their passage.
The motion was agreed to--yeas, 71; nays, 2.
Senator Compton's bill [S. 5. See page 241 of these Reports] amending Sections 8, 17, and 18, of the act to regulate the workings of coal mines and providing for a Mine Inspector, was read the first and second time by title only--the third time by sections, and finally passed the House by--yeas, 73; nays, 2.
page: 273[View Page 273]Senator Viehe's bill [S. 180. See page 94] to amend Section 1 of an act for the protection of the Sabbath, and to provide penalities for the descration thereof, being read the first and second time by title only, and the third time by sections--
Mr. CAUTHORNE said the bill is intended simply to cover cases where one party executes a note to another on the Sabbath and dates it on a week day, and the note gets into the hands of innocent parties; so the payee can not set up a defense that it was actually executed on Sunday.
The bill passed--yeas, 65; nays, 13.
Mr. MILES moved to amend the title as follows: Strike out the title and insert the following: "To encourage the violation of the Sabbath."
On motion by Mr. SWITZER the amendment was laid on the table.
Mr. RYAN made an ineffectual effort to suspend the regular order and take up House bills on the third reading.
Senator Davis' bill [S. 328--see page 258 of these Reports] to authorize Judges of Circuit and Superior Courts to sign records in certain cases, was read the first and second time by title, and being read the third time--
Mr. NEFF said all this bill provides for is that the records of Courts be signed by the present Judge where left unsigned by a preceding occupant of the Bench.
The bill passed--yeas 77; nays, 0.
Senator Henry's bill [S. 175--see page 165] for the relief of the estate of Martin S. Pruit, deceased, Mr. Goldsbury and and William T. Wright, was read the first and second time by title, and the third time by sections and passed-yeas, 57; nays, 23.
Senator Coffey's bill [S. 41] to amend Section 48 of an act to divide the State into Circuits for judicial purposes [concernning Bartholomew and Brown Counties], fixing the time of holding Courts therein, abolishing the Courts of Common Pleas and transferring the business to Circuit Courts, and providing for the election of Judge and Prosecuting Attorney, was read the first and second time by title, and the third time by sections and passed--yeas, 74; nays, 0.
Senator Henry's bill [S. 241] fixing the compensation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives at $10 per day, was read the first and second time by title only, the third time by sections and failed to pass-yeas, 46; nays, 37.
Senator Poindexter's bill [S. 32-see page 85] to amend Section 2 of an act concerning the organizing of voluntary associations, etc., was read the first and second time by title only, the third time by sections and passed-yeas, 82; nays, 0.
Senator Bundy's bill [S. 50] to legalize the incorporation of the town of New Castle, Henry County, Indiana, and all additions made thereto, and the annexation of contiguous territory, etc., was read the first and second time by title only, and the third time and passed--yeas, 75; nays, 0.
On motion by Mr. KENNER it was ordered that when the House adjourn at noon to-day, it be to Monday next at 10:30 a. m.
Senator Van Vorhis' bill [S. 18--see pages 184 and 241] supplementary to an act approved March 14, 1869, repealing all general laws now in force for the incorporation of cities, providing for incorporation of cities, prescribing their powers, rights and manners in which they shall exercise the same, being read the first and second time by title only, and the third time by section--
Mr. CARTER said the bill did not affect any other city than Indianapolis, it being restricted to cities having 60,000 inhabitants. It makes a change in the election of officers, so as to make it occur in the fall instead of in the spring, as under existing law.
The bill passed--yeas, 74, nays, 1.
Mr. MEREDITH called up the bill [S. 241] fixing the compensation of the Speaker of the House at $10.
The SPEAKER said, for the information of the House, that this biill did not come here at his solicitation, and he desired it should be subject to the action of the House, as though it did not affect his interest.
Mr. ROBINSON, of Decatur, moved to amend I the bill by striking out the words "ten dollars" where it occurs, and inserting in lieu thereof "eight dollars."
The amendment was adopted.
On motion by Mr. MEREDITH, the amendment was considered engrossed.
Mr. WRIGHT said he would vote for the amendment fixing the Speaker's salary at $8 per day. There seemed to be a tendency on the part of the House to increase expenses and salaries instead of decreasing them.
Mr. MELRATH could not approve of an increase of almost 50 per cent. at this time.
Mr. CARR, of Morgan, said he could vote for the bill as amended.
Mr. MITCHELL did not consider the services of the Speaker of the House or Lieutenant Governor worth any more than that of the Members. The Members who occupy their seats upon the floor and those working in Committees labor from 9 a. m. in the morning until 10 and 12 p. m. at night. They are doing the work of the House. As a general thing, men are remunerated according to the work which they perform. Mr. McSHEEHY--It is a well known fact which every reasonable person will admit, that the duties of the Speaker of the House are greater than that of any other member. He is compelled to study night after night upon questions of parliamentary usage. Even with all this study it is sometimes difficult for him to decide questions. The Constitution plainly says that the per diem of the Lieutenant Governor shall be the same as the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and clearly indicates the fact that the intention of that instrument was that the Speaker should receive more than other members of the House. I am heartily in favor of this bill.
Mr. COLE demanded the previous question, which was seconded by the House, ad under its operations the bill passed--yeas, 51; nays 29.
Mr. COLE made a motion, which was lost, that the regular order be suspended and that the Committee on Agriculture be requested to report immediately on the bill [H. R. 417] to encourage the destruction of birds that kill poultry, and that the House go into Committee of the Whole thereon.
Senator Van Vorhis' bill [S. 93. See pages 83 and 199] to establish a State Board of Health to consist of four members to be appointed by the Governor, was read the third time.
Mr. EDWINS said this bill simply provides for a Board of Health to be appointed by the Governor. Such Board are to receive no pay during their term of office with the exception of their expenses. The expense of the entire Board was only $5,000 a year--the cheapest Board of Health in the land. He said the bill was a facsimile of the one in operation in Michigan, with the exception of Township Boards.
Mr. LINSDAY said there was a great deal of misunderstanding about this bill; that it created no County expenses,as is supposed by some.
Mr. CAUTHORNE moved to reconsider the vote by which the time to adjourn was fixed from 12 o'clock to Monday at 10.30 a. m.
The motion to reconsider was agreed to.
Then came the recess till 2 o'clock.
