RECESS OF THE ASSEMBLY
Mr. BUSKIRK offered a resolution, the Senate concurring, that each branch of the General Assembly adjourn on Friday. March 11, 188l, at noon, until Wednesday, March 16, 1881, at 10 a. m.
Mr. NEFF thought the House would make a mistake by adjourning, as he did not consider the Constitutional Amendments of sufficient importance to adjourn the General Assembly to attend the election. There is not sufficient difference. The parties are too equally divided here for anybody to claim that it will change the result. He thought the members would have much more influence here than to go home to electioneer.
Mr. MITCHELL was opposed to the resolution to adjourn for so long a time as the resolution provides.
Mr. STEWART moved to amend the resolution by striking out "Friday" and insert "Saturday;" strike out "Wednesday" and insert "Tuesday at 2 p. m."
Mr. NEFF made an ineffectual motion to lay the resolution and amendment on the table.
Mr. MEREDITH thought the Legislature ought to hold its sessions right along so as to get through, as the spring work was coming on, when it becomes more necessary for members to be at home. He favored continuing the sessions and excusing from four to six members at a time to go home.
Mr. ADRIAN insisted that members of this House are interested in the passage of these amendments, and to that end they ought to be at home at least for a few days previous to the election.
Mr. GIBSON thought it would be better for the people of the State if the members were at home to work up an interest. He said he voted for the amendments and he wanted the House to adjourn so that members could go home to hold public meetings.
Mr. THOMPSON was opposed to any adjournment on the ground that it would be an injustice to ourselves and our constituents. He thought there was enough of interest throughout the State in the amendments without the assistance of the Legislators.
Mr. LINSDAY entered a protest against the adjournment. He thought the forty days would be fully consumed without adourning. He thought if the Members would do their duty in the Legislature the people would do the same on the constitutional question.
Mr. FALL thought it would be beneficial for this body to go home and stay several days, even if there was no election.
Mr. COMPTON said the eyes of the epople of Indiana are upon us. While he was in favor of the Constitutional Amendments, and of trying to renew an interest in this question before them, he did not think the people were willing that the House should adjourn simply to go home and shake hands with the people and vote for or against the amendments.
Mr. FLOYD thought it apparent that the people were not very well informed upon this subject; that the amendments of themselves were of sufficient importance to justify members going home and making a few speeches in favor of them. He thought there ought to be due deference paid to the importance of the measures placed before the people.
Mr. BARNETT said the people are wide awake in this matter--that they need no stirring up. He wanted the Legislature to stay here and do the business before it, and the people would take care of the amendments.
Mr. LINDLEY lived but twenty-one miles from here, and wanted to record his vote in the ballot box.
Mr. GILLUM moved to indefinitely postpone the resolution.
Mr. BAKER made an ineffectual motion to lay the motion to indefinitely postpone on the table--yeas, 31; nays, 51.
The resolution was indefinitely postponed--yeas, 48; nays, 40.
