AFTERNOON SESSION.
Mr. Gibson's bill [H. R. 378] to amend an act to repeal the general laws now in force for the incorporation of cities, providing for the incorporation of cities, etc., approved March 4, 1867, was read the third time and passed--yeas, 72; nays, 0.
GRAND AND PETIT JURORS.
The Revision Committee reported on the bill [H. R. 486] concerning grand and petit jurors, recommending its passage with amendments.
The report was concurred in, and the bill was read the second time.
Mr. BENHAM moved to amend by adding "Provided that the several drawing jurors provided for in this act shall be in the presence of the Sheriff and Auditor of the County.'
Mr. BENHAM said in support of his amendment that the bill was designed to provide for non-partisan Juries, and under the bill without the amendment the Clerk who desired could draw from the box his party friends, and thereby defeat the object of the bill, but should the amendment prevail such a course could not be accomplished; and he hoped the amendment would prevail.
Mr. LINSDAY said: I believe the amendment to be a good one, and ought to go in. When the Sheriff does the drawing there ought to be somebody present. There certainly can be no harm in having the Sheriff and Auditor by.
The amendment was adopted.
Mr. KENNER moved to suspend the constitutional rule that the bill be considered engrossed, read the third time and put upon its passage.
The motion was agreed to--yeas, 67; nays, 14.
The bill was read the third time and passed--yeas, 59; nays, 19.
MARSHALL COUNTY.
Mr. Sumner's bill [H. R. 306] revoking certain acts of the Board of Trustees of Center Township, Marshall County, was read a third time.
Mr. SUMNER said the men for whom this relief is asked are men of limited means. They have paid their full rate of assurety upon this mortgage. The tax-payers of my Township have felt interest enough in these parties to ask this honorable body to grant this relief. The petition that has been sent up to us is signed by H. G. Thayer, a heavy tax-payer of our County; also by all three bankers and the leading farmers, and I ask you as a matter of justice and equity to give your vote in favor of this bill.
Mr. WOLF said he knew most of the parties signing this petition, and knew that they were not prompted by a political motive.
Mr. FANCHER said he was personally acquainted with this matter and thought the relief should be granted, as the Township has been reimbursed by taxation.
The bill passed--yeas, 69; nays. 6.
Mr. Wright's bill [H. R. 334] to amend Section 28 of an act providing for the election and qualification of Justice of the Peace, defining their jurisdiction, duties, powers, etc., in civil cases, approved June 9, 1852, was read the third time and passed--yeas, 73; nays, 0.
STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE.
Mr. Huston's bill [H. R. 136] to appropriate $60,000 to pay the indebtedness of the State Board of Agriculture was read the third time.
Mr. HUSTON--This bill provides that the Agricultural Society shall issue $60,000 worth of bonds, which shall bear 6 per cent. interest annually, and be secured by mortgage upon the Agricultural grounds. Said new bonds shall be due in ten years, but redeemable in five years, at option of Board--sixty days notice having been given; also, authorizes T. A. W. Davis, Trusteee, to whom a mortgage second in effect was given to secure a debt of $25,000, due the State, to return the same to the State and allow first mortgage to be given for $60,000 loan, and then taking new second mortgage to secure the amount due the State. The bill also appropriates the sum of $4,000 for 1881, and like sum for 1882, out of general fund for paying of interest on the $60,000.
Mr. MEREDITH said the State Agricultural Society first asked for an appropriation of $60,000, and afterward changed their views with reference to it, and they now ask simply for a loan of $60,000. It leaves the State in the same condition as it is now, and allows the State Agricultural Association to make a new loan.
The bill passed--yeas, 54; nays, 18.
3 PER CENT. FUND.
Senator Voyle's bill [S. 72] in relation to the 3 per cent. fund remaining unexpended, authorizing its application for repair of roads, was read the third time.
Mr. MITCHELL said this bill applies, perhaps, only to Washington County. This bill simply has reference to the 3 per cent. fund appropriated by the United States.
In 1816 the United States passed an act giving to the State of Indiana certain lands for the purpose of internal improvements for making, and preparing roads, building, purhasing, and so on. We have between $5,000 and $6,000 in our Treasury and it has never been put out; and I want to get that money out upon our roads. It is used there as a kind of accommodation fund. It is discretionary with the County Commisioners to put out this fund. This act will make it obligatory upon the Commissioners to distribute this money among the Townships of the County. In 1874 there was the sum of $6,380.85 allowed and paid by the United States to the State of Indiana. Instead of paying that money to the different Counties of the State, it was put into the general fund, and the Counties of the State have not received any benefit from it.
Mr. BUSKIRK--I have some doubts as to whether this money can be distributed for this purpose. In order that this bill will have a fair showing I move that it be made a special order for next Tuesday at 9 a. m.
The motion was agreed to.
The SPEAKER announced the regular order to be consideration of the bill [H. R. 271] civil proceeding.
The reading was resumed, commencing at Section 288.
Mr. CAUTHORNE moved to amend to strike out all of Section 317 of the printed bill. He said: This section applies to taking depositions orally, requiring a notice of the name of the person whose deposition is to be taken.
The amendment was adopted.
The House adjourned till to-morrow.
