AFTERNOON SESSION.
PUBLIC OFFENSES.
The Senate returned to the bill S. 393.
Committee amendments to over twenty sections were adopted.
Mr. MARVIN said there are small streams all over the State that dry up in the summer, but have fish in them in November. He moved to amend so as allow a six foot dip net to be used in that month in any creek.
Mr. HENRY objected to this proviso.
Mr. LANGDON was sure the people desired the fish protected. Under such amendments poachers would be on hand and the streams would be depopulated of food fishes. Fishes in the streams of Indiana are almost all gone. It is said one acre of pure water will produce more food product than five acres of land. Let us join hands on the subject of protecting and propagating fishes, and in time more can be taken by hook and line than by seine now. Fish food in Indiana is the rich man's food, because the streams are so depleted that fish are costly, and are imported from other States. He opposed the amendment.
Mr. WILSON also objected to the amendment. Let such amendments be withheld for two years, and he hoped, under the auspices of the Fish Commission, much advantage will be seen from its operation.
Mr. MARVIN withdrew his amendment.
On motion by Mr. LOCKRIDGE, Section 163 was amended so as to prohibit the malicious depositing of any putrid, noisome or offensive substance on any public highway.
INDIANA COAST SURVEY.
On motion by Mr. RISTINE, the bill [H.R. 359--see page 112, vol. 20.] relating to the operation of the United States Court and geodetic survey in the State of Indiana was read the second time by title and the third time by sections under a dispensation of the rules.
Mr. RISTINE said this a measure which costs the State of Indiana nothing, and will result in great benefit to the State. The purpose of this bill is to aid the survey to be made and enable stations to be erected on elevated knobs--perhaps one or more in a County. Another object of the bill is to protect a permanent monument that is to be placed the earth and prevent it from being removed.
The bill passed--yeas, 86; nays, 1.
SALES BY INFANTS.
On motion by Mr. FOSTER, the bill [H. R. 124] relating to sales by infants of real and personal property, providing for disaffirming such sales and recovery of the property, was read the third time.
Mr. BELL--It provides that an infant femme covert can not, after making a conveyance, set it aside without repaying the consideration, and in other cases where an infant falsely represents to be of lawful age, the same requirements follow.
Mr. MENZIES objected to the bill, especially to the second section, which proposes to strike down the shield for infants.
Mr. BELL insisted this bill was in the interest of common honesty, and intended to strike the sword from the hand of infants and not to touch the shield.
Mr. BROWN said: This bill, if passed into a law, would affect past as well as future transaction. Upon principle it is unwise to overturn a law upon the subject of contracts without a saving clause that it shall apply to the future only. This bill leaves a port open by which the greatest kind of frauds could be perpetrated. He gave reasons why the bill should not pass.
Mr. FOSTER advocated the passage of the bill.
Mr. HENRY declared this bill to be in the interest of grossest dishonesty.
Mr. CHAPMAN thought the bill ought to be recommitted. The second section states what the law should be, in his judgment.
On motion by Mr. BUNDY, the bill was referred to a Select Committee of three.
HUSBAND AND WIFE.
On motion by Mr. COMSTOCK, the Senate voted to adhere to its amendments to the bill [H. R. 219] concerning husband and wife, and ask for a Committee of Free Conference.
The Senate took recess till 7:30 o'clock.
