AFTERNOON SESSION.
By Mr. Wilson [S. 61]: Defining the Sixth Forty-second Circuits, and fixing the times holding Courts therein.
By Mr. Comstock [S. 62]: To remove disabilities in coverture- provided that married women shall not have power to incumber her real estate except by deed, in which her husband shall join.
By Mr. Sayre [S. 63]: To amend Section 26 of the fee and salary bill, approved March 31, 18 relating to Sheriffs.
By Mr. Owen [S. 64]: To amend Section 1 of city and town bond-issue act for the purpose of reducing indebtedness, approved March 24, 187 page: 43[View Page 43] so that towns having a less indebtedness than $100,000 may take advantage of the provisions of te act which now is limited to $30,000.
By Mr. Urmston [S.35] To amend Section 766 of the general practice act, approved June 18, 1852.
By Mr. Brown [S. 66]:To amend Section 1 of an act to amend Section 20 of the general practice approved June 17 1852, approved March 10, 1873--the Section concerning competent witnesses.
By Mr. Kramer [S. 67]; To extend the term of office of Town Trustees to two years; one-half the number to go out of office annually.
Mr. Shaffer, by consent, offered a resolution, which was adopted, for a Committee of three to draft suitable resolutions upon the life and death of B. O. Davenport, who died while a member of this body. The Lieutenant Governor subsequently made this Committee to consist of Messrs. Shaffer, Hefron and White.
By Mr. Langdon [S. 68] To provide for determining, allowing and paying claims against the State and constituting the Auditor, Secretary and Treasurer of State a Board of Claims.
Mr. Owen moved that his bill [S. 64] be taken up, the constitutional restriction requiring bills to be read through on three several days dispensed with, the bill read by title only for the second reading, considered engrossed, read the third time by sections, and put on its passage. He explained that the present law confines the benefits therein to towns having an indebtedness not exceeding $30,000. His own town of Covington has an indebtedness of $80,000, and an opportunity is presented to fund it at a less rate of interest than she is at present paying. With the amendment proposed, increasing the $30,000 to $100,000, Covington can have the advantages of the law.
The motion was agreed to by a two-thirds standing votes. The bill was pressed to its final reading and passed by yeas 37,nays 1.
Mr. Foster offered a concurrent resolution to authorize the printing of all laws containing an emergency clause, in the order of enactment,as soon as possible thereafter, in sufficient numbers to supply all Clerks' and Auditors' offices and Bar Associations of the State.
Mr. Van Vorhis objected to the resolution, on the score of expense.
Mr. Foster insisted the expense would be trifling, if any, as the laws have to be put in type any how, and that can be done as they are passed, the Printing Bureau sending out proof sheets, the to remain standing until printed off for the acts as published in book form.
On motion by Mr. Van Vorhis, the resolution laid on the table--yeas,25; nays, 14.
The following described bills were introduced and read the first time:
By Mr. Foster: A bill [S. 69] to regulate the practice of medicine in Indiana.
By Mr. Rahm [S. 70]: To enable Dr. D. C. Doig, of Evansville, to change his name to James Herbert Egan.
By Mr. Menzies [S. 71]: To amend Section 784 of general practice act of June 18, 1852.
By Mr. Voyles [S. 72]: Authorizing the distribution of unexpended 3 per cent. funds by Commissioners to Trustees of the several Townships.
On motion by Mr. Bundy, his bill [S. 50],to legalize acts of the incorporation of the town of New Castle, was taken up. He desired to press it the third reading and put it on its passage today.
Mr. Langdon objected to the passing of such bills--not knowing anything about the facts in the case. This bill may be right, but in most of this kind there is controversy, and sometimes serious difficulties arise. He insisted such bills ought to be referred and considered by the proper Committee.
Mr. Bundy stated that the bill is offered at the request of the Board of Town Trustees, and he had never heard of any opposition to it. For several years there have been questions as to the validity of some taxes assessed. but the bill is drawn more broadly to cover other questions connected with acts done under the acts of incorporation, in the annexation of contiguous lands, etc.
Mr. Urmston remembered a portion of last session was taken up in passing legalizing bills. He did not like to encourage negligence and carelessness in acting under city and town incorporations and other laws. A bill like this, covering every defective act of such a Board, is entirely too sweeping. If the author will confine the terms of his bill to certain acts, it might be unobjectionable.
Mr. Menzies required whether the Board had the power to do what they have attempted and failed through some informality.
Mr. Bundy did not really believe it was such an informality as would invalidate the collection of taxes, but there is doubt about it. He thought the main trouble in the levying of taxes, and he desired to have the annexation of contiguous territory legalized.
Mr. Brown saw no objection to the provisions of the bill, as far as the Senator from Henry, (Mr. Bundy) has referred to them.
Mr. Van Vorhis could not see any harm to come from allowing this bill to go through the scrutiny of a Committee. It is too early in the session to commence passing legalizing acts.
Mr. Bundy withdrew his motion.
Mr. Benz introduced a bill [S. 73] to amend Section 3 of an act of June 9, 1852, for the regulation of weights and measures, which was read the first time.
And then the Senate adjourned.
