HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Friday January, 14, 1881-1:30 p. m.The session was opened with prayer by Rev. Mr. Chamberlain, of the Eleventh Presbyterian Church.
The reading of the Journal of yesterday was concluded, after two motions to dispense with it had been rejected.
Mr Cauthorne moved to take up the bill [H. R. 34] providing for the election of Police Judges in cities of more than 60,000 inhabitants, and upon objections being made with drew his motion till the completion of the call of Counties for the introduction of bills.
The following bills were introduced, read the first time and passed to the second reading:
By Mr. Meredith [H. R. 76]: Supplemental to an act establishing a Female Reformatory--authorizing the construction of a sewer from said institution.
By Mr. Floyd [H. R. 77]: To provide for the purchase of toll roads and the construction of free gravel roads by County Commissioners.
By Mr. Meredith [H.R. 78]: Providing for the organization and government of State Prisons, and repealing all conflicting laws. It consolidates the management of both Prisons into the hands of five Directors, to be chosen from both political parties, by nomination by the Governor, instead of separating the Prisons and giving their directions to each as under the present system. This Board shall have an office in Indianapolis, and shall choose a Secretary and the Wardens, the latter to have the appointment of guards, etc. It provides, also, that any improvement or experiment may be made by order of the Directors without cost to the State.
Mr. Cummins [H. R. 79]: Amending the act relating to attorney's fees, declaring all agreements in written instruments to pay such fees null and void.
Also [H. R. 80]: Extending the jurisdiction of the Criminal Circuit of the County of Vigo.
By Mr. Carr, of White and Benton [H. R. 81]; Making an appropriation to pay the County of Benton $1,400 for the extraordinary expenses incurred in the arrest, trial and conviction of J. L. McCalloch for murder.
By Mr. Carr, of Whitley [H. R. 82]: Amending Section 2 of the divorce law, requiring applicant to give bond for costs.
Mr. Cauthorne again moved to suspend the rules so as to take up the Police Judge bill [H. R. 34], but the motion failed to obtain the constitional majority of two-thirds--yeas, 63; nays, 25.
Mr. Buskirk called up his resolution of yesterday, to allow each member under the call of Counties to introduce but one bill for each County represented by him, which was amended so as to read "two" instead of "one."
Mr. Carter said that the proposed change would consume more time than the rule as it now stands. The change only effects a few Counties, and Marion County especially. It is not the fault of Representatives from Marion County that it is a large County. A good many people live there and their Representatives should be allowed to introduce bills for whatever legislation the people require. When the time comes she always rolls up a good Republican majority.
Mr. Mitchell thought the proposed change would not consume any more time than the rule as it now stands.
Mr. Miles moved to lay the resolution on the table. The motion was rejected--yeas 39; nays, 51.
Mr. Cauthorne opposed the resolution for a change, because the present rule works well.
Mr. Lindlay thought the change would work unequally, giving members representing more than one County advantage over other members.
Mr. Kenner read from the rules of the House showing that the call would not hereafter be frequent.
Messrs Thompson, Hamilton, Floyd, and Moody spoke in opposition to the resolution.
Mr. Buskirk disclaimed any intention to bring poltics into this matter. He had considerable respect for Marion County,although it gives a large Republican vote.
The resolution was adopted--yeas 46; nays 43.
Then came the recess till 2 o'clock.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The following described bills were introduced, read the first time, and passed to the second reading:
By Mr. Thompson [H. R. 83]: To repeal an act authorizing Township aid to railroads. Also,[H. R. 84]: To secure purity in elections, requiring Inspectors and Judges of Election to write their names on each ballot.
By Mr. Teter [H. R. 85]: To establish a uniform method of computing interest when partial payments have been made.
By Mr. McIntosh [H. R. 86]: To regulate the practice of medicine, surgery and obstetrics.
By Mr. Cooper [H.R. 87]: To repeal Section 414 of the act regulating pleading and practice, approved June 18, 1852.
By Mr. Berryman [H. R. 88]: To authorize the sale on execution of any plank, McAdamized or gravel road.
By Mr. Ryan [H. R. 89]: To authorize Boards of cities and towns to appropriate the revenues derived from liquor licenses to the sustaining of Public Libraries.
By Mr. Taylor [H. R. 90]: To repeal an act regulating the inspection of petroleum.
By Mr. Meredith [H. R. 91]: To encourage immigration.
By Mr. Bryant [H. R. 92]: To amend Sections 7 and 9 of the law authorizing the construction of gravel roads, limiting cash to $30,000. Also, [H. R. 93]: For the relief of John B. Hance recent Treasurer page: 48[View Page 48] of Clinton County, the loss of public money by robbery.
By Mr. McCormick [H. R. 94]: Regulating foreign Life Insurance Companies; Providing that in the absence of an agent a policy-holder may deposit his payment in bank and notify the Company of such deposit, which shall constitute a valid payment. Also, [H. R. 95]: Regulating fire Insurance Companies: Providing that in case of total loss by fire the amount of the policy shall be considered the amount of damages, and that the Company may rebuild by allowing the owner a reasonable rental fort he property for the time he is deprived of its use.
By Mr. Lindlay [H. R. 96]: To establish a State Publid School for dependent children; also [H. R. 97], to prevent the playing of cards and other games in places where liquor is sold.
By Mr. Moody [H. R. 98]: For the relief of Silas J. Brandon, Township Trustee of DeKalb County, for public money stolen.
By Mr. Hinton [H. R. 99]: To provide for the call of a Constitutional Convention.
By Mr. Gibson [H. R. 100]: To amend Section 1 of an act fixing the pay and mileage of members of the General Assembly--the Speaker to receive ten dollars and the other members six dollars per day, and mileage at the rate of five dollars or every twenty-five miles traveled in coming to and returning from the Capital.
Mr. Kenner offered a resolution, which was adopted. that the House inquire into the expediency of re-laying the corner-stone of the new State House, so as to insert therein a record of the part taken by Indians in the late war.
Mr. Sinclair offered a resolution,which adopted, that the Clerk enter upon the journal of to-day's proceedings the rules adopted on the 12th instant.
A message from the Senate announced the passage, by that body, of a concurrent resolution that, on next Wednesday, after the election of a United States Senator, the two Houses proceed to elect a State Librarian ; and subsequently--
On motion of Mr. Fall, this concurrent resolution was concurred in.
Mr. Cauthorne, from the Committee to which was referred so much of the message of Governor Gray and the inaugural address of the present Governor as related to the deceased Governor, Jomes D. Williams, submitted a report,which which was made the special order for next Thursday at 2 o'clock.
Mr. Fall offered a resolution, which was adopted, that the Committee on Mileage and Account be requested to report at their earliest convenience.
Mr. Fancher offered a resolution, which was adopted, that the Clerk of the House be ordered to supply lithograph letter-heads for use of the Committees.
Mr. Gillam offered a resolution, which was adopted, that the State Librarian be requested to furnish the House with such copies of the Statutes as are now in the Library.
The House adjourned till 10 o'clock to-morrow.
