THE
BREVIER LEGISLATIVE REPORTS.
VOLUME
NINETEEN.
INDIANA LEGISLATURE.
IN SENATE.
SATURDAY, January 22, 1881-10 a. m.The Senate was not in session to-day.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
SATURDAY, January 22, 1881-10 a. m.The session was opened with prayer by Rev. Father Aug. Bessoinies, of the Roman Catholic Cathedral of this city, and Vicar General of this Diocese, after which--
The reading of the Journal was commenced, when--
On motion, the reading thereof was further dispensed with.
Mr. CAUTHORNE moved that the regular order of business be suspended, and that Senate Bill [S. 53] be taken up, which was agreed to.
And thereupon the bill [S. 53], to amend Sections 3, 44, 49, 50, 52 and 53 of an act granting to the citizens of Evansville, in the County of Vanderburg, a city charter, and section amending Sections 4,5, 26, 35, 43 and 58 of an act granting to the city of Evansville a city charter, approved June 27, 1847, and March 7, 1873, and also to amend Sections 36 and 58 of an act granting to the citizens of Evansville a city charter, approved January 1847, and adding a supplementary clause thereto, abolishing a City Collector, was read the first time.
Mr. CAUTHORNE moved that the Constitutional rule be dispensed with, in order that the bill may be read the second time by title, the third time by sections, and put upon its passage now.
The motion was agreed to--yeas, 81; nays, 0--and accordingly the bill was read the second time by title and the third time by sections.
Mr. CAUTHORNE said this bill was an amendment to the charter of the city of Evansvil.e, and, as he believed was indorsed not only by the Representatives of the County of Vanderburg on this floor, but by their Senator; and was a measure greatly desired by the tax-payers of Evansville, and, therefore, he hoped it would pass.
The bill was then finally passed by yeas, 77; nays, none.
Mr. KENNER offered a resolution, that the House meet on and after Tuesday, January 25, 1881,at9 o'clock a, m., and that there be no afternoon session until further ordered by the House. He spoke in support of this resolution, stating that a number of members on the Revision of the Laws and other Committees desire to be present at Committee meetings and can not under the present rules requiring an afternoon session. Printed bills are now being distributed among members, which require their careful consideration. These bill should, each one, be scrutinized in the Committee Room. Some members may think we have not much to do; but it is said that this Revision Committee will have to consider several hundred bills. If the House shall meet at 9 o'clock a.m., it may continue in session till 1, which would give about the same time we usually occupy in the forenoon and afternoon session both together. Then by holding a continuous session, commencing at 9 o'clock, the afternoon could be occupied by the Committee meetings, which would expedite business as fast, if ot faster, than by having to sessions of the House a day.
Mr. GIBSON proposed a substitute, making the session hours from 9:30 till 1 o'clock, until otherwise ordered.
The SPEAKER--Under the rules of the House these motions lie over for one day, as they propose to change a rule of the House.
Mr. KENNER withdrew his resolution.
A message from the Senate by Mr. Charles Brouse, Principal Secretary therof, announced the concurrence of that body in the House amendments to the bill [S. 106], legalizing a conveyance of land made by the Commissioners of Wabash County.
Also, the passage by that body of a joint resolution [S. 9], in relation to Congressional interference so as to prevent the spread of pleuro-aneumonia and other contagious diseases among domestic cattle.
Also, the passage by the Senate of engrossed bill [S. 86], appropriating over $16,000 to pay minute men, Home Guards, members of the Indiana Legion and others who served in the late war under orders of the Governor.
Also, the passage by that body of the bill [S. 10], authorizing County Commissioners to convey cemeteries.
Mr, FULLER offered a resolution to pay an as- page: 74[View Page 74] sistant doorkeeper, in charge of the cloak-room, $5 a day and the same mileage as paid other employes of the House.
Mr. FLOYD understood a resolution was already adopted authorizing payment of employes the same as last session.
Mr. FULLER was aware of that, but the House then had no such an employe as this. It is a new place, not known to the House before.
Mr. MILES moved the reference of the resolution to a Special Committee of Three.
Mr. FULLER referred to a report made by the Doorkeeper, the other day, in which that official named the pay of other employes, but stated, as this was a new position, the pay would be left for the House to fix.
The SPEAKER remembered the passage of some such resolution as that referred to, but its terms were not sufficienlly plain to justify the Chair in signing warrants in favor of a per diem to employes of $5; and he would decline to allow that sum until the resolution shall be so construed by action of the House.
On motion by Mr. CAUTHORNE, the resolution was referred to the Committee on Mileage and Accounts.
On motion by Mr. KENNER, the motion made the other day to change the hour of the daily sessions, was taken up; and, on his further motion, it was amended so that the House shall meet at 9 o'clock a.m., and hold a continuous session until the adjournment for the day. The motion as amended was agreed to.
Mr. HAM introduced a bill [H. R. 190]: To amend the fee and salary bill of March 31, 1879. [In relation to fees of Sheriffs.] Which was read the first time.
Mr. CATHORNE referred to two bills reported from the Senate [S. 6]: Concerning claims against decedents' estates, and [S. 86] To pay over some $16.000 (which has been in the State Treasury for some time) to men who served in the Indiana Legion, as home guards and as minute men during the War of the Rebellion. He moved that the order of business be suspended in order that these bills may be read the first time.
The motion was agreed to.
And thereupon the bill [S. 6] to re-enact or reaffirm the present statute in relation to claims against decedents' estates, which has been held by the Supreme Court to be imperfect, was read the first time. Under this bill executors and administrators can allow claims against decedents' estates, which they are satisfied are correct and just, without the intervention of Court proceedings.
On the further motion of Mr. CAUTHORNE the constitutional' restriction was dispensed with--yeas 73; nays, 1--the bill read the second time by title only, and the third time by sections, and finally passed the House of Representatives by yeas, 73; nays, 0.
Pending the three readings of this bill [S. 6], Hon. DANIEL W. VOORHEES, a member of the United States Senate from Indiana, appearing in the Hall of the House--
On motion by Mr. KENNER, he was tendered a seat on the floor.
On motion by Mr. SINCLAIR, the House took a recess for ten minutes that members may have an opportunity of paying their respects to Mr. Voorhees.
Senator Voorhees was invited to the Speaker's dias, and from that forum spoke as follows:
MR. SPEAKER AND GENTLEMEN OF THE LEGISLATURE--I had no idea of receiving the compliment and honor which has been tendered to me on this occasion when I came into the Hall. I come as one of your fellow-citizens, deeply in love with our State, desiring simply to shake hands and pass a few courtesies with those I might meet.
Occupying the position I do, I feel that in some sense I a co-operating with you in taking care of the State. Every member of this body, every citizen of the State, every Member of Congress, whatever his political affiliations may be, has a just and honest pride in the great State of Indiana. There is no distinction of party upon that subject. I feel honored by the attention which you bestowed upon me this morning, and I can only assure you that I feel the same devotion to the State of Indiana that you do yourselves. I have no doubt that you will perform the duties imposed upon you by the people faithfully, wisely and justly, and I hope that I may do the same. I stand in this attitude toward the people of the State of Indiana, ready at all times to serve them with all the means at my hands. Sometimes mistaken, otherwise I would not be human; sometimes in error, but always, I trust, under God's providence, striving to do what is right as I see it. That is all that any of us can do, and that is what I am sure you are doing.
It is idle to limit the divisions of parties and call useless the one, or exalt one over the other. New issues spring up; new duties are to be performed, and day by day we are brought in contact with them. I can find no better thought or idea but that as each new duty arises and each new day appears, let us try to do what is just as we best understand it and, if we do that, we will not go far from the right.
I thank you, each one, for the kindness and compliment you bestow upon me on this occasion. I was called to Indiana upon a sad visit, to attend the funeral of a friend, and now, on my way back I leave this afternoon, and take the place on Monday, where I hope to do nothing to the discredit of our great State.
When the bill [S. 6], concerning the allow of claims against decedents' estates, had been disposed of by the affirmative vote of the House on its final passage--
On motion, the House adjourned till Monday at 2 o'clock p. m.
