HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
FRIDAY, January 19, 1883-10 a. m.The SPEAKER took the chair, and prayer was offered by Rev Mr. Hay, of this city.
On motion by Mr. JEWETT the reading of the Clerk's minutes of yesterday's proceedings was dispensed with.
REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES.
Mr. BRYANT, from the Committee on County and Township Business, reported back Mr. Smith's, of Blackford, bill [H. R. 108] to amend Section 2 of an act providing for a general system of Common Schools, being Section 4,441 of the Revised Statutes of 1881, with a recommendation that it; be recommitted to the Committee on Education.
The report was concurred in.
Mr. CAMPBELL, from the Committee on Cities and Towns, reported back Mr. Westfall's bill [H. R. 102] to legalize the acts of the Board of Trustees or the town of Chauncey, Tippecanoe County, with the recommendation that it pass with certain amendments.
The report was concurred in.
Mr. SCHLOSS,, from the same Committee, reported back Mr. Wilson's bill [H. R. 66] to legalize the incorporation of the town of Syracuse, in Koscuisko County, and to legalize the acts of the records of Trustees of said town, with recommendations that it pass with certain amendments. The report was concurred in.
Also Mr. Wilson's bill [H. R. 67], a bill to legalize the incorporation of the town of Silver Lake, Koscuisko County. Indiana, with a recommendation that the bill do pass.
The report was concurred in.
By Mr. HEFFREN, from the same Committee. returned Mr. Kirkpatrick's bill [H. R. 53] to legalize the incorporation of the town of Barnettsville, White County, Indiana, with certain amendments.
Also Mr. Beeson's bill [H. R. 152] to regulate the number of voting Precincts in towns, with certain amendments.
Also Mr. Chittenden's bill [H. R. 159] concerning the taxation of certain lands and other property within the limits of cities and towns, recommending that it be indefinitely postponed.
The report was concurred in.
Also the bill [S. 29] legalizing the incorporation of Westfield, Hamilton County, with an amendment that this act shall not affect pending suits.
The report was concurred in.
Also Mr. Best's bill [H. R 141] to amend Section 60 of the election law approved April 21, 1881, recommending that it be indefinitely postponed. The report was concurred in.
Mr. HANSON, from the Roads Committee, returned Mr. Shiveley's bill [H. R. 49] to amend Section 1 of a supplementary act, authorizing County Commissioners to construct roads and highways, with a recommendation that it be indefinitely postponed.
On motion the bill and report was referred to the Judiciary Committee.
By Mr. BEESON, from the same Committee. Mr. Shafer's bill [H. R. 12] concerning roads and highways, with a recommendation that it be indefinitely postponed. The report was concurred in.
THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS.
Mr. McMULLEN, from the Judiciary Committee, returned a resolution authorizing the Committee to inquire into the proposed constitutional amendments, reported an examination of the journals of the two Houses, and find the amendments are not properly entered, and not referred to this General Assembly a cording to the manner laid down in the Constitution. This report was signed by Messrs. McMullen, Heffren, Williams, of Knox, and Wilson, of Marion.
Mr. FRAZEE, from a minority of said Committee, submitted a minority report that these amendments are on file in the Secretary of State's office, and are properly referred to this General Assembly. Signed by Messrs. Adams, Wright, Frazer, Wiley and Stewart.
Mr. Patton, from a minority, presented a report somewhat similar to the last one, signed by Mr, Patton and Mr. Jewett.
Then reports were made the special order for Thursday at 10 a. m.
Subsequently-
Mr. HUSTON offered a resolution that there be printed 300 copies of the resolution concerning the proposed constitutional amendments [introduced last Friday-see page 52 of the Brevier Reports'! together with the three reports therein submitted this morning from the Judiciary Committee.
On motion by Mr SCHLOSS the resolution was laid on the table-yeas, 46; nays. 44.
NEW PROPOSITIONS.
The following described bills were introduced, read the first time and passed to the second reading, unless otherwise stated:
By Mr. ELEY [H. R. 213] concerning the competency of witnesses.
By Mr. CHITTENDEN [H. R 214] to repeal the sixty-seventh section of the criminal procedure act, R. S. 1,640.
By Mr. CHITTENDEN [H. R. 215] to empower cities and towns to tax foreign Insurance Companies.
By Mr. CHITTENDEN [H. R. 216] to amend Section 6 of the act authorizing cities and towns to construct, maintain and operate water works.
By Mr. BROOKS [H R 217] by request, supplemental to the act authorizing cities and towns to page: 80[View Page 80] lay out, open, widen streets, alleys, etc., of March 17, 1875.
By Mr. McCORMICK [H. R. 218] to prohibit the Infliction of whipping as a punishment of convicts confined in Penitentiaries.
By Mr. WILEY [H. R 219) to amend Section 147 of the common school act, being Section 4,497 of the Revised Statutes of 1881.
By Mr. WEAVER [H. R. 220] to amend Section 3 of the wet land drainage act, being Section 4,287 of the code of 1881.
By Mr. Thomas [H. R. 221] to regulate the practice of medicine, midwifery and surgery.
By Mr. GIBSON [H. R. 222] concerning intoxicating liquors.
By Mr. Price [H R. 223] to amend Section 199 of the decedents' estates act of April 14, 1881.
By Mr. ROBINSON [H. R. 224] to regulate the incorporation of the town of Carbon, Clay County.
By Mr. WOODLING [H. R. 225] to authorize Boards of County Commissioners to oner and pay rewards for the apprehension of criminals.
By Mr. MELLETT [H. R 226] to repeal the high- way act of 1881. being Section 4,764 of the Revised Statutes of 1881.
Then came a recess for dinner.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
By Mr. GREEN [H. R. 227] to legal the acts of the Board of Trustees and other officers of town of Jasper, Dubois County, for the years 1879, 1880, 1881, 1882.
By Mr. GERBER [H. R. 228] concerning fire es- capes in hotels and other buildings in which people lodge.
By Mr. MOSIER [H. R. 229] to protect hotels. inns and boarding houses from being defrauded.
By Mr. HOUSTON [H. R. 230] to legalize the sale of certain real estate in the town of Connersville, Ind.
By Mr. TULEY [H. R. 231] to fix the time of holding Court in tile Fourth Judicial Circuit.
By Mr. NAVE [H R. 232] to regulate the costs In action rendered upon judgments in any of the Courts of Indiana.
By Mr. CHANDLER [H. R. 233] to regulate judgments rendered Railway Companies in certain Cases.
By Mr. Wilson, of Kosciusko, [H. R. 234] to amend Section 1 of an act to protect sheep husbandry.
By Mr. FRAZER [H R. 235] to amend Section 1 of an act, being Section 2,540 of the Revised Statute of 1881, to authorize foreign guardians to take possession of personal property or assets of wards.
By Mr. SUTTON [H. R. 236] to amend Section 75 of an act concerning taxation. being Section 6,343 of the Revised Statutes of 1881.
By Mr. SUTTON [H. R. 237] to amend Section 95 of an act concerning public offenses.
By Mr. WHITSIT [H. R. 238] to amend Section 1 of an act-being Section 3,262 Revised Statutes 1881-to abolish certain officers in cities and towns.
By Mr. WHITSIT, [H. R. 239] to amend an act-being Section 5,304 Revised Statutes-concerning liens ot mechanics merchants and others.
By Mr. HOWLAND, by request, [H. R. 240] to amend Section 4 and 5 of an art supplemental to an act repealing all general laws now in force in regard to the incorporation of cities.
By Mr. WILSON, of Marion, [H. R. 241] in relation to the satisfaction of mortgage, recording the same, etc. Referred to the Committee on Claims.
By Mr. SHAW [H. R. 242] to amend Section 204 of an act concerning public officers and their punishment-being Section 2,117 Revised Statutes 1881.
By Mr. ANTRIM [H. R. 243] to amend Section 15 of an act regulating prosection in cases of bastardy, and providing for the support of illegitimate children.
By Mr. STRAUGHN [H. R. 244] providing for the purchase of toll roads, and providing for their maintenance.
By Mr. ADAMS [H. R. 245] to amend Section 39 an act concerning elections and their contest being Section 4,716, Revised Statutes of 1881.
By Mr. MONTGOMERY [H. R. 246] to require foreign Insurance Companies doing business in this State to lay judgments rendered against them.
By Mr. GORDON [H. B. 247] for Incorporation of towns.
Mr. JEWETT moved'to suspend the rules and read the bill a first time by title only. By consent the motion was agreed to.
ESCAPED CONVICTS.
Mr. DEEM offered the following resolution:
Whereas, One Harry Foxwell, a most infamous murderer, has escaped from the State Prison South, and
Whereas, One Ruttenhouse, a notorious counterfieiter, has escaped from the State Prison South, therefore be it
Resolved, That the Committee on Prisons be and are hereby instructed to make full investigation into the escape of these noted criminals, and make full report; thereof to this House, and for all these purposes said Committee shall have power to send for persons and papers, examine witnesses under oath, and to receive and publish depositions, and shall have leave at any time to report by resolution or otherwise.
Mr. HEFFREN offered an amendment to the effect that the investigation include all pardons granted by our present Governor.
Mr. DEEM said the man Foxwell named in the resolution was convicted in the Rush Circuit Court for the murder of John W. White, a resident of Wabash County, who was on his way to visit a relative in Rush County. This red-handed scoundrel did not stop in taking the life and robbing the dead body of this noble young man, but by the most unparalleled perjury sought to convict an innocent man for his own infamous crime. Large rewards were paid for his apprehension and conviction, and he was sent to the State Prison South on a life sentence. He escaped after a short imprisonment The counterfeiter Ruttenhouse is a noted and most accomplished criminal in his line, and was convicted by the Federal authorities after many years of labor and after the expenditure of large sums of money. It is asserted that some of the new counterfeit now in circulation is the work of his hands and put upon the market since his escape. I want the matter of their escape investigated. I do not ask for a, Special Committee. The regular Committee can do the work. They expect to visit the Prison next week, and no additional expense will be incurred.
Mr. COPELAND moved that the amendment be laid on the table.
The motion was rejected-yeas, 44; nays, 49.
Mr. SHIVELY now offered an amendment to the amendment that the investigation be extended back to the year 1877.
On motion by Mr. PATTEN the amendments and the original resolution were laid on the table yeas, 48; nays. 40.
Mr. BRAZELTON offered a resolution, which was adopted, that 200 copies of the bill [H. R. 91] concerning the relocation of County seats be printed for the use of the members.
Mr, WILLIAMS presented certain claims from E. E. Myers, architect, which were referred to the Committee on Claims.
SMALLPOX CASES.
By consent the following resolution was offered:
page: 81[View Page 81]Whereas, It has been reported to this House that there have been two cases of smallpox in the County Jail, and that the said cases had escaped from this Jail, situated in this yard; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Speaker of this House appoint a Special Committee of three physicians of this House to inquire into the whereabouts of said cases of smallpox.
The resolution was adopted and the Speaker appointed Drs. Thomas, Price and Bowers said Committee.
And the House adjourned till 10 a. m. to-morrow.
