AFTERNOON SESSION.
Mr. JEWETT'S bill [H. R. 26] to repeal Section 6 of an act concerning promissory notes, bills of exchange, bonds or other instruments in writing page: 242[View Page 242] signed by any person who promises to pay money, was read a third time.
Mr. SHIVELY hoped that the bill would not pass. He did not believe that the business or the farmers' interests demanded a repeal of that part of our statute; and he was satisfied it would result in more harm than good. Thirty-five- States have similiar laws upon their statute books and thus far there had been no effort to repeal said provisions of these statutes; and not only that, but every country of Europe have similar laws. In England and the German Empire, in every Nation, the commercial interests are protected by similar provisions.
Mr. GORDON stated that the bill had been discussed several days back, and he therefore moved the previous question, which was seconded by the House.
Mr. JEWETT desired to say that this bill to repeal this statute will not prevent the collection of any honest note in the State of Indiana. It will simply prevent the collection of notes obtained by fraud and crime. The State Grange, as an organization representing the farming element of the State, has asked me repeal of this law, and up to this, the 22d of February, every demand has been refused, and this is the last opportunity to make any response so this request. The only objection that has been raised against this bid has come from bankers and note shavers.
The bill passed the House by yeas, 64; nays, 34.
Mr. Henderson's bill [H. R. 29] to enable the several Counties in the State to sell and dispose of land for the benefit of the school fund, was read the third time.
Mr. HENDERSON stated the provisions of the bill granted a reappraisement of certain lands, once sold, but abandoned by the parties purchasing after they have deposited the land of timber. It was necessary that the land be reappraised, and he hoped that the bill would pass.
Mr. SMITH favored the provisions of the bill.
The bill passed the House by yeas, 87; nays 3.
Mr. HOLLER'S bill [H. R. 31] to authorize Boards of County Commissioners to grant bounties for the destruction of woodchucks, owls and hawks, was read the third time and passed the House by yeas 66; nays, 19.
Mr. FRAZER'S bill [H. R. 38] for taxing the ownership of property for school purposes, was read the third time and passed the House by yeas, 80; nays, 11.
Mr. MOCK'S bill [H. R. 48] to provide for the election of Supervisors of highways, was read the third time.
Mr. MOCK thought it was the sentiment of the House that some road law should pass. He did not desire to stand in the way of any member voting for the bill which had passed the Senate on the same subject, but he hoped the members would vote for this bill for fear the Senate bill might not pass.
Mr. MONTGOMERY was in favor of any good road law, and therefore he would vote for this bill. The Senate bill only allows the Supervisor $1.50 per day, and he thought it was better in this respect than the bill under consideration.
Mr. BEESON did not favor the passage of the bill, and he was of the opinion that his constituents were willing give the present law a further trial.
Mr. SMITH, of Tippecanoe, was pledged to vote for a change in the road law, but as this bill had passed the point where it could be amended except by unanimous consent, he thought it ought not to be passed by the House at the present time.
Mr. MUTZ desired to state to the House that there had been a great cry going no all over the State for the repeal of this road law. Everybody is against it. The people can never be educated up to favoring the present road law. He moved the previous question on the passage of the bill.
The demand was seconded, and under its operation the bill passed the House by yeas, 70; nays, 7.
On motion by Mr. McHenry the bill [S. 283] to abolish the Criminal Court in Alien County was amended by striking out "January 1" and inserting in lieu thereof "October 31," and passed the House by yeas, 90; nays, 0, under a suspension of the rules.
The bill [S. 173] to fix the fees of certain officers was read the first time.
Mr. JEWETT called up the bill [H. R. 419] to appropriate the sum of $100,000 for the relief of the sufferers from the floods of the Ohio, Wabash and White Rivers, and the Senate amendments were adopted by yeas, 73; nays, 16.
Mr. WILSON'S, of Marion, bill [H. R. 52] to construct a sewer from the Female Reformatory to connect with a sewer in Indianapolis, was called up and the Senate amendments were adopted.
Mr. WESTFALL'S bill [H. R. 198] for the relief of Allen Lepten and his sureties, John J. Peters, Henry Edwards and Levy Holiday, was read the third time and passed the House by yeas, 86; nays, 3.
Mr GIBSON'S bill [H. R. 117] to amend Sections 255, 256 and 257 of an act concerning taxation was read the third time and passed the House by yeas, 81; nays, 8.
Mr. McCORMICK'S bill [H. R. 308] to amend Section 2 of an act to incorporate the Trustees of the Hartsville Academy was read the third time, and passed the House by yeas, 82; nays, 2.
A MARTIN COUNTY OFFICIAL.
On motion by Mr. Williams, of Knox, the Special Committee to which was referred Senate Joint Resolution No. 1, to authorize the Auditor of State to audit and pay certain expenses of Superintendent of Public Instruction for the prosecution of a suit against John F. Williams, which were allowed, submitted a report recommending the allowance of $600, which on motion by Mr. Heffren was a mended by striking out $600 and inserting in lieu thereof $707.20.
The report as amended was concurred in by the House by yeas, 60; nays, 29.
Mr. HAM'S bill [H. R. 200] to provide for certain claims for labor performed in ditching and reclaiming land in Tipton County, was read the third time and passed the House by yeas, 78; nays, 10.
Mr. HOLLER'S bill [H. R. 286] to empower manufacturing companies to take and hold stock in corporations furnishing water power was read the third time and passed the House by yeas, 71; nays, 8.
Mr. WHITSIT'S bill [H. R. 180] to abolish City Assessors was read the third time and passed the House by yeas, 52; nays, 32.
The House adjourned until 9 a. m. to-morrow,
