Democratic Sentinel, Volume 2, Number 51, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 January 1879 — INDIANA LEGISLATURE. [ARTICLE]

INDIANA LEGISLATURE.

Tuesday, Jan. 21.—The day was given up entirely to Senatorial matters, all other business being ignored by both houses. In the Senate, previous to the election, the Republicans offered a resolution against the repeal of the iteanmnGpr. <u>t jx-limh was passed, under pressure of the previous queuu.,?,, a-i to 23, three Democratic Senators—Reeve, Sarninghausen and Winterbotham—voting with'the Republicans. Then a resolution was offered by the Republicans that no one should be voted for for United States Senator who had voted 1 for the Congressional back-pay. Ulis was ' tabled—2s to 21. The Democrats then struck i back by offering a resolution that no man should be voted for who had speculated in Venezuela bonds. This was passed—36 to 10. After a recess of ten minutes the business of the day was begun. Mr. Reeve nominated Daniel W. Voorhees for the short term, and Mr. Langdon named Godlove 8. Orth. The vote resulted: i Voorhees, 26; Orth. 22; Buchanan, 1; Poindex- : ter and Floyd, the other two National Senators, voted with the Democrats. The vote on the long term was the same, Ben Harrison receivi ing twenty-one Republican votes... .In the House, Mr. Van Valzah nominated Voorhees for the short term; Owen, of Warren, named Orth. The vote resulted: Voorhees, 57; Orth. 37; James Buchanan, 2; Shakelford, of Evansville, 1. This fast was the vote of Mr. Gordon, of Marion county, who bolted Orth. Five Nationals explained "that they voted for Voorhees because they had no chance to elect the man of their own party. For the long term Voorhees? Harrison and feuchanan were placed in nomination, and the roll-call showed 57 votes for Voorhees, 38 for Harrison, and 2 for Buchanan. Wednesday, Jan. 22.—Senate.—The entire morning session was occupied in discussing a minority report, recommending the passage of the bill making void agreements to pay attorneys’ fe?s in notes, etc. The majority report on the above bill was finally adopted. It recommends its reference to the Committee on Rights and Privileges ... .Communications from the Governor, recommending the passage of laws allowing courts to appoint prosecuting attorneys to certain cases, and for the protection of United States coast surveys, were received and referred.... The Mexican war veterans having been invited to seats on the floor of the Senate, they appeared in a body, and the Senate took a recesS. During the recess an address of welcome was delivered by the Lieutenant Governor, and responded to by Gen. Manson and Maj. Gordon. The House concurrent resolution asking Congress to pass a law granting pensions to the survivors of the Mexican war was taken up and passed unanimously. House. —A resolution was adopted directing State officers to report all salaries and fees they have received during the past year, and from what source....A concurrent resolution was unanimously passed instructing Senators and Representatives to vote for a bill granting pensions to survivors of the Mexican war. The Mexican war veterans were received on the floor of the House and extended a cordial welcome. Joint Convention.—Upon the reading of the journals of both houses, it appearing that Daniel W. Voorhees had received a majority of all the votes cast in both houses, Lieut. Gov. Gray declared him elected to the Senate of the United States to both the long and short terms. Thursday, Jan. 23.—Senate.—The Senate adopted ,a resolution asking for statements from all county officers of the fees received during the year 1878... .The Lieutenant Governor announced as the Standing Committee on Reapportionment of the State for Senatorial and Represeiitative purposes, Messrs. Viche, Moore, Sarninghausen, Grubbs, Reeve, Langdon, Davis, Urmston, Heilman, Winterbotharq, Garrigus, Tarlton and Coffee; also as the Standing Committee on the Reapportionment of the State for Congressional purposes, Messrs. Burrell, Tavlor, Menzes, Olds, Fowler, Harris, Kent, Comstock, Hebron, Mercer, Wood, Smith and Reiley.... A concurrent resolution was adopted requesting our representatives in Congress to procure the passage of a law requiring the plaintiff in casen where judgment is rendered in Federal

cotirte against residents in this State to cause a brief memorandum of judgment to be sent to the Clerk of the Circuit Court in which defendant resides, to be entered on the judgment docket...-. Bills were introduced: To provide for the determination and allowance of claims against the State; declaring agreements in notes, etc., to waive valuation and appraisement laws void; granting the privilege of remonstrance against sale of liquors, and several apportionment bi115....A1l apportionment biffs were ordered pi in ted on first reading. House.—The House again postponed consideration until next week Wednesday of the constitutional amendments... .Bills were introduced: To form a Metropolitan Police system in all cities of more than 30,000 inhabitants; to regulate the charges of sleeping coaches, fixing the price at 50 cents between any two points within the State for a time not to exceed twenty-fonr h»»wr>, to provide lor a gcuUi&iual survey; fixing the salary of Superintendent of Public Instruction of $1,500; for a local option liquor law; reducing fees of State officers, and a number of others, which cover the same subjects as bills already introduced... .Mr. Gordon introduced a bill repealing that portion of the State House act which requires the Governor to select Commissioners equally from the two leading parties... .Mr. Overmeyer introduced a resolution looking to the consolidation of all the State Universities and the repeal of all laws making the standing appropriations. Adopted. Friday, Jan. 24.—Senate.—Senator Olds introduced a resolution, which passed, for the appointment of a committee of five to investigate the Soldiers’ Home and all benevolent institutions, with a view to determining whether any trustee or officer has received or charged a greater amount for his services than he is entitled to receive under the law. House —Mr. Gordon introduced the following bill into the Legislature: It provides that, in trials where the unsoundness of mind of defendant is set up as a defense, and testimony is. introduced to show that he was insane at tl e time of committing the crime, and the defendant is acquitted, that the jury shall specifically find in the verdict whether the defendant was so insane at the time, and whether he is insane at the time of trial, and whether they acquit defendant because of such insanity. The court shall have power to order the defendant into strict custody in the place provided by law until the person shall nave recovered from such insanity. Provided, that in case it is shown that insanity is constitutional or hereditary, or that the crime was committed through insane impulse, then the defendant shall be confined during his natural life.... The Legislature is blocked just now by a great number of bills that have accumulated on the files. Several days will be spent in recording bills a second time and referring them, in order to get the committees to work. Saturday, Jan. 25.—Senate.—A message from the Governor announced the appointment of J. T. Sc >tt, of Vigo, and Howard Briggs, of Sullivan, as Trustees of the Normal School, and asked that they be confirmed... .The State House Commissioners invited the Senate to inspect the plans and samples of stone for the new State House... .Senators Olds, Woolen, Treat, Foster and Kramer were appointed, a committee to investigate the benevolent and reformatory institutions.... The resolution asking for modification of the patent laws was adopted... .About a dozen unimportant bills were introduced, when the Senate adjourned. House. Mr. Humphreys’ Apportionment bill was ordered printed, and he intimated that it was the one the committee would recommend,. .. .The remainder of the session was takon’np with tho nsnnnH i-Aarting of bills, and at noon the House adjourned until Monday afternoon