Rensselaer Republican, Volume 13, Number 24, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 March 1881 — INDIANA LEGISLATURE. [ARTICLE]

INDIANA LEGISLATURE.

TfIVBMBAT. SENATE:—In the senate the con* sideration of the civil code was set aside, and the bill allowing members to vote for presidential electors was taken up, yeas. 28; nays, 21. Mr. Wilson moved that the senate take a recess for one hour, to hear speeches from ladies representing the woman ’s suffrage association of Indiana. The resolution was agreed to, and the lieutenant governor having the rostrum, it was occupied at onee, Mrs. Dr. Mary Haggart, of Indianapolis, speaking first, Helen M. Gougar, of Lafayette, following, and Mrs. Dr. Thomas closing with a very few words. riIUAY. Tho senate renewed the consideration of the committee on revision bill, section 271, codifying tbe laws concerning court proeeedure in civil cases.

In the house bills were introduced: For the revision committee [H. R. 889]; for an act concerning churches* to amend section 1 of the act of March 14,1877, to provide for the distribution of the surplus dog Ut in the hands of township trustees; in relation to promissory notes, bank checks and bills of exchange, and to designate the holidays to be observed in the punishment of the same; [H. R. 393. J Concerning public offences and their punishment. Read twice by title only, and made special order for Thursday, February 24, at 10 a. m.; to provide for the publication of legal and official matter in newspapers; to establish a school for truant boys, and defining the duties of certain officers connected therewith; establishing rules for governing the same, prescribing penalties, eta.; “regulating the mode of transacting business of foreign corporations doing business in this state; to fix the times of holding circuit courts in the counties comprising the 36th judicial circuit and declaring an emergency; to encourage the destruction of woodchucks; supplemental to the act of June 10, 1853, defining felonies and prescribing punishment therefore. The house for the remainder of the session continued the consideration of the committee on revisions’ bill [H. R. 204] codifying all the states concerning assessments for taxation.

Indianapolis, February 21.—1 n the senate, this afternoon, Mr. Bell’s road bill, after discussion, was ordered engrossed. The rest of the session was occupied in the discussion of Mr. Yancey’s medical bill. . .. The house was engaged in receiving reports from committees and hearing bills reported the second time. Mr. Roelker’s bill, giving laboring men a lien for wages, was recommitted. Indianapolis, February 22.—The senate continued the discussion of the medical bill this morning, a number of amendments being offered and relected. It finally went over to Friday. The rest of the day was spent in consideration of the civil code bill. After considerable discussion the amendment to admit women to the bar was lost.

The house presented an animated appearance, many ladies being present to witness the disposition of the woman suffrage hill. This was not reached, however, until after considerable discussion of the Buskirk interest bill, when Mr. Cauthorne moved to amend the bill by striking out the enacting clause. This was lost by 43 to 46, and then by the samq vote the bill was orderefengrossed. The suffrage bill was then put upon its passage and failed to pass—yeas 43, naves 46. The tax bill was further considered and finally passed. Indianapolis, February 23.—The senate received the tax bill from the house this morning and made it the special order for every .afternoon until finished. The medical bill was then taken up and finally ordered engrossed. The civil code bill was completed and ordered engrossed. In the house a number ‘of senate bills were read, and the following ones passed. Amending the street ami alley law; prohibiting pool-selling; concerning the settlement of decedents estates; authorizing county commissioners to provide suitable asylums for pauper children; amending the act concerning contempts of couit; legalizing the recording of patents issued by the United States or the state of Indiana; appropriating certain money ,to pay the Indiana legion; repealing the act requiring separate polling places In incorporated towns. The bill authorizing lees than the entire jury to return a verdict in civil cases was lost—ayes 38 nays 43. A telegram was received this morning announcing the dangerous illness of Senator • Hart, at his home in Booneville.

Governor Porter this afternoon nominated Samuel Green, of Rush county, as trustee of the institution for feeble minded children from April 1, Indianapolis, February 24.— The forenoon was spent on the Shaffer temperance bill, the discussion being preceeded by the presentation of a great quantity of petitions asking for a better liquor law. The reports of the committee waft read, and all but three of the twenty-six amendments proposed were concurred 'in. A motion to disperse with the constitutional restrictions and put the bill on its passage was rejected by a vote of 28 to 23, after which it was recommitted, with instructions to strike out the emergency clause and report to-mor-row. The most important of the committee’s amendments is that which requires the petition to contain the names of a majority of all the voters who actually voted at the last proceeding election, The afternoon waa spent in considering the tax bills. In the house several new bills were introduced, among them one to prohibit Insurance on the tontine plan. The house then took up the criminal proceedure bill, and efforts were made successively to abolish the grand Jury and to reduce its numbers to nine and up, all of which failed. The committee investigating the female reformatory reported this morning, finding the management satisfactory. - The prison committee of thehouse will report very favorably of the Northern prison and unfavorably of the Southern, recommending a large proportion for its maintenance, or that ft be consolidated with the Northern prison.