Rensselaer Republican, Volume 15, Number 20, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 January 1883 — LEGISLATIVE PROCEEDINGS. [ARTICLE]

LEGISLATIVE PROCEEDINGS.

Batubday, Jan. IX Senate.—Not in session. IM THE HOUSE. The resolution pending at adjournment was passed—yeas 56; nay 30. Bills were introduced. The bill to fix the time for holding court in Posey and Vanderburg counties was passed to* a third reading. The committee on Ways and Means recommended the passage es the bill, which provides penalties for fraudulent list for taxation returned by corporations. Adjourned tHI Monday at 2p. m. ■ ■ Monday, Jan. 15. Senate.—Petitions were presented by every Senator on the floor, asking for the submission of the prohibitory amendment at a special election, * The committee on swamp lands recommended that 1,000 copies of the report of the survey of the Kankakee river be presented. So ordered. A resolution was adopted looking to the abolishment of convict labor, and providing for a committee to inquire into the mattter. A concurrent resolution was adopted requesting the Secretary of War to order such an appropriaion expended as will secure a commodious and safe harbor at Michigan City, The House resolution tendering sympathy to the French Republic in the death of Gambettawa adopted. The House resolution requesting the pensioning of Mexican Soldiers was adopted. Several new bills were introduced. in the house. Several committee reports were received. The bill to reduce the interest on the school und was called up and recommitted. The bill to prevent the 'sale of impure butter recommended for passage. Also, the bill to prohibit the killing of quails.** Several bills were introduced. “ Tuesday, Jan. 16. Senate.—Mr. Van Voorhis presented a communication from the Board of Health providing law to relieve the people from the curse of such meat as is allowed to be sold in the Indianapolis market. The committee reported favorably the bill providing for an Indianapolis reformatory sewer. A bill was introduced extending the time of sale of land for delinquent taxes from the Ist to the 3d Monday in March. Several other bills were introduced. The House bill in relation to the appointment of Judges pro tern, was read the second time. Several bills were read the second time. The Johnson vs. Overstreet contested election case was taken up. Discussion of the subject was had uniil adjournment when it was laid over. IN THE HOUSE. Several bills were reported back from committees, The report of the committee relating to the extension of the jurisdiction of Justices of the Peace Was concurred in. New bills were Introduced. Memorial exefoises in honor of the late Senator Foster were held. Wednesday, Jan. 17 Senate.—The resolution pending at adjourn ment. authorizing the committee on elections to send for persons and papers in the JohnsonOverstreet contested election case, was debated until noon, when a vote was taken and the resolution adopted. On motion of Mr. Magee the courtesies of the Senate were extended to Wm. McKee Dunn and Gen. John W. Foster, The bill defining the" crime of false pretenses was passed. The bill providing penalty for disclosing messages passing over telephone wires was passed. The bill of Mr. Ristine concerning the construction of McAdam and other roads was read the third time. The bill relating to the qualifications of jurors was read the third time and passed. IN THE HOUSE. The courtesies of the House were extended t»» the State University Alumni, visiting in the city, The “freedom” of the House was also extended to the Mexican veterans of the State, in convention in the city. Petitions were presented. The bill to fix the time of holding court in Posey and Vanderburg counties waspassed. A resolution was adopted fixing Jan. 23 as a day for electing a State Librarian and Prison Directors. A resolution was adopted requesting our Representatives in Congress to use their influence to have ceded Un d conveyed to the State all territory within its limits, meandered out by the Government survey, included as lake and river beds in said survey, - . , The “freedom" of the House was extended the County Surveyors in session in this city. Thubsday. Jan. 18. Senate.—Several bills were read the second time. The House concurrent resolution fixing next Tuesday for a joint session of the two Houses to elect Prison Directors and State Librarian was concurred in. Numerous petitions were presented. Committee reports were received. The bill to reorganise the State Reformatory institution was called up from the committee, but no definite action taken. The resolution instructing the committee on public buildings to inquire into the new State House matter was called up, discussed and adopted. Several bills were introduced. A long discussion ensued over a resolution to print 1,00 OoopiM of the report of the Kankakee survey. IN THE HOUSE. Several bills were introduced. Two bills were passed to the second reading. The| Senate concurrent resolution requesting tne Secretary of War to reconsider his refusal to set apart a certain sum of money for the improvement of the narbor at Michigan City, was taken up and concurred in. The bill repealing the law making libel a criminal offense was called up and indefinitely postponed. The bill to amend the civil'procedure act was reported with the recommendation tnat it be indefinitely postponed, A minority report recommended that the bill do pass. After a discussion the minority report was adopted. The bill concerning trusts for charitable purposes was reported favorably. The bill to restrain 'Certain animals from running at large was indefinitely postponed, • Friday, Jan. 19. Senate.—Mr. Bowers, from a majority of the Judiciary Committee, reported that, in accordance with resolution of Senate, it has examined the records of the last General Assembly as to proper record of the proposed constitutional amendments, that no. such recorifl can be found; and, no entry, as oonjmended by the constitution,

oy which tne committee can determine wnat said propositions were, or that either house referred, or intended to refer any proposition ’ to amend tiie constitution to this Assembly. Signed by Spann, Bell, Brown, McCullough, and VanVrohis. Mr. Bundy, from the minority of said committee reported the entries as found on the journal of the two houses in the sessions of 1881, and copies of the joint resolution proposing to amend the ’constitution as on file in the Secretary of State’s office, and published in the laws. It did not find they were referred to this General Assembly in in words on the journal of either house, but the provisions of the constitutional amendments have been substantially complied with and are properly fl&ore this General Assembly. Signed by Messrs. Bundy and Graham: Mr. Bundy moved that these reports be made the special order for next Wednesday. Agreed to. IM THE HOUSE. Mr. McMullen, from the Judiciary Committee, returned a resolution authorizing inquiry into the proposed constitutional amendments, reported an examination of the journals if the two houses and find the amendments are not properly entered, and not referrod to this General Assembly according to the manner laid down in the constitution. This report was signed by McMullen, Heffron, Wilson 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 and properly referred to this General Assembly. Signed by Messrs. Adams; Wright, Frazee, Wiley, a* 'd Stewart. Mr. Patton, also, from a minority, presented a report somewhat similar to the first one, signed by Mr, Patton and Mr. Jewett. The report were made the special order for Thursday at 10 a. m.