Rensselaer Republican, Volume 15, Number 26, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 March 1883 — LEGISLATIVE PROCEEDINGS. [ARTICLE]

LEGISLATIVE PROCEEDINGS.

Tuesday, Feb. 27, Senate.— The bill supplemental to an act to eetablish public libraries was passed. It provides that so long as the library is kept open and free to all a tax may be levied. TKe bill to permit the several counties of the state to dispose of public land for the benefit of the school fund was passed. A bill requiring the flood sufferers to pay but 6 per cent, on delinquent taxes was passed. Another vote was taken to allow the widow of Edwin May, SIO,OOO and the allowance was agreed to. The bill fixing commutations of sentences of convicts on account of good behavior was passed. The Senate continued in all night session in the discussion of Senator McCullough’s railroad biH. IN THE HOUSE. The bill supplemental to the act concerning the oetates of persons who have gone to parts unknown was passed. The bill supplemental to the fee and salary act was passed. The bill concerning tax sales was passed. It amends seetions 218, 227 and 228. The bill to amend the act to create a Bureau of Statistics was»assed. Yeas 55, nays 87. ' The bill to provide means for the erection of a new State House, and assessment and ooUeotion of taxes therefor was passed. Other lees important bills were pissed. jpiNT CONVENTION. The joint convention was held with the follow ing result, the election being confined simply to the trustees of the different benevolent institutions.—Dr. T. H. Harrison (dem.) of Boone conn tg. 82; Gen. John Coburn of Marion county (rep) 7. HarrieouSalected. For trustee of the insane asylum—Philip M.G&penfdom.) of Marion county, 81, Dr. G. W. Burk frep.) of Henry county, 45. Gapen elected. For trustee of the deaf and dumb asylum—S. K. Trmston. (depa.), of Franklin county, 80; Col. James H. Jordan, (rep.) of Morgan county, 44. Urmston elected For trustee of the Blind asylum—Howard Briggs, (dem.) of Putnam county 82; J. H. Rerick, (rep.) of Lagrange county, 43. For trustees of the feeble-minded asylum and soldiers orphan’s home—John M. Goar of Henry county, S. Wilson, of Washington county and R D. Brown of Dearborn county, all democrats were elected, defeating Samuel Green of Rush county, Dr. Wm Freeman of Switzerland and Peter F. Hoes of Howard county. Wednesday, Feb. 28. Senate.— The bill to authorize the State to map assess and sell certain real estate was passed. The bill to legalize certain acts of township trustees was passed. A joint resolution was adopted forbidding convicts from working outside of the penitentiary enclosures. The bill to regulate the business of express companies was passed. Several bills of private interest only were passed. The bill supplemental to the drainage act was passed. ’ The bill regulating ths desoent of heirs was psssed. The bill permitting advertising in certain OMM

to b* «r : vm to the paper the party interested may ate«<i • neweg. The bill to amend the school laws wu peeeed. Concerns um Huperiutecdent and ohahgea time of ending of <*cho 4 year to July B.*. The metropolitan police bill relating to cities of inhabitants or over was paaeed by a party vote. A motion to reconsider was debated till 1:15 a. in. March 1, when tbe Senate adjourned. IM the House. An order wae adopted for night sessions hereafter. The specific appropriation bill was disouwed. The Martin claim was disallowed. Two or three other items were stricken out. Hie appropriation of $5,000 to complete the hospital building at the Southern Paniteutary was reduced to SI,BOO. The specific appropriation bill wae passed. Several other bills were passed. Thubsday, March 1. Senate.— The bill for the more profitable and equitable hiring of convict labor was passed. The bill to amend the act ooneering public offenses wae paaaed. The bill to change the course of channels of streams was passed. Bill to} legalise certain corporations were The bill eoneerning the duties of township, county and state officers wae passed. The bill to amend section lof the turnpike road act was passed. The bill to permit the destraction of eld mill dams was paaaed. The bill providing for the taxation of dogs was passed. The bill to require the county Auditor to advertise quarterly, the amount of eohoo* fund remaining unloaned was passed. IN THE HOUKS. Amotion was made to reconsider the vote which passed the general appropriation, the object being, as stated by Mr. Heffreu, to compel an extra session to be convened. A warm political debate followed the motion, and the House finally decided by a party vote to reconsider. The Johnson vs. Overstreet contested election case was made a special order for Friday at 4 p. m. The bill to provide a fund for the permanent endowment of the State University, wae passed. Fniday, March 2. Senate— House bill to provide a fund for the permanent endowment of the State University was passed. It authorises a levy of one-half cent on each SIOO valuation for twelve years. On motion of Mr. Compton to legalise the incorporation of Carbon, Clay county, was passed. The contested election case of Johnson vs. Overstreet was then taken up and debated at length. Mr. Benz stated that he had been offered bribe money to vote for the metropolitan police bill, and asked an investigation. A committee of three was appointed, with power to send for persons and papers. In the Johnston vs. Overstreet contested case, the Senate declared the charges not sustained, and that Mr. Overstreet was entitled to retain his seat. A bill was passed to make the general index of a deed or mortgage prime facie evidence of the record to which it refers when the destruction of the Record by fire or loss of ths original instrument is made to appear. A bill supplemental to act relating to the disposal of estates of persons who have removed to pa-ts unknown was passed. The bill to legalize the Daleville and Bell Center Turnpike company was passed. The specific appropriation bill was taken up and some items rejected by the House were inserted, including the Martin claim for $46,000. IN THE HOUSE. The bill to repeal section 106 of the act increasing taxation was passed. Also, the bill concerning mutual life insurance companies. On motion the joint resolution to pay Mrs. Edwin May SIO,OOO widow of the late architect of the state house was, called np, but failed to pass. The House concurred in the Senate amendments to the bill to provide a permanent endowment fund for the State University. The bill concerning coal mines was passedA bill appropriating SIO,OOO for the erection of a family building and putting in gas mains at the Indiana Reform School was passed. Bills legalizing the acts of the incorporations of certain towns was passed; including,Roachdale, Putnam county and Jasper, Dubois county A resolution was adopted returning thanks to James Gordon Bennett for his liberal donations to the flood sufferers. A bill amending an act providing a treasury system for the State was passed. A bill to amend section 6,876 of the code of 1881, concerning taxation was passed. A bill to amend section 8 of an act concerning drainage was passed. The House concurred in the Senate amendments to the bill concerning deoendent’s estates. A bill to regulate the practice of medicine, midwifery and surgery was passed. A bill concerning the incorporation of towns was passed. BATUEDAY, March 3. Senate,— The act passed Thursday, concerning legal advertising was repealed by a bill introduced for that purpose. The bill concerning the office of township trustee was passed. The House bill of Rep. Moder to amend the section of the revised statutes concerning search warrants was passed. It permits property so seized to be delivered on proper proof to the owner. The Senate refused to ' concur in the amendment of the committee to allow the John Martin claim. The bill providing for toe state house tax levy and an appropriation of $1(0,000 was passed. The specific appropriation bilhafter its various amendments, was passed. Another unsuccessful effort was made to insert the Martin claim. A lively and interesting debate prevailed in the Senate during the evening session. IN THE HOUSE. Several Senate bills were passed, including; A bill supplemental to an act concerning drain, age. A bill to repeal the act concerning legal advertisements passed Thursday. A bill providing for the conversion of toll roads into free roads. A bill defining powers of attorneys. A bill to amend section 86 of the common school law, giving but one six month’s teachers, which shall be a trial license, and extending teachers’ lisense from 24 to 36 months. A bill concerning median cu liens. The bill regulating toe business ’of express companies in the transmission of money was passed. Tne Senate drainage bill was passed. The speaker refused to recognize any member who desired to move the taking up of the conference report of the general appropriation bill. Toward the close es the evening session the ut-

most confusion reigned; hot debate was I and altogether the business transacted was tadferl known to some of the members, who voted SHt | ahanically it seemed without regard to fee and demerits <>f a biU. JOINT CONVENTION. . : ' A joint convention of the two houses was halA| at 8 o'clock to elect a chief of the Bureau es BtaJ | titties. W. A. Peele, Jr. of Johnson county, awdto | tent clerk of the House received 80 totes, and | John B. Conner the present incumbent reteS*. I Mr. Peele was declared elected. .■ . . I HOTEL The Governor announced late Saturday I that no extra session will be called. I Monday Match 8. ■ Senate.— R. M. Johnson the oonu?»>wmt of tMkfl seat of Senator Overstreet waa allowed s6tt) •fwM expenses. , Nearly all the clerks of the Senate were allowSß extra compensation. ■ A message from the Governor was received'yteH toing the metropolitan police bill. The bill wa»H then taken up and passed over the veto. * Rufus Magee, senator from Cass, wae tketel President pro-tern of the Senate. H The Senate received the message and veto byH the Governor of the metropolitan poilee bill Mdß it was passed over the veto and became a law.. A committee of three Senators was aippointedH to report in 1885 a bill abolishing convict laucrS At 1:16 the Senate adjourned sine die. &,(sBB nr THE HOUSE. • ;*.■ The general Appropriation bill waa passed. «.■ The metropolitan police bill was passed eyeiß the Governor’s veto. '-*-* After the passage of several resolutions ttiß House at 3:35 p, m. adjourned without day, toriM thus endeth the Fifty-third General the State of Indiana. Resqaiet en pace. Bfl