Rensselaer Republican, Volume 17, Number 28, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 March 1885 — INDIANA LEGISLATURE. [ARTICLE]

INDIANA LEGISLATURE.

IN anticipation ox tne uoTcrnor a proemra*tkm calling an extra session of the Legislature, but little was d one In either house op the 9th test. A slue die adjournment was taken, and the proclamation read which convenes the Ix-glslatnre in extra session. Gov. Gray an pointed O. H. Adair proseentin* attorney for the Judicial district composed of Jay and Adam* Counties. He also reapt otntcd and recommissioned all of the members of the Board of Commissioners of the additional hospitals for the Insane, namely: I)e Fae Skinner, of VaiMtraise; John C. Robinson,of Spenoer; J. B. Gray.; of NobtesvUle; and William Gross, of New Castle. The Governor approved the following bills: An act for the relief of Mrs. May; an act to protect all persons in their civil rights; an act regulating weights and measures; m not rotating to the removal of obstructions from highways: an act for the incorporation of building associations; an act preventing the ownership of lands in Indiana by sliens; an act authorizing colleges to own and sell real estate; an net to amend the act relating to the presentation of claims against counties. The Legislature began its extra session on Tuesday, the 10th test. The Senate held but a brief session, and transacted only snch business as was made necessary by the extra session. Ail the old officers were re-elected on motion of Senator Magee, and the Lieutenant Governor announced that the old committees would be continued. On Senator Fowler's resolution to adopt the rales of the regular session. Senator Youche offered an amendment to return to the original rule requiring a two-thirds rote to suspend the regular order of business, ami it was adopted, it being generally agreed that there was no necessity for the majority rale, as all the political legislation was finished. The committee clerks were ail discharged, as the secretary and assistant secretary had agreed to detail their assistants for such work. It was resolved that clerks be not allowed per diem for days when they were absent. Bills were introduced designating the second Wednesday of April of each year as ‘Arbor day," and making snch a holiday for pnpiis of the public schools. The Senate adjourned until Friday, the 13th. In the House the Speaker announced that the old officers and committees would be continued, there being a provision of the statutes for the retention of the former without special action by the House. He also ruled that leaves of absence could not be granted to members until after they had answered at least one roll-call. The rules governing the last session were adopted. The regular order at business was then resumed. and the first measure called nji for consideration was Senator Campbell's bill providing strict penalties for buying or selling votes. After long debate, the bill passed, with barely enongh votes.

Thebe was no session of the upper branch of the Legislature on the 11th test. The House went to work earnestly to pass the bills pending on their final reading. The first taksn up wag that Introduced by Senator Fonlke, which provides that, when corporations or municipalities become insolvent, the claims of their employes for wages to the amount of <6O shall be preferred over those of other creditors. It was passed by a vote of 76 to o. Copeland's bill limiting railroad passenger fares for adults to 3 cents a mile and children half-price was passed by a vote of 74 to 3, the author explaining that there are twelve railroads in Indiana—generally small lines—which charge fare in excess of that proposed. A spirited discussion was held on the passage of the bill which provides that German shall be taught in ungraded schools only when petitioned for by twenty-five patrons,and giving colored children equal rights with the white in all the public schools of the State. The Republicans generally voted for and the Democrats against it, and the bill was defeated by a vote of 33 to 48. Senator Winters’ bill limiting the tax levy in Marion County for 1886 to S 3 cents on the sun> of valuation for current expenses, and 10 cents to pay interest and snch extra expenses as were Incurred to building the workhouse, was called nn. Mr. Pendleton explained that it waa a restoration of the act of 1879, which was repealed by implication, as some people Insisted, by a subsequent enactment, under which tile tax levy had increased to 66 cents. At present, he said, there was a deficiency of SSe.OOO. and to pay this, as well as interest on the bonded debts and their expenses, it was proposed to allow an extra levy of 10 cents, which, in addition to the 83 cents, would provide ample revenue for the necessary expenses of the county. The bill passed by a vote of 66 to 9, several gentlemen voting against it for the alleged reason that it was special legislation. Mb. Rtvebs' bill providing that county offices shall be declared vacant when the officers thereof shall have been absent from them without excuse for sixty days, was called up to the House on the 12th, and Mr. Reeves moved to recommit it to the Judiciary Committee with instructions to make certain amendments. After a heated debate the matter was allowed to drop Mr. Pendleton offered a resolution that when the House adjourned that day it should *» Monday “MW®*?? Jhhf Mth). and this was carried tor a vote of 48 to 24. The regular order of business was then resumed, and the first bill taken np wks that at jfr. Overman, providing that taxes on mortgages on real estate shall be paid by the mortgager, and that the mortgagee shall pay taxes only on the assessed value of his land less the amount of the incnmbr nee. Twenty or more members discussed the bill at considerable length, many of them arguing that if enacted it would not afford tiie relief desired. The bill was defeated The Senate held a brief session on the afternoon of the 18th. Several House bills were read the first time. The House was not in session. Speaker Jewett U of the opinion that it will take about two weeks longer to finish up tile necessary business; but the probabilities are that an adjournment will not be reached before the middle of April. A bill was introduced in the Senste on Saturday, Much 14, providing that in all courts except justices’ expert witnesses may be called npon to testify npon the petition of either party to the suit, snch witnesses to be selected by the court and paid for their services whatever sum the court may deem just and proper. A bill was also introduced providing that no person shall be confined as an Insane person in any private asylum in the State unless such asylum shall have been licensed by the Board of Trustees of the State Hospital for the Insane, and that said board shall visit such asylums at least twice s year, and shall appoint in each county a board of three or five visitors, whose duty it shall be to inspect the asylums at frequent intervals. The most important provision of the tell is that which allows all persons confined in asytams to consult or communicate with any friends or advisers, medical or otherwise, outside, and to write such letters as they desire. Senator Fonlke introduced a concurrent resolution proposing aa amendment to the State Constitution that any voter of good moral character may practice law. The object of the proposed amendment is to give future Legislatures an opportunity to place greater restrictions npon legal practice. The House was not in session.