Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1851-12-18
BilIs on tieir Second Reading.
ArrrRNnnN SESSION.

AFTERNOON SESSION.
Mr.. Emerson offered resolution instructng the COM
mttee on finance TO report bill to assess personal prop
erty by township instead OF county assessors
Mr. Emerson said that the resolution imperative
in order test the of the Senate this question
In his county the assessments had been made by town
ship In of the courts had been decided
that the constitution had repealed all local laws without
enacng the general laws. Ii this decision is correct
his county and others with similar laws were without
The law provided that should begin
their duties the first Of January and he wished to have
his provided Tor. He stated that the OF
assessments had been much reduced under the operation
of the law providing for township assessors. The
sessment the last year only about 500 and under
former laws the expense three four hundred dol
lars annually He wished to have test vote of the SEN
ate upon the systems
Mr. Spann moved to amend by adding also ''township
collectors, - which was lost.
The vote then taken adopting the resolution,
and decided in the affirmative-ayes 26, noes l6.
On motion of MIR. Logan, the resolution to authorize
the Judiciary committee to employ clerk taken
from the table and adopted.
Mr. Secrest offered resolution instructing the iud
cary committee to inquire into the expediency of
ganizng the standing committees of the Senate, and to
reduce the number of members Of each committee TO
FIVE. and 10 report plan by which this organization
could bc effected
After a short discussion,
Mr. Mckle moved to strike out % judiciary commit
tee" aud insert committee on the organization Of
courts"
Mr. Hanna moved to amend by striking ont from the
resolving clause and insert substitute directing
mttees in their reports to show what Senators were
absent and present when the subject OF the report
under consideration in committee.
Mr. Hannas motion was decided to be out Of order
Mr. Nckle's amendment then adopted.
Mr. Hanna renewed lis motion to amend, which
The question was then taken on the adoption of the
resolution and decided in the negative.
On motion Of Mr. Secrest, the resolution laid the
table this morning authorizing the President of the Sen
ate TO reor9anize the standing committees that no
committee shall consist of more than five members,
taken up.
Mr.. Secrest then moved to amend by excepting the
judiciary committee.
MIR. Berry moved to except the committee on canals
and internal improvements carried.
The question then excepting the Judiciary
committee, which decided in the affirmative.
Mr.. Cravens ~oved to amend 10y transferring the
right of re-oraanizng the committees from the Presi
dent committee of one from each congressional dis
trict; lost.
The question was then taken on the adoption Of the
resolution and decided in the ailrmatve-ayes 30
13.
Mr.. Seerest gave notice that on tomorrow morning
he would 60 into the election of President oil
the Senate pro tenn during the absence of Gov Lane.
Mr.. Emerson offered resolution to appoint stand
ing committee the practice and pleading oil law IN
the of this State.
Mr.. Emerson said that unless such a committee were
appointed, many things would go to the judiciary COM
mitlee which would appropriately belong TO this COM
mittee. The judiciary committee IS already overloaded
Several Senators having expressed an opinion that the
resolution of order, establishing new rule,
and therefore under the rules should lie day.
Mr. Emerson withdrew the resolutions and gave no.
tce that he would reoer 1t on tomorrow or some sub
sequent day.
The President appointed Messrs Cravens, Secrest,
and Dunn committee 10 act with 4 similar committee
appointed 10y tie House. devise and report the best
manner of revising the laws OF this State.
On motion of Mr. Hanna, the resolution offered by
him few days socc to district the State for the eec
ton of five supreme judges, taken from the table
together with the amendments.
The question being taken on the amendment offered
by Mr. Secresl make the resolution OF inquiry, it
was decided in The negative.
The question being then the amendment offered by
Mr. Micke strike out g fve' Judges, and insert
20 three.'
Mr.. Cravens thought the vote should not be taken
hastily this question. He desired 10 have some In
formation guide him in his action before voting.
Mr. Secrest thought there imperative neces
sity for increasing the number OF Judges Heretofore
the court required decide the upon the first
error that arose in it. He instanced in which
more than forty important points made, and the
decided il upon the first leaving the others un
noticed and giving short and unImportant oPi9i'n
Under the Constitution the supreme court is obliged
TO give statement in writing oil each question arising
in the record This would largely increase the abors of
the supreme court. He informed that the number
of cases the docket amounted 10 over Co., and
Notwithstanding that judges working men, the
cases are increasing. He thought increase Of the
number of Judges was absolutely necessary.
Mr. Emerson thought the clause of the constitution
requiring the simpfcaiion of the rules of practice
strictly carried out there would be mnch less litigation
and consequently much less business would come before
The supreme He thought three Judges would be
enough 10 do all the business Of the court.
Mr. Hanna thought that the efforts likely to be made
10 simplify the practice would be likely increase
litigation than decrease it, He argued at length that
five Judges would be necessary TO get through with the
business Of the court
Mr. NbIack thought that if we raised the salaries of
the Judges so that they could devote their whole time to
heir duties il would be unnecessary TO increase their
number. We required ly the Constitution pro-
vide for reporter whose duties has heretofore been
performed by one Of the Judges. He thought this
three Judges would be able To do the work of the
oDr Judges under the present system If the number
liked at five il could not he reduced without much
roube, whereas If the number fixed at three and
onnd 10 he Insufficient, il could be increased any
ime He, therefore, hoped the amendment would pre-
rail.
The question then being taken on the amendment it
was decided in the afHrmatiye-ayes % noes IL
MrfMilken moved to Law the resolution on the table.
he believed the Senate would yet be in favor of larger
lumber taan three; lost-ayes 49, noes "a.
Mr.. Hanna moved TO amend by making it a resolution
,f inquiry; laid the table.
Mr. Secrest said that we either need five supreme /
Judges or the three we have have not worked. Ii we
get along with three, present judges have not
performed their duty.
Mr. Hanna moved to lay the resolution the table
declared out of order.
Mr.. Eddy moved to adjourn; lost
Mr. Emerson moved the previous question, which was
seconded hy the Senate.
On motion of Mr.. Secrest, the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
MONDAY, Dec. Is, 1851
The House met pursuant 10 adjournment.
Petitions Presented.
By Mr.. LindseT from citizens Of Upton county.
Referred to Committee Temperance without reading
n r II r. r ~