The true Democrat., 1857-01-20
Monday, Jan. 12th, 1857.
House met.

House met.
 Prayer by the chaplain.
 MT. Abbott presented petition from 45 citi- zens of Columbia county praying relief for w m R.Cowan, for bringing from Missouri one Elisha Horne, on the requisition of the Governor of Arkansas. Referred to select committee con- sistlng of MessIs. Abbott Watson, Newton of Union, and Turner
 Mir. Patterson presented a petition from T citizens of Dcsha county, praying an amend ment to the Constitution so as to allow Desha county to be reduced to less than 900 square miles, and all that portion of said county lying west Of Bayou Bartholomew, to be attached to the county of Drew. Referred to the commit tee on county and county lines.
 Mr. Oates, from select committee, reported back the bill to provide for purchasing and dis. tributing llempstead's circuit court reports; and the bill was real third time and passed
 Mr. Watson reported back the bill to refund money over paid on notes executed for lands sold by the State and the bill was read third time and passel.
 Mr. Williams of Puaski, reported back the bill for the relief of Ellis Dismukes and oth ,rs; and the hll was read a third time and passed
 Mr. Griffin reported back House bill No 30; and the bill referred to the committe on the judiciary.
 Mr. Griffin, from the committee on internal Improvements, reported upon the varions inter- nal improvement commissioners reports sent rp to the legislature (But 10 counties reported to the leIlslature.)
 Mr. Griffin, from the same committee, re- ported adversely to the petition of E. and Geo. Cheek. Report adopted.
 Mr. Harris, from select committee, reported back the bill to charter the Ponlsett turn pike company, with amendment, which was adopted; and the bill as amended was then read thrd time and passed.
 Mir, Chlders, from a select committed re- ported back Senate bill No. 96. and recotn- mended it's passage. On the adoption of the report Mi. Gibson called for the ayes and nays ayes 39, nays 15 Report adopted. Mr. Wll. hams of Lawrence moved q suspension of the rules to read the bill third tme-wIch mo- tion did not prevail.
 Mir. Pettigrew offered a resolution tnndernig the use of the Hall to Hon. w. C. Bevens and others, to make railroad speeches on Tuesday to-monow) evening next, at o'clock, P. M. which was not adopted.
 Mir. BoWden offered resolution coninny members to 10 minutes in speaking for the re- mainder of the session. Adopted
 Mir. Lea of Dallas, offered resolution pre- scrbng the rules of business foI the remainder of the session. Lost.
 Mir. Johnson offered a resolution to pay Hon. Gilbert Cottelell his per diem from the com mencement of the session. MT. Gibson pro- posed to amend by saying, ito receive per diem for the time he left until he returned he being considered on leave of absence, to decide the contest between himself and his competitor"
 MT. Oates moved to lay the resolution and amendment on the table indefinitely; which motion prevailed.
 Mr. Anderson offered a resolution to authorize the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House to certify the accounts of clerks to the various committees. Adopted.
 MT. Edmondson of Sebastian, and Mir. New ton of Johnson obtained leave to introduce blls-one to give validity to acts of agents and attorneys in certain cases; the other to amend sec. 4, chapter 75 Euglish's Digest, under head of "tree negroes and mulattoes," which was read first time.
 The business on the calendar taken up, and House bill No. 75, defining duties of clerks in this State, referred to a select committee, con- sistng of Messrs. Williams of Marion, Butler and Boone Bill No. 205, for the relief of Francis Samuel, was read second time Mir Gray moved suspension of the rules to read it third time; Mir. Pettigrew objected and the rules were not suspended.
 House bills No. POS and 211-the first pro- vidlns for the reissue of swamp land scrip in certain cases, and the second, to more fully pro- tect licensed ferrymen, was taken up and read second time; and severally laid on the table indefinitely.
 House joint resolution to improve Black river was read second time, and laid on the table indefinitely.
 House joint resolution relative to asking Con. gress for grant of lands to aid in the conslruc. ton of the M. 0. & R. R. railroad, was read a secold time, and joint resolution relative to a homestead for actual settlers, was also read a second time.
 House bill No. 224, to change the time of holding elections for delegates to Congress, was taken up and read a second time, and referred to a select committed, consisting of Messrs. Cook, Heffington, West, Wilson and Lee of Scott.
 House bill No. 225, amending sec 112 chap. ter of the Digest, was read second time and referred to the committee on ways and means.
 House bill 235, defining portion of line be. tween the counties of Carroll and Madison, was read a second time, and referred to the commit tee on county and county lines.
 Bill 236, authorizing the Governor to retain counsel in certain cases, was read second time
 Bill 237, imposing additional duties on the county judges of Crawford and Sebastian colln.