The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1858-12-16
Legislative proceedings.

The President laid before the Senate a
communication from the Auditor of State,
in answer to resolution of the Senate as to
whether any legislation was necessary for
the reimbursement, by the Free Banks, of
the expenditure made for them in the Bank
Department Of the Auditors Office, by the
State authorities, which was referred to the
Committee on Banks.
A temperance memorial was presented by
Mr.. Steele.
The Committee on Benevolent Institutions
was instructed to inquire into the expedien-
cy of erecting Houses of Refuge for juvenile
offenders.
Sundry resolutions were offered; one for
the protection ofsheep, one on adjourning,
one on abolishing the office of Superinten-
dent Of Public Instruction, one for encour-
agement to the people for raising sheep, and
one to take up messages from the House.
Mr.. Wallace presented bill regulating
the mode of choosing U. S. Senators, pre-
scribing the time, place, &c. -
The bill proposes a mode of choosing e.
S. Senators, by the General Assembly, in
! conforming to the Constitution of the Uni
ted States. Its leading feature is novel
one, viz; providing plan by which the
voters at large can designate to whom they
want the Legislature to choose U. S. Sena-
| tors.
Mr.. Cravens introduced bill to change
the time for the election of members of Con-
gress; Mr.. Lomax one to amend an act for
the election of township assessors, and for
the valuation and assessment ofthe real pro-
perty of the State. One by Mr.. Jones to
provide compensation to persons who bring
to justice fugitives Of the law i; Mr.. Heffren
one toprevent the destruction of sheep and
other stock by dogs. All these bills passed
the first reading. -H-tt
Several Honse bills passed their first read
ing. .....
! Mr. Heffren's bill relative to the enforce
ment of the free negro clause of our consti-
tuition, was referred to Select Committee.
Little else was done.
In the House various petitions were pre-
sented.
Mr.. Dobbins submitted the following,
which was adopted
Whereas, Section second of article 9th OF
the Constitution of the State, declares that
"the General Assembly shall provide Houses
: of Refuge, for the correction and reforma-
ton of Juvenile offenders and, Whereas
recent developments admonish us of the in.
crease of this character of offenders; and
Whereas, it is unwise and impolitic to send
such youthful outlaws to the State Prison
to mingle with the old, experienced, and
hardened creatures Of crime, such as are
usually sent to that institution Therefore
be it
RssoIVed, That the Speaker is hereby
authorized to appoint select committee
consisting of one member from each Con
gressional Districtin the State, whose duty
J it shall be, at as early day as possible, t
report bill to this House, which, in thu
language of the Constitution, shall pro
vide Houses of Refuge for the correction anC
reformation of Juvenile offenders !" Pro
, vided, That there shall not be more thar
five nor less than three of such House
, erected, and that the same shall be LOCATED
in various parts OF the State.
The use of the Hall was granted the Stat
Teachers Association, for holding their an
nual meeting.
Two or three bills were introduced regu
lating the sale of intoxicating drinks.
Mr.. Smith, of Perry, introduced bill
supplemental to the act providing for tn
f relocation of county seats, relocation Q
) highways, &c, approved March 2, 1855
r and providing for rejection of count,
, seats, where lands and Court-houses hav
been donated, and petition filed, which wa
l read through and passed the first reading