The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-01-29
WORK OF THE HOUSE.
Visiting COmmitte Provided For
Disposition to Limit Trustees.

The House opened with the in 'oduction
Of q couple of bills, one of which was for
the payment of the claim of A. NJ. Sweeney.
ex-clerk of the Supreme Court, for the
copying of some records. The other was by
Mr.. Reynolds. fixing a schedule of fees to
be paid township trustees instead Of a per
diem in townships of less than p, 600 inhab-
itantS. Then ensued a very long discussion
over unimportant details of the bill provid-
ing for the discharge of convicts. AS final
ly passed by the House the bill provides
that the discharged prisoner shall be given
$40 in money, a suit of clothes costing Sc
and an overcoat costing s. and shall be
placed upon the train with a ticket to such
destination within the prison district as he
may choose by the warden and there given
his discharge. The bill for the relief of
Henry Dunkle from a tax lien in Upton
county was passed and Senator Ellison's
bill enabling the Commissioners of Allen
pletion of their courthouse was passed I'M
der suspension of the rules.
The bill of Mr.. Roots providing for a Wis
iting committee of three TO the State insti-
tutions was discussed to some extent and
passed by a vote OF Go to II. The bill is
designed to give the Legislature accurate
and reliable information as to the needs of
the State institutions in the way of appro-
priation5 and TO do away with the junketing
trips of legislative committees during the
session. 1t provides that at least forty-five
days before the beginning of the session the
Governor shall appoint a committee COM
posed of one senator and two representa-
tives-elect who shall visit all the institu-
tons Of the State and prepare a report up
on their necessities TO the Legislature in
order that the WAYS and means cOmmiftaa
may have reliable information upon which
to base the appropriation. 1t provides that
IS per day and their actual expenses, but
they shall not spend more than thirty days
in their Investigations.
Mr.. kaySerS Dill extending the term of
township trustees from November, 1895. to
August, 1899. was handed down on second
reading. The discussion showed very plain
ly that the House vas not disposed TO ex-
tend the terms and the rtll was comm
ted. Mr.. Sutton's bill giving the trustees
of incorporated towns power TO regulate
and license bankrupt sales, ueddlers. gam
bling devices, poles, vehicles and liquor SELL
ing was discussed slightly and or
dered engrossed. Mr.. Littleton's phar-
macy bill was read the sacond
time and made a special order for
next Tuesday morning. The bill of Mr..
ROOSe providing for the formation If a Ia
Dor commission was also read the seCopd
time and made a special order for Tuesday
| afternoon.
Second readings we're resumed in the
afternoon and Mr.. James's bill providing a
method of renewing school-fund loans for
a second five years where there mas been
no default was engrossed with a slight
amendment.
Mr.. East's bill repeating sections of the
tax law was handed down on third reading.
The author explained that the four sections
repealed by the bill gave opportunities for
people to get possession of land sold for
taxes by simply paying the costs of suit.
IL was literally discussed AID passed by a
vote of 81 to 10.
Mr.. Canada's bill amending the road laws
L pHaC handed 6nUrn on third rnodinr Tho
| only effect of the bill is TO extend the time
for working out the road tax, so that the
roads can be worked at any time between
April l and Nov. / following. The bill was
passed without discussion.
Mr.. Canada's bill requiring county COM
miSsioners in counties where there are or
phans' homes TO keep IN such homes all
children who are charges upon the county
was read the third time and discussed. Mr..
the managers OF he homes a'wlys found
permanent homes for the waits and they
would thus cease TO become charges upon
the county. 1t was finally
Half a dozen such bills were read the sec
Ond time and passed to engroSsmert.
was that of MIR. Roofs limiting the TuT-
chasing power of town snip trustees. The
bill provides as follows:
"When it becomes necessary for the truS-
tee of any township I'm this State 10 incur
on behalf OF his township any debt or
debts in excess of the. fund on hand. to
which such debt or debts are chargeable,
such trustee shall first procure an order
from the Board of County Commissioner
of the county in which said township is
situated. authorizing him To contract such
Indebtedness. Such township trustee shall
give due notice by publishing in a weekly
newspaper in the county at least three
weeks prior 10 the first day of a session OF
the Board OF County commissioners that n
petition 10 incur Indebtedness on behalf OF
the township will be presented to the board.
Such petition and notice shall state the OBJ
ject for which such debt or debts are to
be incurred and the amount required.
THE trustee of any township Is hereby
prohibited from binding his township by
contract or obligation. written or verbal,
for any supplies OF whatsoever kind i'm an
amount exceeding $50. But he shall have
power TO contract for necessary supplies
In amounts less than 81. Whenever II