Which was read a first time, and ordered to a second reading. Mr. Rountree, from the committee on revision, introduced House bill, No. 619, for "An act to revise the law in relation to the commitment and detention of lunatics." Which was read a first time, and ordered to a second reading. Mr. Rountree, from the committee on revision, introduced House bill, No. 620, for "An act to revise the law in relation to the common law." Which was read a first time, and ordered to a second reading. Mr. Rountree, from the committee on revision, introduced House bill, No. 621, for "An act to revise the law in relation to the construction of the statutes." Which was read a first time, and ordered to a second reading. Mr. Rountree, from the committee on revision, introduced House bill, No. 622, for "An act to revise the law in relation to costs." Which was read a first time, and ordered to a second reading. Mr. Roundtree, from the committee on revision, submitted House bill, No. 623, for "An act to revise the law in relation to counties," as a substitute for Senate bill, No. 281, for "An act relating to counties, and the management of county affairs." The substitute was read a first time. Mr. Rountree moved that the bill be recommitted to the committee on revision. Mr. Armstrong of Grundy moved to amend the motion by referring the bill to the committee on counties and township organization; which was not agreed to. The question then being on recommitting the bill to the committee on revision, it was decided in the negative. Mr. Connolly moved to refer the bill to the committee on county and township organization; which was not agreed to. On motion of Mr. Ballow, At 4:45 P. M. the House adjourned. THURSDAY, JANUARY 8, 1874. The House met at the regular hour. Prayer by the Rev. Mr. Paynter. The journal of yesterday was being read, when, Ön motion of Mr. Ballow, The further reading of the same was dispensed with. Mr. Herrington moved to suspend the rules to receive the following resolution: Resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring herein. That the session of the 28th General Assembly adjourn sine die on Friday, the 9th inst., at twelve o'clock meridian. Which was not agreed to, yeas 48, nays 71-the yeas and nays being demanded by five members. Those voting in the affirmative are, Messrs. Alexander of Crawford, Anderson, Barkley, Bishop of McHenry, Booth, Bradwell, Bryant, Casey, Cassedy, Carpenter, Connolly, Cronkrite, Darnell, Dolan, Dresser, Dunham, Ferrier, Forth, Graham, Grant. Hawes, Henry. Herrington, Hoiles, Hopkins, Lane of Hancock, Lemma, Lewis, Marsh, Massie, McPherran, Morrison, Newton, Oberly, Oleson, Plowman, Ray, Rountree, Savage, Scott, Shumway, Snow, Streetor, Truitt, Warner, Washburn, Webber, Wicker-48. Those voting in the negative are, Messrs. Alexander of Montgomery, Armstrong of Grundy, Armstrong of LaSalle, Ballow, Blakely, Bullard, Chambers, Crawford, Davis, Dement, Dewey, Dolton, Easley, Efner, Flanders, Freeland, Freeland, Freeman, Granger, Gridley, Griffith, Hart, Harvey, Hite of Madison, Hite of St. Clair, Hollenback, Jaquess, Jackson, James, Jessup, Jones, Kase, Loomis, Mann, McAdams, McGee, Meacham, Mitchell, Moore of Marshall, Moore of Adams, Moose, Moffett, Mulvane, Neville, Nulton, Oakwood, Orendorfi, Peltzer, Pinnell, Pollock, Pyatt, Race, Rankin, Rice, Rogers, Sawyer, Scanlan, Senne, Sheridan, Soule, Starr, Stewart of Winnebago, Stroud, Taggart, Thomas, Virden, Walker, Webster, Weinheimer, Westfall, Wymore, Mr. Speaker-71. So the motion to suspend the rules was not agreed to. Leave of absence was granted to Mr. Peltzer on account of sickness in his family. Mr. Dunham moved to suspend the rules to receive a report from the committee on revision; which was not agreed to. Mr. Anderson introduced House bill, No. 624, for "An act to amend section 43 of an act entitled 'an act to establish and maintain a system of free schools.'" Which was referred to the committee on education. Mr. Armstrong of Grundy introduced House bill, No. 625, for "An act to amend an act entitled 'an act in regard to the administration of estates,' in force July 1, 1872," by adding an additional section thereto. Which was referred to the committee on judiciary. Mr. Armstrong of LaSalle introduced House bill, No. 626, for "An act repealing an act entitled 'an act for the registry of electors and to prevent fraudulent voting,' approved Feb. 15, 1865." Which was referred to the committee on elections. Mr. Ballow introduced House bill, No. 627, for "An act to provide for special elections in incorporated towns or villages incorporated under the general incorporation law or by special act of the legislature." Which was referred to the committee on corporations. Mr. Cronkrite introduced House bill, No. 628, for "An act to amend section sixteen (16) of article eleven (11) of an act entitled 'an act to provide for the incorporation of cities and villages,' approved April 10, 1872." Which was referred to the committee on municipal affairs. Mr. Cronkrite introduced House bill, No. 629, for "An act to repeal an act entitled an act for the registry of electors and to prevent fraudulent voting,' approved Feb. 15, 1865." Which was referred to the committee on elections. Mr. Dement introduced House bill, No. 630, for "An act to repeal 'an act to establish the court of common pleas in the city of Amboy, in Lee county.'" Which was referred to the committee on judiciary. Mr. Efner introduced House bill, No. 631, for "An act to amend section one of an act entitled 'an act in regard to the administration of estates,' approved April 1, 1872." Which was referred to the committee on judiciary. Mr. Moose introduced House bill, No. 632, for "An act to amend section two (2) of an act entitled 'an act concerning masters-in-chancery,' in force July 1, 1872." Which was referred to the committee on judiciary. Mr. Plowman introduced House bill. No. 633, for "An act to provide for the organization of county fire insurance companies." Which was referred to the committee on insurance. Mr. Rountree introduced House bill, No. 634, for "An act to amend section forty-four of an act entitled "an act to fix the salaries of State officers; of the Judges of the Circuit Courts and Superior Court of Cook county; of the State's Attorneys; of the Judges and Prosecuting Attorneys of Inferior Courts in cities and towns; of the County Officers of Cook County; to regulate the fees of the Secretary of State and of the Clerks of the Supreme Court; to classify the counties according to population, and fix the scale of fees for county officers in each class; to establish the fees of Masters-in-Chancery, Notaries Public, Commissioners, Arbitrators, Jurors, Witnesses, Justices of the Peace, Constables, and all town officers; to provide the mode of rendering their accounts, and to fix a penalty for exacting illegal fees.'" Which was read a first time and ordered to a second reading. Mr. Rountree introduced House bill, No. 635, for "An act to provide for fees of certain officers therein named in counties of the third class." Which was referred to the committee on fees and salaries. Mr. Scanlan introduced House bill, No. 636, for "An act to amend sections 1, 2 and 6 of an act entitled 'an act amendatory of the mechanic's lien law of this State,' in force April 5, 1869." Which was referred to the committee on judiciary. Mr. Morrison presented the credentials of Alfred P. Crosby, Representative from the 43d Senatorial District. Mr. Crosby then came forward and took the oath required by the Constitution, which was administered to him by Hon. Cyrus Epler, Judge of the 18th Judicial Circuit. Mr. Walker introduced House bill, No. 637, for "An act to record executions when the same has been levied upon real estate." Which was referred to the committee on judiciary. On motion of Mr. Dunham, The rules were suspended, to continue the introduction of bills from the committee on revision. Mr. Dunham, from the committee on revision, introduced House bill, No. 638, for "An act to revise the law in relation to county treasurer." Which was read a first time, and ordered to a second reading. Mr. Dunham, from the committee on revision, introduced House bill, No. 639, for "An act to revise the law in relation to fences." Which was read a first time, and, On motion of Mr. Moffit, The bill was referred to the committee on agriculture. Mr. Dunham, from the committee on revision, introduced House bill, No. 640, for "An act to revise the law in relation to escheat." Which was read a first time, and ordered to a second reading. Mr. Dunham, from the committee on revision, introduced House bill, No. 641, for "An act to revise the law in relation to ferries." Which was read a first time, and ordered to a second reading. Mr. Dunham, from the committee on revision, introduced House bill, No. 642, for "An act to revise the law in relation to the Illinois and Michigan Canal." Which was read a first time, and ordered to a second reading. By consent, Mr. Hay, from the committee on judiciary, submitted the following report: WHEREAS the Hon. W. T. Sylvester was, at the general election in November, 1872, duly elected a Representative to the 28th General Assembly for the 32d senatorial district, and qualified and entered upon the discharge of his duties as such; and, whereas, the said Hon. W. T. Sylvester has since that time removed, and changed his domicil from the said 32d senatorial district to the county of Macon, in the 29th senatorial district; therefore, Resolved, That the said Hon. W. T. Sylvester has by such removal and change of domicil vacated his office as member of the 28th General Assembly, and the clerk of this House is hereby ordered to omit his name, henceforth, from the rolls of the House. The committee on judiciary, to whom the foregoing resolution was referred, respectfully report to the House: That said committee have had the resolution referred to under consideration, but as the Hon. W. T. Sylvester was not present, nor had he had notice to be present, the committee did not feel authorized to pass upon the questions of fact recited in said resolution; and it was further considered by the committee, that if any inquiry as to the facts was involved, that such inquiry more appropriately belonged to the committee on elections. The committee conceiving, however, that the object of the reference was mainly to obtain the opinion of this committee upon the assumed state of facts recited in the resolution, upon such assumption, state their opinion that the permanent removal of a Representative from the district for which he was elected, during the term for which he was elected, would work a disqualification to hold the office, and create a vacancy to be filled by election. The committee, therefore, recommend that the resolution be referred to the committee on elections for its report upon the facts, and that, upon such report, the proper action be taken. Mr. Dunham, from the committee on revision, introduced House bill, No. 643, for "An act to revise the law in relation to injuries." Which was read a first, and ordered to a second reading. A message from the Governor, by Philo J. Beveridge, Private Secretary: STATE OF ILLINOIS, EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, To the Honorable the House of Representatives: I have the honor to lay before the House of Representatives the Annual Report of the Secretary of State, on Public Printing, made to the Governor, in compliance with section 24 of an act entitled "An act to provide for and regulate the execution of public printing," in force July 1st, 1872. By the Governor : JOHN L. BEVERIDGE, Governor. PHILO J. BEVERIDGE, Private Secretary. STATE OF ILLINOIS, SECRETARY'S OFFICE, To His Excellency JOHN L. BEVERIDGE, Governor : SIR: In accordance with the instructions contained in section 24 of "An act to provide for and regulate the public printing," in force July 1, 1872, I have the honor to present the following report. The present contract for the state printing was awarded to Messrs. Wm. H. Bailhache and E. L. Merritt on the 7th day of September, 1872, pursuant to law, said contract to take effect on the first Monday of November of that year, which was the 4th day of that month. Said award is in the words and figures as follows, to-wit: STATE OF ILLINOIS, SPRINGFIELD, September 7, 1872. In accordance with the law and an advertisement dated July 16, 1872, the Commissioners of Publio Printing met at the office of the Secretary of State on Monday, the 26th day of August, A. D. 1872, for the purpose of opening and considering the proposals for the public printing for two years from the first Monday in November next. One bid only having been filed, the same was opened, when it was found that said proposal was signed by W. H. Bailhache and E. L. Merritt, both of Springfield, Ill., at the following prices, to-wit: First Class-For composition per 1,000 ems: plain composition, 60 cents; figure work, 90 cents; rule and figure work, $1.20 Press work, per 100 impressions, 25 cts. Second Class-Foy composition per 1,000 ems: plain composition, 60 cents; figure work, 90 cents; rule and figure work, $1 20. Press work, per 100 impressions, 25 cents. Third Class-For composition per 1,000 ems: plain composition, 60 cents; figure work, 90 cents; rule and figure work, $1 20. Press work, per 100 impressions, 25 cents. Fourth Class-For composition per 1,000 ems: plain composition, 60 cents; figure work, 90 cents; rule and figure work, $1 20. Press work. per 100 impressions, 25 cents. Fifth Class-For composition per 1,000 ems: plain composition, 60 cents; figure work, 90 cents; rule and figure work, $1 20. Press work, per 25 impressions, 25 cents. No other bids having been received, and one of the Commissioners being absent, namely, Hon E. N. Bates, State Treasurer, the Commissioners adjourned their meeting, without awarding the contracts until Tuesday, the 3d day of September, 1872. On Tuesday, September 3d, 1872, the Auditor of Public Accounts being absent, the Commissioners of Printing further postponed the awarding of the contracts until Saturday, September 7th, 1872, on which day they met, and awarded the said contracts for the several classes of public printing, for two years from the first Monday of November next, to the said bidders, W. H. Bailhache and E. L. Merritt, at the prices for the several classes as above specified in their said proposal. [Signed] EDWARD RUMMEL, Secretary of State, Under the provisions of the said award and contract, the State printers have performed their duties in a satisfactory manner. As there has been no final settlement with the State printers, and will not be until the term of their contract expires, the exact cost of work cannot be stated, but upon careful estimates of the work done from the commencement of the present contract, and until the 30th day of November, 1873, inclusive, I have to report that: The cost for all classes of printing for the State under the contract will amount to Extra work, and paper for blanks, circulars, commissions and election registers. Total estimated cost from November 4, 1872, to November 30, 1873 .$58,063 58 19,798 56 11, 141 32 $89,003 46 This aggregate is made up for work done and paper furnished for the following departments and objects, viz: For printing reports and messages, and for bills introduced in both branches of the General .$41, 372 82 Extra paper for covers, etc 1,041 19 1,019 97 For printing blanks for Governor's office... For printing blanks for use of both branches of the General Assembly For printing blanks for office of Secretary of State For paper for blanks, etc., for General Assembly. Governor, Treasurer, Seeretary of State, For printing blanks for office of Auditor of Public Accounts and Insurance Department For paper, etc., for blanks, etc., for Auditor's office and Insurance Department For printing blanks for office of State Treasurer.. For printing blanks for office of Superintendent of Public Instruction For paper, etc., for blanks for office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. For printing blanks, etc., for office of Attorney-General. For printing blanks, etc., for use of State Board of Equalization.. For printing election registers.. For paper for election registers.. For ruling, stitching and packing same.. For printing paper for laws passed, and for use of the General Assembly. Total 11 80 1,923 90 604 05 2,165 92 796 70 47 80 1,210 32 288 90 274 95 113 30 9,922 80 3,792 88 4,360 25 19,798 56 237 35 889, 003 46 It will be observed by your Excellency that the item of cost for election registers is one of some magnitude, amounting in the aggregate to the large sum of $18,073 93. It is a question in my mind if this expense could not be saved to the State, either by fixing a maximum price for the cost of these documents, modifying, or repealing the law entirely. Whether the law, as now in force and carried out, is of enough value to the State, or is a protection to the bona fide electors of this commonwealth, to outweigh the expense to the people, is a matter of grave doubt in my mind; and, feeling that the money so expended should be saved to the State if possible, I have taken the liberty to call the atten tion of your Excellency to what, in my humble opinion, is a matter of considerable importance. On the 2d day of May, 1873, during the first session of the 28th Gen, eral Assembly, the following resolution was adopted: |