BILLS ON FIRST READING. The following bills were read the first time: Senate File No. 53, A bill for an act to limit the term of office of county treasurer and sheriff. Senate File No. 54, A bill for an act for the relief of purchasers, or their assigns, of school lands. Senate File No. 55, A bill for an act to amend section 62, chapter 9, of the general statutes, entitled "Burning buildings and other property." Senate File No. 56, A bill for an act to amend section 311, chapter 2, title 9, of the code of civil procedure of the State of Nebraska. Senate File No. 57, A bill for an act entitled, "An act conferring jurisdiction on justices of the peace and county courts." Senate File No. 58, A bill for an act to amend section 3 of an act entitled, An act to provide for the establishment of a fiscal agency for the State of Nebraska, in the city of New York, and prescribing the duties of officers in relation thereto." Senate File No. 59, A bill for an act to provide for the refunding of taxes which may have been illegally levied and collected. Senate File No. 60, A bill for an act to define the north boundary of Butler County. Senate File No. 61, A bill for an act to authorize the secretary and auditor of state to certify bonds issued by counties, cities and precincts to aid in the construction of railroads, and carry out article XII of the constitution of the state, and legalize bonds heretofore certified. By unanimous consent, The following bills were introduced and read the first time: Senate File No. 62, A bill for an act to regulate the practice of medicine and surgery in the State of Nebraska. By Mr. Powers, Senate File No. 63, A bill for an act to amend section 21, of chapter 78, of an act to establish the university of Nebraska. By Mr. Calkins, Senate File No. 64, A bill for an act to provide stenographic reporters for the district courts, and to repeal an act to provide for shorthand reporters in the district courts, approved February 9th, 1875. By Mr. Thummel, Senate File No. 65, A bill for an act to provide for transferring territory from one county to another. Mr. Garfield asked and obtained leave of absence until Monday noon, January 15th. Mr. North asked and obtained leave of absence until Monday noon, January 15th. On motion, The senate adjourned until to-morrow at 10 o'clock A. M. TENTH DAY. Secretary Senate. SENATE CHAMBER, Friday, January 12, 1877, Ten o'clock A. M. The senate met pursuant to adjournment, and was called to order by the president. The roll was called and there were present: Messrs. Ambrose, Aten, Baird, Blanchard, Brown, Bryant, Birkhauser, Calkins, Carns, Chapman, Colby, Covell, Crawford, Dawes, Ferguson, Gilham, Hayes, Hinman, Howe, Kennard, Pepoon, Powers, Thummel, Van Wyck, Walton and Wilcox-26. Absent with leave: Messrs. Garfield, Holt, Knapp and North-4. Mr. Birkhauser asked for and obtained leave of absence until Monday noon, for Mr. Holt. Prayer by the chaplain. The following message was received from the house by Mr. Slaughter, its chief elerk. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, LINCOLN, January 12, 1877. Mr. President: I am directed by the house to inform your honorable body that the house has concurred in the action of the senate in the matter of printing the governor's message. B. D. SLAUGHTER, Chief Clerk. Journal read and approved. REPORTS FROM STANDING COMMITTEES. The committee on finance, ways and means submitted the following report: Mr. President: Your committee, to whom was referred Senate File No. 40, A bill for an act to repeal an act entitled "An act to create the office of delinquent tax collector, and to define his duties," Having had the same under consideration, report the same back and recommend that the bill do pass. G. W. AMBROSE, Chairman. The committee on public charities submitted the following report: Mr. President: We, the committee to whom was referred Senate File No. 39, A bill for an act concerning the disposition of witness fees in certain cases, Beg leave to report the same to your honorable body, with the recommendation that it do pass. G. W. COVELL, JAS. S. GILHAM, Committee. The committee on finance, ways and means submitted the following report: Mr. President: Your committee on finance, ways and means, to whom was rereferred Senate File No. 27, A bill for an act to amend section 64, of an act to provide a system of revenue, approved February 15th, 1869. Also, Senate File No. 45, A bill for an act to amend an act entitled "An act to create the office of delinquent tax collector, and to define his duties," approved February 24th, 1875, Having had the same under consideration, report the said bills back to the senate, and recommend that the bills be indefinitely postponed. G. W. AMBROSE, Chairman. The committee on judiciary submitted the following report: Mr. President: Your committee, to whom was referred Senate File No. 4, A bill for an act to amend section two (2) of an act entitled "An act to provide for the taxing of costs in certain cases," Having had the same under consideration, report the same back to the senate, with the recommendation that the bill do not pass. Also, Senate File No. 10, A bill for an act to amend section 11, of chapter 13, entitled "Counties." Also, Senate File No. 16, A bill for an act to amend section 583, of chapter 57, of the code of civil procedure, And report said bills back to the senate, with sundry amendments, and recommend that they do pass as amended. SAM. M. CHAPMAN, Chairman. The committee on public lands and buildings submitted the following report: Mr. President : Your committee on public lands and buildings, to which was referred, Senate File No. 12, |