The report of the committee was concurred in, and the bill ordered to a second reading. Mr. Plowman, from the committee on public buildings and grounds, to which was referred a resolution introduced by Mr. Pollock, calling upon the Secretary of State for information relative to a certain bond from citizens of Springfield, providing for the purchase, without cost to the State, of additional grounds for the new State House," reported the same back, and recommended its adoption. The report of the committee was concurred in, and the resolution adopted. The Speaker laid before the House the following reports: From David J. Baker, judge of the nineteenth judicial circuit; and From S. L. Richmond, judge of the twenty-third judicial circuit; -Which were referred to the committee on judicial department. HON. SHELBY M. CULLOM, CAIRO, ILLINOIS, January 30, 1873. Speaker of the House of Representatives : SIR: In answer to the joint resolution of the General Assembly, adopted on the 14th day of January, 1873, I would respectfully submit the following report of the number of days that I have held court in the several counties comprising the 19th judicial circuit during the years 1871 and 1872. In Alexander, Pulaski, Massac and Johnson counties, the number of days reported are the exact number of days that the courts were actually in session, (excluding Sundays and adjournments) as shown by the records of the respective courts. Owing to navigation being closed on the Ohio river, I have been unable to obtain from the clerk of the Pope county circuit court, a certificate or statement in reference to that county. The report, so far as regards Pope county, is therefore based upon my recollection and best information, but it will not vary more than a day or two in the year, either one way or the other, from the true account: Total number of days of court held in the 19th judicial circuit in 1871 20 DAVID J. BAKER, 230 .225 Judge 19th Judicial Circuit. LACON, January 29, 1873. To the Speaker of the House of Representatives : In compliance with the joint resolution of the Senate and House of Representatives of this State, of January 14, 1873, I have the honor to report that I have held court in my circuit (the 23d) during the years of 1871 and 1872, the following number of days, to-wit: I desire to state that I have, within said two years, tried several suits belonging to my circuit in vacation by agent, and that I have no means but a general recollection of ascertaining the number of days occupied in trying them, but my best recollection is, that I have spent in such cases from eight to ten days and perhaps twelve days, which, added to the days actually occupied in term time, make 192 days. I desire also to suggest to the committee that it should not judge of the amount of business by the length of time we hold court, as when we hold court in this circuit we don't play, but work. Respectfully, S. L. RICHMOND, Judge 23d Judicial Circuit. Introduction of bills being in order, Mr. Collins introduced House bill, No. 175, for "An act defining the duties and fixing the compensation of the reporter of the supreme court, and repealing all acts in conflict therewith." Which was referred to the committee on fees and salaries. Mr. Dolan introduced House bill, No. 176, for "An act to amend section 88 of an act entitled 'an act in regard to roads and bridges.'' Which was referred to the committee on roads, highways and bridges. Mr. Henry introduced House bill, No. 177, for "An act to amend section 88 of an act in regard to roads and bridges,' approved April 10, 1872." Which was referred to the committee on roads, highways and bridges. Mr. Hopkins introduced House bill, No. 178, for "An act to provide for the practice of law before justices of the peace." Which was referred to the committee on fees and salaries. Mr. Hopkins introduced House bill, No. 179, for "An act to provide for the qualification of district attorney." Which was referred to the committee on fees and salaries. Mr. Jaquess introduced House bill, No. 180, for "An act to amend an act entitled "Corporations,' amendatory of division one (entitled towns), Gross' statutes, providing for the vacation of town plats and partition of same." Which was referred to the committee on judiciary. Mr. Jones introduced House bill, No. 181, for "An act to repeal an act entitled 'an act to increase the jurisdiction of county courts,' approved April 5, 1872." Which was referred to the committee on judicial department. Mr. Mann introduced House bill, No. 182, for "An act for the protection of livery stable keepers, and other persons keeping or boarding horses at livery or pasture." Which was referred to the committee on judiciary. Mr. McAdams introduced House bill, No. 183, for "An act regulating the sale of machines used for agricultural or domestic purposes, by preventing excessive and extortionate prices." Which was referred to the committee on agriculture and horticulture. Mr. McPherran introduced House bill, No. 184, for "An act to amend an act entitled 'an act concerning conveyances,' approved March 29, 1872." Which was referred to the committee on judiciary. Mr. Quinn introduced House bill, No. 185, for "An act to amend section 45 of an act to fix the salaries of State officers; of the judges of the circuit court 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 of cases; 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,' approved March 29, 1872." Mr. Quinn moved that the rules be suspended, the bill read a first time, and made a special order for next Wednesday; which was agreed to, and The bill was read a first time, and made the special order for next Wednesday. On motion of Mr. Bradwell, The rules were suspended, and the bill was ordered printed. Mr. Thornton introduced House bill, No. 186, for "An act to amend sections forty-four (44) and forty-five (45) of an act entitled 'an act to establish and maintain a system of free schools,' approved April 1, 1872." Which was referred to the committee on education. Mr. Walker introduced House bill, No. 187, for "An act prescribing the mode of electing directors or managers of incorporated companies, in compliance with section 3, article 11, of the constitution." Which was referred to the committee on railroads. Mr. Wayman introduced House bill, No 188, for "An act to protect persons pledging personal property as collateral security for loans of money in the State of Illinois.” Which was referred to the committee on miscellaneous subjects. By consent, Senate bill, No. 48, for "An act to amend section 7 of an act entitled 'an act to provide for the appointment, qualification and duties of notaries public, and certifying their official acts,' approved April 5, 1872," Was taken up, read at large a firs. time, and, On motion of Mr. Washburn, Referred to the committee on judiciary. Mr. Ray submitted the following: WHEREAS, the conflict of authority between the Mayor and the Board of Police and Fire Commis. sioners of the city of Chicago, threatens the peace and dignity of the State; therefore, Resolved, That the judiciary committee be instructed to prepare a bill to abolish said board. Mr. Ray moved to lay the resolution on the table, and make it the special order for to-morrow morning, immediately after the reading of the journal. Mr. Quinn moved to lay the resolution on the table; which was not agreed to. The question recurring upon the motion of Mr. Ray, it was agreed to. On motion of Mr. Collins, it was Resolved, That the committee on revenue are hereby instructed to inquire into the expediency of so amending the "Act for the assessment of property, and for the levy and collection of taxes," approved April 1, 1872, as to make the taxes for county and school purposes payable from December first until January fifteenth, of each year, and for State and other purposes payable from June first until July fifteenth, of each year, and to report by bill or otherwise. Mr. Halpin submitted the following: WHEREAS, by the provisions of "An act for the assessment of property, and for the levy and collection of taxes," approved March 30, 1872, commonly known as the General Revenue Law, much inconvenience and great evils have been and now are experienced by the authorities in incorporated cities in the levy and collection of taxes for municipal purposes, and for public improvements-facts which have been brought to the attention of this House, in a forcible manner, by the number of bills already presented during the present session, designed to amend or repeal certain clauses in said act; therefore, be it Resolved, That the committee on municipal affairs be and they are hereby instructed to examine into the provisions of said law, and report, at an early day, such amendment as will enable any incorporated city, town or village in this State to make assessments, levy and collect taxes for municipal purposes, and for the purpose of taking public improvements within their respective corporate limits, under the provisions of their charters. And be it further resolved, That in order that said amendments may be made in harmony with the spirit and intent of the general revenue law of the State, all bills referred to other committees, having a direct bearing upon this subject, be recalled from the committees to which they have been referred, and re-referred to the committee on municipal affairs. And for this purpose said committee is hereby anthorized to send for such persons and papers as to them may seem necessary. Which was agreed to. Mr. Bishop of McHenry submitted the following: WHEREAS, several committees of the House have now and are likely to have an overburthen of work, of bills and resolutions referred for their consideration, so as to render it utterly impossible for them to consider the same in a reasonable length of time; and whereas, it appears that a number of commit tees have little or nothing to do, and from this cause the work of legislation is materially impeded, and we fear not adequate to the demands of the people of the State; and whereas, the Attorney General of the State is at all times accessible for all committees to counsel with, on points of law, and willing at all times to assist and give advice to such committees; and whereas, the people of the State have sent us here, as their representatives, to enact suitable laws and remedy those defective, and believing that every member of this body is willing to perform the several duties imposed on him as such member, and also believing that it would advance legislation to keep all the members employed, either in committee rooms or the House, and would be more satisfactory to the members; therefore, be it Resolved, That we respectfully request that committees having an overburthen of bills to consider, refer a portion of the same back, and recommend that they be referred to others having little or no work to do, thereby keeping all the members employed, and push the business of legislation as speedily as possible for the interest of the people, and thereby save the burthen of taxpayers. Which was adopted. Mr. Morrison submitted the following: WHEREAS, one of our members has fallen in death, and the hour of his burial is now at hand; therefore, Resolved, That as a further mark of respect to the Hon. Nehemiah Bushnell, this House do now adjourn. Which was adopted. In pursuance of said resolution, at eleven o'clock A. M. the House adjourned. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1873. The House met, pursuant to adjournment. Prayer by the Rev. Mr. Harnes, The journal of yesterday was read. The resolution in reference to abolishing the board of police and fire commissioners of Chicago, which was made the special order for this morning, was taken up. On motion of Mr. Ray, The consideration of the resolution was postponed, and made the special order for Wednesday, February 12th, immediately after the reading of the journal. Mr. Savage submitted the following resolution of inquiry: WHEREAS an article has appeared in a public newspaper charging that Edward Rummel, late Secretary of State, has charged and received for copying certain public documents, a sum much larger than is allowed by law; therefore, Resolved, That a committee of this House, to consist of five members, be appointed to examine into the conduct of the said Edward Rummel, late Secretary of State, in relation to the public printing, and report their conclusions to this House. Said committee is hereby authorized to send for papers and examine witnesses. Which was adopted. On motion of Mr. Jones, it was Resolved, That the committee on public buildings and grounds examine the grounds on which the new State House is being erected, and report whether it is necessary that any additional grounds should be procured by warranty deed before any more appropriations are made for building said State House, and that said committee report to this House on this subject as soon as practicable. Mr. Armstrong of Grundy submitted the following: Resolved. That the Secretary of State be and is hereby requested to procure, for the use of the committee on judicial department, three hundred skeleton maps of the State of Illinois, showing the location and population of each county, as shown by the census of 1870. Which was referred to the committee on contingent expenses. A message from the Governor, by Mr. Pinkham: Mr. Speaker: I am directed by the Governor to lay before the House of Representatives a written communication, together with accompanying documents: STATE OF ILLINOIS, EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, To the Honorable the General Assembly : I have the honor to lay before the Senate and House of Representatives the Annual Report of the State Treasurer for the year 1872; also |