TO THE HON. SHELBY M. CULLOM, Speaker of the House of Representatives: The committee on judicial department, to whom was referred House bill, No. 261, for "An act to redeem real estate sold on trust deeds and sale mortgages," have had the same under consideration, and direct me to report the same back, with a recommendation that it do not pass. FEBRUARY 17, 1873. The report of the committee was concurred in, and the bill was laid on the table. Mr. Swan, from the committee on fees and salaries, to which was House bill, No. 119, for "An act to amend an act entitled '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," reported the same back, with a substitute. The report of the committee was concurred in, the bill laid upon the table, and the substitute read a first time, and ordered to a second reading. Mr. Swan, from the committee on fees and salaries, to which was referred House bill, No. 185, for "An act to repeal section 45 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,' approved March 29, 1872," reported the same back, and recommended that it do not pass, and submitted as a substitute therefor House bill, No. 223, 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." The report of the committee was concurred in, the bill laid on the table, and the substitute read a first time and ordered to a second reading. Mr. Swan, from the committee on fees and salaries, to which was referred House bill, No. 316, for "An act to amend section forty-four (44) 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 town officers; to provide the mode of rendering their accounts, and to fix a penalty for exacting illegal fees,' approved March 29, 1872," reported the same back and recommended that it pass. The report of the committee was concurred in, the bill read a first time and ordered to a second reading. Mr. Rountree, from the committee on municipal affairs, to which was referred House bill, No. 243, for "An act to repeal section twelve (12) of an act entitled an act to amend the charter of the city of Springfield,' approved February 18, 1859," reported the same back and recommended that it be referred to the committee on judiciary. The report of the committee was concurred in, and the bill referred to the committee on judiciary. Mr. Rountree, from the committee on municipal affairs, to which was referred House bill, No. 295, for "An act to repeal section four (4) of ‘an act to amend the charter of the village of Lockport,' passed February 26, A. D. 1869," reported the same back, and recommended that it be referred to the committee on judiciary. The report of the committee was concurred in, and the bill was referred to the committee on judiciary. Mr. Rountree, from the committee on municipal afiairs, to which was referred House bill, No. 168, for "An act to amend an act entitled 'an act to provide for annexing and excluding territory to and from cities, towns and villages, and to unite cities, towns and villages,' approved approved April 10, 1872," reported the same back, and recommended that it be referred to the special committee on temperance. The report of the committee was concurred in, and the bill was referred to the special committee on temperance. Mr. Snow, from the committee on education, submitted the following report: To the Speaker of the House of Representatives: Mr. Speaker: Your committee on education, to whom was referred House bill, No. 169, for "An act amend section two (2) of an act entitled 'an act to authorize cities, incorporated towns and townships to establish and maintain free public libraries and reading rooms,' approved March 17, 1872," have considered the same, and have directed me to report the same back with the recommendation that it do not pass. The report of the committee was concurred in, and the bill laid on the table. Mr. Snow, from the committee on education, to which was referred House bill, No. 276, for "An act to abolish the office of county super intendent of schools, and to provide for the organization of county boards of education," reported the same back and recommended that it be printed. The report of the committee was concurred in, and the bill ordered to be printed. Leave of absence was granted to the committee on state institutions, to visit State institutions for two days. Leave of absence was granted to Messrs. Inscore, Ballow, McDonald, Johnston and Smith. Mr. Thomas, from the committee on appropriations, to which was referred House bill, No. 311, for "An act to make an appropriation for compensation to military companies for service rendered in the city of Chicago, in the month of October, 1871," reported the same back and recommended that it be referred to the committee on claims. The report of the committee was concurred in, and the bill referred to the committee on claims. Mr. 'Pinnell, from the committee on banks and banking, to which was referred House bill, No. 204, for "An act to amend the interest laws of this State," reported the same back and recommended that it do not pass. The report of the committee was concurred in, and the bill was laid on the table. Mr. Pinnell, from the committee on banks and banking, to which was referred House bill, No. 267, for "An act to amend an act entitled 'an act to legalize ten per cent. interest, when it is agreed upon between parties,' approved January 31, 1857," reported the same back and recommended its passage. The report of the committee was concurred in, the bill was read a first time and ordered to a second reading. Mr. Pinuell, from the committee on banks and banking, to which was referred House bill, No. 281, for "An act to repeal section thirty (30) of an act entitled 'an act for the assessment of property and for the levy and collection of taxes,' approved March 30, 1872," reported the same back and recommended that it be read a first time and referred to the committee on revenue. The report of the committee was concurred in, the bill read a first time and referred to the committee on revenue. Mr. Pinnell, from the committee on banks and banking, to which was referred a resolution in relation to a circulating medium," reported the same back and recommended that it be adopted. On motion of Mr. Inscore, The resolution was ordered printed and made the special order for next Wednesday. Mr. Hawes, from the committee on county and township organization, to which was referred House bill, No. 92, for "An act to provide for examination and apportionment of licensed surveyors," reported the same back and recommended that it pass. The report of the committee was concurred in, the bill read a first time and ordered to a second reading. Mr. Hawes, from the committee on county and township organization, to which was referred House bill, No. 315, for "An act to provide for the permanent survey of townships," reported the same back and recommended that it pass. The report of the committee was concurred in, the bill read a first time and ordered to a second reading. Mr. Moffitt, from the committee on agriculture and horticulture, submitted the following report: The committee on agriculture and horticulture, to whom was referred House bill, No. 4, for "An act concerning the reorganization of county agricultural societies, in conformity to an act to create a department of agriculture in the State of Illinois,' approved April 15, 1871," would report the bill back with a substitute, and recommend the passage of the substitute, and that the original bill be laid upon the table. W. T. MOFFITT, Ch'n Com. on Agriculture and Horticulture. The report of the committee was concurred in, and the bill laid on the table. The substitute, House bill, No. 324, for "An act concerning the reorganization of county agricultural societies, in conformity to an act to create a department of agriculture in the State of Illinois,' approved April 15, 1871," was read a first time and ordered to a second reading. Mr. Dement, from the committee on manufactures, to which was referred House bill, No. 50, for "An act in relation to the sale of casks, barrels, kegs, boxes and bottles used by the manufacturers of ale, porter, lager beer, mineral waters and others," reported the same back, and recommended that it do not pass, and submitted as a substitute, House bill, No. 325, for "An act to protect manufacturers, bottlers, and dealers in ale, porter, lager beer, soda, mineral water, and other beverages from the loss of their casks, barrels, kegs, bottles and boxes." The report of the committee was concurred in, and the bill laid on the table. The substitute was read a first time and ordered to a second reading. Mr. Dement, from the committee on manufactures, to which was referred House bill, No. 66, for "An act in relation to the sale of casks, barrels, kegs, boxes and bottles used by the manufacturers of ale, porter, mineral waters and others," reported the same back and recommended that it do not pass. The report of the committee was concurred in, and the bill was laid on the table. Mr. Ferrier, from the committee on elections, to which was referred House bill, No. 48, for "An act to prevent and punish corruption at elections and nominating conventions," reported the same back, and recommended that it do not pass. The report of the committee was concurred in, and the bill was laid on the table. Mr. Sheridan, from the committee on militia, to which was referred a petition of F. B. Thompson, for back pay as surgeon in the army, reported the same back, and recommended that it be laid on the table. The report of the committee was concurred in, and the petition was laid on the table. Mr. Sheridan, from the committee on militia, to which was referred House bill, No. 272, for "An act to provide for building a soldiers' monument at the National Cemetery, near Mound City," reported the same back and recommended that it pass. The report of the committee was concurred in, the bill read a first time, and ordered to a second reading. Mr. Moore of Marshall moved to adjourn, at 12:10 A. M., until 2:30 P. M.; which was not agreed to. Mr. Bradwell, from the committee on printing, to which was referred a resolution relating to printing bills, reported the same back and recommended its passage. The report of the committee was concurred in, and the resolution adopted. Mr. Hawes (by consent) introduced House bill, No. 326, for "An act to provide for the levy and collection of a special tax for the support of an inebriate asylum." Which was referred to the special committee on temperance. Mr. Hite of Madison (by consent) introduced House bill, No. 327, for "An act to amend section 4 of an act entitled 'an act in regard to practice in courts of record,' approved February 22, 1872.” Which was referred to the committee on judiciary. Mr. Gordon (by consent) introduced House bill, No. 328, for "An act making an appropriation for the construction of buildings for the Institution for the Education of Feeble-minded Children." Which was referred to the committee on state institutions. Mr. Mann (by consent) introduced House bill, No. 329, for "An act to authorize the formation of associations for the improvement of the water power of Fox river, and other rivers and streams in this State." Which was referred to the committee on corporations. Mr. Mann (by consent) introduced House bill, No. 330, for "An act making appropriations for the erection of the south wing of the Northern Illinois Hospital and Asylum for the Insane, at Elgin." Which was referred to the committee on state institutions. Mr. Mann (by consent) introduced House bill, No. 331, for "An act granting a right of way to the Chicago and Pacific Railroad Company over lands of the Northern Illinois Hospital and Asylum for the Insane." Which was referred to the committee on public buildings and grounds. Mr. Walker (by consent) introduced House bill, No. 332, for "An act to prohibit special elections in certain cases." Which was referred to the committee on elections. The roll was called for the introduction of bills. Mr. Branson introduced House bill, No. 333, for "An act to make the owners of domestic animals liable for damages in certain cases." Which was referred to the committee on agriculture and horticulture. Mr. Cronkrite introduced House bill, No. 334, for "An act to repeal the twelfth section of an act entitled 'an act for the assessment of property and for the levy and collection of taxes." Which was referred to the committee on agriculture and horticulture. Mr. Ferrier introduced House bill, No. 335, for "An act to promote the science of medicine and surgery in the State of Illinois." Which was referred to the committee on miscellaneous subjects. Mr. Grey introduced House bill, No. 336, for "An act to amend section 2 of an act entitled 'an act in regard to practice in courts of record,' approved February 22, 1872." Which was referred to the committee on judiciary. Mr. Halpin introduced House bill, No. 337, for "An act to amend 'an act to fix the salaries of State officers, of the judges of the circuit |