OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE TWENTY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, AT THE ADJOURNED REGULAR SESSION, BEGUN AND HELD AT NOVEMBER 15, 1871. SPRINGFIELD: ILLINOIS JOURNAL PRINTING OFFICE. 1872. JOURNAL OF THE HOUSE. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1871. I'ursuant to previous orders by the General Assembly, the House of Representatives resumed its session in the city of Springfield, at the State House, Wednesday, November 15, 1871, at 12 o'clock M. Prayer by Rev. Mr. Carnahan. The Clerk proceeded to read the journal of Monday, April 17, 1871, when Mr. Root moved that the further reading of the same be dispensed with; which motion was not agreed to. The reading of the journal was then concluded. Mr. Springer presented the credentials of Mr. B. F. Kagay, Representative elect from the twenty-ninth district. Mr. Watkins presented the credentials of Mr. L. H. Kerrick, Representative elect from the sixty-third district. Mr. Dwight presented the credentials of Mr. W. A. Lemma, Representative elect from the sixth district. Mr. Hundley presented the credentials of Mr. Benj. Dornblazer, Representative elect from the thirty-fifth district. The Representatives elect, whose credentials had been presented, then appeared and took the oath required by the constitution, which was administered by Judge McClernand. On motion of Mr. Armstrong, A committee of five was authorized to be appointed by the Speaker to wait upon the Governor, and inform him that the House had resumed its regular session, and were ready to receive any communication he desired to make. The Speaker appointed as such committee: Messrs. Armstrong, Root, Haines, Dwight, and Smith of Ogle. By leave, Mr. Roberts submitted the following resolution: Resolved, That the Clerk forthwith put the names of the members in a box, and after thoroughly shaking the same, proceed to draw therefrom; and as the name of a member shall be drawn, such member shall then select his seat; which drawing shall continue until all the names shall be drawn therefrom. Mr. Haines offered the following as a substitute for the resolution submitted by Mr. Roberts: Resolved, That the desks in this hall be removed, and that a suitable number of chairs be provided for members, and that suitable conveniences for writing be provided for members. On motion of Mr. King of Cook, The substitute proposed by Mr. Haines was laid on the table. Mr. Springer moved to amend the resolution, so as to permit members to choose seats for absent members in cases where members had been authorized to do so by such absent members. Mr. Phelps moved to lay the motion of Mr. Springer upon the table; which was not agreed to. Mr. North then moved to amend the amendment, so as to include in the privilege to absent members of having seats chosen for them, only such members as were absent by reason of sickness, or on the business of this House. Mr. Haines moved to refer the whole subject to the committee on rules. Mr. Merritt moved the previous question. And the question being, "Shall the main question be now put ?" it was decided in the affirmative. The question recurring upon the motion of Mr. Haines, it was not agreed to. The question then recurring upon the motion of Mr. North, it was not agreed to. The question then recurring upon the motion of Mr. Springer, it was agreed to, and the amendment was so adopted. The question then recurring upon the adoption of the resolution as amended, it was agreed to. The Clerk then proceeded, in accordance with the resolution, to draw the names of members, and seats were chosen accordingly. On motion of Mr. Armstrong, At 1:25 P. M. the House adjourned until 3 o'clock P. M. THREE O'CLOCK P. M. House met, pursuant to adjournment. A message from the Governor, by E. B. Harlan, Private Secretary. Mr. President: I am directed by the Governor to lay before the House of Representatives a special message. The documents referred to will be presented to the House as soon as they can be printed. EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, SPRINGFIELD, ILL., November 15, 1871. Gentlemen of the Senate and House of Representatives : It affords grounds for sincere congratulation that the Twentyseventh General Assembly, on meeting the fourth time for the transaction of legislative business, finds the country quiet, and that no question will be likely to distract the attention of the representatives of the people from the great duty of revising and improving the laws. Ordinarily I would not feel it to be my duty to transmit to that de partment a formal message, upon the mere resumption of business, after an adjournment by its own action for its own convenience; but there are certain special matters that it is my duty to present to the General Assembly, and others that have arisen since the special session of the 13th of October, 1871. I have to lay before the General Assembly the report of the Trustees appointed to complete the Southern Illinois Normal University building, at Carbondale, and the Insane Hospital structure, at Anna. These reports have been examined carefully by the Board of Public Charities, and also the estimates of the Trustees carefully revised by that intelligent and indefatigable Board. It is my duty to inform the General Assembly that I have received from the Trustees one hundred thousand dollars of the bonds of the city of Carbondale, surrendered by the administrators of James M. Campbell, deceased, under the provisions of the act of April 15, 1871. These bonds are deposited with the State Treasurer, and are the legal property of the State. I have to suggest that some legislation will be necessary to authorize their cancellation, or surrender to the city authorities. I have not supposed it to be probable that the General Assembly would require the city of Carbondale to pay the whole or any part of these bonds. They were given in accordance with the mischievous policy of offering the location of the State Institutions to the highest bidder, whereby cities and towns, excited by rivalries and pleased with anticipated and fanciful advantages, are tempted to burden themselves enormously, to discharge duties that properly devolve upon the whole State. Carbondale is a small city of, perhaps, twentyfive hundred inhabitants, and is indebted largely otherwise on account of the effort to secure the location of the University, and cannot, without great embarrassment, pay the whole or any part of the amount of these bonds. It is due to the people of the city to say that the majority of them are earnestly exerting themselves to meet their engagements, but at the same time eagerly desire relief. The report of the Board of Public Charities is also submitted herewith, and I feel no hesitation in commending it to the General Assembly. I submit to the General Assembly certain papers forwarded to me by the authorities of the United States, in relation to the cession of the jurisdiction of the State over certain cemeteries that contain the remains of soldiers of the late war. These patriotic men were, at the time of their death, engaged in the service of the Republic, and it is eminently proper that their honored remains should be committed to the nation's care. A brief act will be sufficient to transfer the care of the soil in which they repose to the jurisdiction of the government of the United States. I also submit a communication from the Secretary of the Treasury, requesting the passage of a law by which the United States, by proceedings in the State courts, can condemn and appropriate lands required for public buildings. Such a law would, in my judgment, be |