The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1829-01-28

lectS, Dut cOntenQed tnaL thOSc WIN were HOW
attempting to procure revision OF our statutes
and laws, so as to abolish the punishment OF
death, were true and genuine philantErapists.
With regard to any apprehension which might
be entertained by gentlemen, as TO Innovations
on the laws he was not one, who adhered to
the maxim, that "the trodden path is the safe
path" He was free to avow, that he is one OF
those, who consider capital punishment in any
case, alike unnecessary, unjust and cruel.
Mr.. Gushing of Newburyport, conceded with
his friend from S,ockbridse, in the justice OF
his remarks. If the Committee ON the Judicia.
~ believed that it was proper to abolish capital
punishment, it was their duty so to have re-
ported, Notwithstanding they might consider
majority of this House unfavorable to the
measure. 1t is not numbers, iii any case, that
can constitute right or wrong. They should
have laid the subject before the House in all
its bearings, and thus placed an entering wedge,
as he might call it; and the Legislature at
every session would have their attention called
TO il. He insiancod the slave trade; for more
than century some benevolent persons had
constantly been making efforts to procure lis
adjustment, by the Parliament of Great Brit
ain years passed on, and every attempt failed !;
but at last humanity triumph.d and those Wis
ionaries reformers, false Philanthropsts, as they
had been termed, saw their efforts crowned
tries, men who lived in advance Of their age,
who stood out in bold relief from their fellow
citizens, men who came forward with any great
project either for the instruction or ameliora-
ton of mankind, were too apt to he stigmatised
rs zealots, innovators, pseudo philanthropiSts
but they carried a consciousness of their own
worth, which parried all the assaults of envy or
Ignorance. He contendcd, that because the
latter career of Rohespierre had been sullied
with human blood, that was no reason why the
doctrine which he published in his book against
capital punishment, was not correct. The
principles of this man, were good but placed
at the summit of human power, lie had not
withstood temptation, and had become mon
ster of cruelty.
; Mr.. Emmons of EIinsdale, stted, that his
wish was to live under government that should
pay aoeu and hang nell.
The Report Of the Committee was committed
to the Committee on the subjec of appointing
Commissioners to report revision of the Grim
inal code.
THURSDAY, Jan. %.
SENATE. On motion of Dir. Kevcs, Or
d'reG, That~the Committee on Mercantile AZ
fairs and Insurance be instituted to inquire
INTO the eXpediency of providing that members
Of Mutual Fire Insurance Companies may be
witnesses in suits against such Companies.
part, of Major General of the third Division
of the Militia. Brigadier General Micah NJ
Rutter had 80 votes, and was chssen.
HOUSE. An order of the Senate, directing
the Committee who have under consideration
the petitions of Rufus Davenport, to consider
the expectancy of making provision that debt-
ors, arrested upon execution, may be liberated
oy the officer arresting them upon their giving
bonds, with sufficient surety for their appear
ance before the County Commissioners, at
their next stated term of session, md in such
cases, of giving 10 the County Commissioners
the power of taking the examination Of such
debtors, and of administering the pool debtor s
oath. Also, instrucIng the same Committee
to consider the expediency of making provis
ion, that in all cases where the debtor has
given bond as aforesaid, he may cause notice
to be given to any or all his creditors, of his
intention to apply for the benefit of the poor
debtors oath; and in case he shall be admitted
to said oath, that the debtors, upon any suit
which shall be brought by any such creditors
may give evidence of such notice, and of his
admission to the oath in which case ex ooufior
shall not Issue against the body of such debtor
but against his goods and estate only. Game
down for concurrence. Concurred.
Mr.. Wheeler, from the Committee on Agri
culture, who were directed to consider the ex
the use of broad trimmed wheels, made Re
port, declaring that it is inexpedent to legis
I late thereon
Aig. Newton of Worcester presented a Me
mortal of the Worcester County Agriculture
Society, praying a renewal of the grants tc
Agricultural Societies; committed to the Com
mit,ee on Agriculture.
Friday, Jan. %.
SENATE. The Rev. Wilbur Fiske wa.
chosen to preach the next Election Sermon.
Mr.. Strong, from the Committee on bills in
The second reading, reported bill entitled
" an act restraining Banks from taking exces
s.ve interest and for other purposes which
was read.
HOUSE Petitions presented OF Alonzo
Lewis and l2S others, inhabitants of Lynn
praying an amelioration of the laws relating 10
imprisonment for debt. OF Henry w. Dwight
and Others, praying a continuance of the boun-
ty to Agricultural Societies.
Mr.. Davis of Boston, from the Committee to
whom was referred SO much of the Governors
Message as relates to the claim Of this State
on the general government, made a repor,
thereon, accompanied with resolutions, which
were taken up, aud recommtted to the same
Committee, to be joined on the part of the
Senate. In Senate, Messrs Sprague from Els.
sex, Lathrop. from Hampden, Welsh and Lin
coin, were joined.
Brigadier General Micah NJ. Ruttcr was
chosen Major General of the third Division in
concurrence with the Senate.
The resolutions reported by the Committee
on the subject Of amending the Constitution.
were taken up for consideration. Several gen.
men spoke on opposite sides. An amendment.
that was offered proposing an alternate repre-
sentation by towns instead Of district repre.
sentation, was negatiyed without division.
The debate on the general question was resum.
ed, and before it terminated the House adj.
Jonrnod In the course of the debate. il was
stated that the proposed amendments, if adont.
cd would make an annual saving in the ex.
penses of the Commonwealth Of $4,000.
SATURDAY, Jan. "a
SENATE. On motion of Mr.. La,hron from
Bristol, Ordered, That the Committee On The
Judiciary be instructed to inauire vbctho- 4,