The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-02-13

went mumeo - eloaks and overcoats, and blut
lips and red noses were very prevalent. To-day
again. the tables turned the ice is disappearing
the air 10 genial and mild, and evercoats and sucl
gear are at = discount.
In the Assembly, to-day, Mr.. DAvEsAc presented
a series ofresolutons, adopted by public meeting
at Batavia Genesee county, in relation Ito the pa
triot prisoners at Van Deman's Land. Dir. d
entered into q long review of the interference oil
England in the affairs of other natens and chaleng
ed an instance in which her subjects, when thus
taken prisoners. were treated a. pirates. He
moved the reference of the petition to select com.
mittee.
Mr. TANBLIN said, this was most delicate sub
ject, and should be referred to q committee who
would be like to understand the whole matter, and
he therefore msved its reference to the judiciary
committee. These patriots will find a strenuous
and ardent advocate in Major Davesae.
Mr. TowNsEHD presented two petitions from
New York, one praying for repeal Of the usury
laws, and the other IN relation to the Leake aad
Watts Orphan Asylum.
Mr.. HATHAWAY presented petition from " Joe
Sykes" praying for the speedy completion Of the
New York and Erie Rail Road. This Jee,"
believe, is somewhat as = correspondent Of the
New York CONNIE rcial Advertiser.
The House went into committee Of the whole
Mr.. Townsend's bill in relation to the rates of in
terest on money.
( Mr.. TowssEsD went into an explanation of his
bill. He maintained that this bill should not be
opposed on account Of its being an innovation-all
improvements had been originally viewed in \ 81.
milar light. Mr. Townsend then en.ered into
review Of the history Of money lenders, and usury,
from the earliest period which he had been able to
trace legislation on the subject, back 20 the 18th
century, showing the various shapes and grxdations
the system had assumed In abiding to the cha.
racer Of the petitioners ON this subject, that they
were mostly merchants, end business men, but that
the people Of the city were almost universally in
favor oft and, that, out Of the whele of his large
circle of private acquaintance, he had found but
one individual, and that broker of the smallest
kind in Wall street, who was opposed to the pro-
posed modification of the usury laws, and he did
not dare argue the question with him (Mr. To-
Mr. T. entered into a long argument to sustain the
position he has assumed that the rates of interest
should BE- governed only BY the laws Of trade.
session, and agreesbly surprised his friends.
Mr.. LELAND opposed the bill on the ground that
by freeing the lenders Of money from all restric-
tons. it would be placing the people completely at
man Of business could afford &c pay more than per
cent. interest on borrowed money, and the lender
would be amply rewarded at this rate. Mr.. Le-
land argued, that to guard and protect the people
from extortion, it was essentially necessary that
some legal restrictions should be adopted.
Mr.. SIMMONS made long and very able defence
OF the bill.
Mr.. LOOMS rejoined in opposition at length.
Dugald Stewart. 70 Jeremy Bentham, and back
again, involving almost the whole science of poll
tical economy. The debate was continued until
near two o'clock, when the committee rose and
reported, without taking question on pending mo-
ton to strike out the enacling clause After which
the House adjourned.
In the Senate, to-day, Mr.. FuRNAx introduced q
bill, providing for tho raising Of meney to prose-
raised twas S., 100000. A long debate was drawn
out on the Reputation resolutions but il amounted
to-taK! This was all of general interest that
transpired in the Senate. A number Of local and
private bills were acted on.
ExPresident Van Buren, arrived in town yester-
day To-day he visited the Assembly chamber. &C.
companed by his son. John Van Buren,. Esq. He
appeared to be enjoying good health. was in fine
hands with the democracy of the House.
There are great many candidates for the minor
Offices, to be vacated. There are q number seeking
for the post Of State Librarian but the most de-
serving and likely to be successful one, is Mr.
HEKnY e. SourHwIcK, of this city. Mr. South
wick is an active democrat, and in every way qua
lifted Cor the Office. He is also poor man, and bis
appointment would give great satisfaction to the
Mr. FLAGo, it seems, is making sweeping work
in his reform in the Conptroller's department. No
less than five removals Of clerks have been made al
ready. The Evening Journal Of yesterday makes
considerable cutlery account Of the removal of a
Mr.. WILSON IT, as is said, this individual changed
his politics for the purpose of retaining his office
under the whig administration it is no more than
just he should be removed.
The Temperance X eformation is still proc seding.
Something like half dozen reformed drunkards
to lecture this eveneg at the hall Of the Capitol
CAVE ULCIscAR.
FRIDAY, Feb. IL, lsi2.
In the ASSEMBLY to-day, Mr.. R. F. JONES present
ed petition against the repeal Of the law for the ap
pontment of an inspector general Of sole leather.
Mr.. SwAcKHAMMER, presented petition relative
the redemption Of broken safety fund bank notes
Mr. S. remarked, that the petitioners request the ap-
pcation of the safety fund to the redemption Of the
notes of the broken banks. Mr.. s. urged this as a
matter Of justice to the bill holders.
Some half. ezen members had leaves of absence
granted them Tor periods of time varying from six to
twelve days. This has ibeen the case for the last
week, and, unless some measures are taken, the
House will soon be without quorum for the trans.
action of business.
Mr.. HorrMAx called the attention of the House to
this fact to-day, and the adoption of Mr. Swackham.
er's proposition must be matter Of necessity
The House went into Committee Of the Whole,
on Mr. Townsend's bill in relation to the Rates OF
Interest This is Mr.. rs hobby, both at this and
the last session.
Mr.. STRONG, OF wayne, tnougnt tne laws against
usuary were too strong. Every legal gentleman
knows the difficulty OF getting jurles to convict
man under the law on account Of the penalty. The
law was, therefore, but dead letter, and he con-
sdered it scandal and disgrace to suffer 1t to re-
main on the Statute book. The remedy against
usury, was to make the penalty less severe, but the
visitation more certain The punishment was so
severe that convictions almost impossible es-
pecaIly in some quarters where it was looked upon
as venal crime. As 10 the bill in question, he did
not think il furnished the remedy-it went to the
other extreme, ard made the penalty as much too
Ioht as the present laws too severe He thought,
however, that it might be amended SO as to effect
the object.
Mr.. LooMrs conceded with the views OF the gen.
teman from Wayne, in his opinion that all that was
necessary was to enforce the laws against usury,
which the penalties Of the present law rendered i'm
possible He hoped bill that would carry out these
views would be shaped and brought up for the re-
consideration of the House. !.