The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-08-06

ihE STABBlNG CASE. W sterday an investigation
was made by Mr. Justice Matse into the particular
circumstances attending the stabbing case, which
occurred In Broadway a few evenings since, In the
course OF which the girl, Emma Richardson, while
admitting that she used the knife, and with the effect
already described, protested that 1t was done In
self-defence. The case is indeed one which calls
for particular notice of the constituted authorities.
Emma Richardson describes herself as % years OF
age, and as residing at No. liz Centre street, but
employed as a cap maker in Water street. On the
night OF this occurrence, she returning 10 her
home under the protection of the man Wallace
who is printer, and native of Virginia and as
they passed along Broadway, they were assailed by
De Wit Clinton Baker, and some other persons, who
are described to us as all loafers. by whom Wallace
was Knocked down. They then turned towards her,
and to protect herself from the fate of Wallace, she
struck Baker with knife which she uses in her bust
ness to cut paste board but without any intention TO
deprive him OF life. Now the questions presents them
selves whether assassination is 10 stalk abroad
through our public thoroughfares, and next whether
lawless vagabonds are to be permitted to commit
such acts require for the purposes of sedelence
the use OF deadly weapons Insult and outrage are
OF common occurrence even in Broadway, and our
citizens have no protection but in their own rlsht
arms. Our police system is a mockery-our watch
establishment worthless for all the purposes OF pro-
tecton-females cannot traverse our highways even
in The care of their natural protectors without sub
hitting TO unmanly insult, or being compelled to
listen to language which shocks the ear of me-
desty. What, then, is to be the result Shall
we return TO such state of society as that in
which each one avenges his own wrongs, and ex.
torts becoming and respectful treatment for his
own person In such case the weak must call on
the aid of brethren and friends, and endless and
bloody will be the euds that will ensue But to this
state of things are rapidly approaching, unless
some device, morewise than any yet resoned to- can
save us from such an alternative. the city autho-
rites have much TO answer for, and we trust their
constituents will hold them to a rigidaccountablity
Wallace and the girl are detained in custody until
the fate of Baker is known as his situation is said
to be very critical.
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IHE CoNSTITUrIONALITY OF THE BANKRUPT LAW
lin the U 8. District Court of the State of Mis-.
souri,, the Bankrupt law of the last Congress has
been decided to be unconstitutional, as we have
stated in another part of the Herald. That opinion
has also been expressed by other judicial function
aries, and now we learn that the Judges of the Su.
preme Court OF this State have come to the same
No''N'"''oA' A. "'nei III on hioohy paper sdys'-
During the special term of the Supreme Court
now sitting, Judge Bronson presiding, a question
arising under the recent Bankrupt Law OF the u.
S. came up for consideration, and during the argu-
ment, the learned Judge understood to say that
the question as to the constitutionaity of that law
had been raised IN that court and was then un-
der Amusement His own opinion was, that the
voluntary part of the law was clearly unconstitu.
tional and void, but how the question would uti-
matey be decided by the whole court, he would
not undertake TO say. 1t is said, however, among
the members OF the bar that another of the judges
entertains the same opinion. If this be SO, we may
soon expect decision of that conrt against the
validity of the law, or at least of that part of il
which allows discharges upon the application of the
nsolvent himself. The subject is doubtless of in
terest enough to justify some early notice of this
intimaton.
If the Judges thus decide, the late Bankrupt law
will turn out to have been great calamity to the
country