The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-02-12

perceive that under the extraordinary moran III
pulse of an excited community, the Legislature al
ALBANY is beginning to move IN the matter Oh COZ
rec,ur the law ON one of the most important sub
iects connected with the public morals. The recent
extraordinary case of Amelia Norman, together
with the equally extraordinary and melancholy
developnents of the atroclous conduct of clergy
man of the name Of Judd, who has absconded,
and in particular manner the Indictment against
a person named John Jones, button-maker, at 26
Plat street, for the crime Of seduction and
procuring abortion, have excited the community
to such degree that we have no doubt something
will now be done by the Legislature. We have
also 10 refer to most melancholy case OF death,
reported In this days Police, Of young girl, who,
to hide her shame on Saturday evening last, fell
victim to the attempt--and also to another case IN
Cortlandt street-all equally affecting and melar-
choly.
This first step has, indeed, been taken, as our
readers will perceive from the following extract
from the proceedings OF the Legislature
Mr. ALLEN from the Judiciary COMMITTEES. to which
were referred the petitions for the punishment
Of seduction and adultery, reported bill to Prevent
The bill was accompanied by report in writing, five
times the usual number Of which were moved by Mr..
ulsunp. The bill is substantially the bill OF last year.
aud ncs penalties OF fine and imprisonment LOT the
offences named in the petitions.
The report was read when
Mr. PALnss moved the printing Of ten times 'h "cmsat
that would not perhaps find its way generally INTO the
newspapers Of the day and was very desirable that
mould have general circulation. .
Mr. HUSrIN0ros accorded in opinion with the gentle
man last up, that the community would be emnently
that Il il was to have such circulation must be mainly
through the official publications ordered by the house
There was morbid sensbility the part OF the CON-
uuitv sort @ mOdeSY-that
upon the press as to keep every thing OF TINS sort OUT
the papers There was perhaps deeper cause ior TINS
which he need not remark upon. 1t was enough 70
know that the document would not find its way into the
papers induce the house to make an exception to its
this case lie seconded the motion for ten times.
Mr.. HuLBuRD asscntsd to that modification OF his mo
ton, and
On this subject we also find that the Albany dr-
gus has the following remarks =
PUBLIC OPINION UPON Moral REroRM.-We perceive
that the late case Amelia Norman and Henry s. Ballard
exciting the attention Of the press in all sections OF ns
perfectly right in stabbng one who had wrecked and
abandoned her They take this position upon that ma
tura bias Of the heart that as the law furnishes no pro-
protect themselves
Il Is certainly too true that the laxity OF the present
law light upon the punishment of this truly henons
crime that when the victim her friends Gas III the
case Of Singleton Mercer take vengeance into their own
hands. Public Opinion has become so thoroughly con
WINGED of the state prison atrocy Of the original offence
that no Jury seems willing 10 convict for manifest
violations Of existing laws This is certainly no desirable
things But the time does not this evnce
ed by law Of the land? That deliberate seduction is
not be punished as all other ielona crimes are
The public mind is now fully awake not only to It's
atros;y but above all to its Of sooieyv
it is declared to be crime is not to crafty individual
vengeance but to protect the interests OF the whole poo
pie which Is the only ground which sanctions the pre-
sent punishment ofthe crimes ofmurder and arson.
II will be perceived from the legislative proceedings
that yesterday in the Assembly Mr. Allen Chairman %.
ducon and adultery crimes and punishable as SUCH ana
times the usual number Of copies report and
an opportunity act upon ths subject and subserve
the interests and well.being Of society
There cannot be any difference of opinion on this
most important subject. The necessity of some e-
gislative action is undeniable, AS the law
at present stands, it is only when the CRIME
Of infantIcide is added to seduction, that the
law can reach the villain who preys upon
defenceless female innocence. Let all the friends
of morality and Justice now exert themselves to pro-
cure the so much needed enactment, which will de-
liver up to Justice those wretches, who, by their
heartless systematic, cold-booded violation of the
young, thoughtless, and unprotected female, are
spreading ruin and infamy all around.
REMOVAL OF THE KEEPER OF SING SING STATE
PRIsoN.-Elam Lyndcs, the late keeper of the
State Prison at Sing Sing, was removed by the In
spectors on Friday last, for violation of duty and
numerous other charges that had been preferred
against him. Hiram Rowel, recently appointed
clerk of the prison by the Governor, was selected
as keeper for the present until choice can be made
that will be satisfactory. An attempt is making to
abolish the office of keeper, and bestow the power
of appointment of deputies upon the agent as was
formerly the case. 1t is - be hoped that the egis
lature will not sanction such proceeding, as 1t Is
subject to great objections. The matrOn sf the e-
male department, who is a sister of The present
agent has resigned her place, and it is rumored that
the agent will also resign his situation. All these
appointments by the Inspectors, were injudiclous,
and the result has proved the correctness OF our
opinions expressed at the time they were originally
made.
LATE FROM ARGENrINE.-By the Serene arrived
last night, we have received advices from Buenos
Ayres to the LIST of December
Montevideo was still besicged and blockaded,
and it was thought that it could not hold out much
longer.
AT BuenosAyres all was quiet. Hides were at "a
to Is ID. cost on board, ii cents Id. Lighter weight,
was difficult to be got, and cost IL TO "a per cent
more. Wool was scarce, and at high rates. Nut
ton has risen 100 per cent since last year, and but
few in Market as the killing of them is prohibited
during the war.
We continue to hear Of atrocities committed by
the brute, Rosas.
ITALIAN OpERA.-The last representation Of
Puritani takes place tonight, and doubtless, from
what we have seen, the opera house will be greatly
crowded In fact, the excitement in favor of ope-
ratio entertainment seems to be only beginning
We understand that the houses have been gradually
increasing. The first three nights averaged 5000;
but the fourth night brought llOO, to the astonish
ment of every body. And although Palmo has
made rather bad bargain for himself with the
vocasts who, as usual get the lions share, yet il
is thus seen that he is doing very we'll Besides
their engagement only lasts twenty-four represen-
...:oo, ord o{ter fbat both ma rtiea NAV make n