New-York daily tribune., 1845-12-27
Our Legislature.

Our Legislature.
The new Legislature OF this Stale VIII assemote
at Albany on Tuesday, Jan 6th-we inter Tor snor'
Session. The fact that the People have sanctioned
the call of State Convention, 10 assemble al the
same place on the lst OF June next, VIII dououess
preclude legislation Constitutional Amend inens
and some other tinedevouring topics "hiie lhe oe
cided attitude of hostility 10 any iar'he' prosecution
OF our Internal improvements assumed by inc com
inan, par,v renders migratory all attempts to esis-
late on that subject We are justified, therefore, IN
anticipating an early adjournment
Ana We, there are several topics OF grave and par
amoun, in,eres, which we wonld gladly sec pre-
ssoted by Gov. Wright in his Message. and which
we hope will at all events command the attention OF
the Legislature.
First among these is the New Excise Law, CIV
ing 20 the Legal Voters Of each Township or City
the right to determine at stated election whether
intoxicating Liquors shall shallnot be sold within
such Town or City. This is precisely right, emi-
nently republican, and we trust will be sustained
and perfected The exclusion o. our City from the
purview Of this law does fragrant and reprehensibe
violence 10 the first principles OF legislation. and we
trus, the Governor will recommend and the Leglsla
ture pass aa act abol;shng in three lines this unjust
anomaly, and making the New Excise La" opera
tive over the whole area OF our State.
Next In importance TO this is the passage oi an
act declaring Seduction and Adultery crimes against
the peace and happiness OF the community, anu
punisbipg them accordingly. There can haruiy DC
need of argument in favor of the justice OF such
change In our criminal laws That the deliberate
seducer Is a villain and his crime infinitely more
Injurious to Society and his victim than that OF the
thief or the forger all undepraved nteligences in
stinctively recognize That the adul;erer IS guilty
OF wan,on fearful perjury, to the prejudice OF the
public morals OF the freedom and sanctity o Social
intercourse and OF the rights and feelings OF his
family, is most palpabe. That these acts ought TO
be punished so long as any offences against pubic
safety or private right are visited with legal penal
ties, cannot well be disputed. Whether all Licen-
,iousness or mere immortality ought SO TO be visited
ia another question. Wherever the State assumes
TO sanction and psotect Marriage it is in duty bound
to punish violations Of its primary obligation yet our
State toleraies thousands Of profigate villains in
devoting their lives mainly 10 Seduction and kindred
crimes while the destitute, fhmshed wretch who
steals to satisfy his hunger is branded feon and
sentenced years of hard labor and harder fare
in penitentary or prison. This must not, ri least
II should not, continue. Either punish both of these
criminals or neither but at all events let longer
allow impunity to him and him only whose offence
il mos, fiugrant and least excusabe.
We trust Capital Punishment will not escape
the attention of this Legislature 1t is topic which
has been shufled of, and slurred over too long for
the public good. Tho frequent nor. convictions OF
great criminals the enormous eXpeDsiyeness OF cap
al trials which often require repetition show that
the machinery Of Criminal Justice is sadly out of
gear Let it be overhauled and reddiusted. At
least let us have direct Popular Vote on the ques
,ion of retaining or sbolishing the Punishment of
Death If i, is sustained by the public voice, we
think those who oppose should waive all personal
objections and unite in giving thorough effect 10 the
law as stands until time and the progress of intel
lgence and humane ideas shall fairly enti,le them TO
demand a review of the popular verdict But that
something should speedily be done 10 amend either
the Penalty the strong adherence with which it is
regarded by thousands of intelligent conscientious
citizens would seem beyond controversy.
"A General Law of Incorporation or of defined
and Limited Liability, is greatly needed-who has
the ability to draw and perfect one' A general
law which should prescribe the terms on which in
dividuals may associate themselves in the prosecu
tion of any laudable enterprise fairly advertising
the public of the terms Of their association and the
liabilities assumed by each member, leaving the
community at perfect liberty give them credit or
refuse it-such is the outline OF law greatly need
ed and which could not fail TO be immensely benei-
cial Thousands after thousands are annually spent
In journeys TO Albany, &c. &c. TO procure charters
where none but general powers arc wanted, and no
special legislation is necessary or would be asked
for If we had proper General Law Of Incorpora.
tion Moneyed Corporations are already founded
on and governed bya General Banking Law which
is found to answer very well, though experience
may suggest some improvements. For Works OF
Internal Improvement, where private property Is
required to be taken a, an impartial valuation spe
cal acts would still be necessary; but the absurd
drudsery Of passing bill after bill TO incorporate this
or that petty company, ought 10 be brought TO an
end. Why not do it at oncel
The odious foolish, vcxatous plundering, de-
morazing Militia nuisancc-is it worth while TO say
any thing moro than Down with it! AS that is all
that is to be done we shall be content with SO much
for the present. Lee, all the People say Amen, and
say it 30 as to be heard at Albany.
There is abundant room and necessity for Judi
DIAL and Legal Reform but let these be left to the
Convention. Should that fail TO satisfy the public ex
pecta,on and desire, the next Legislature may pro-
perly take hold of the matter.
NEw.HAMrsHIRE OTFlcIAL.-The following is
the official vote of the las, unsuccessful attempt 10
elec, member of Congress in Loco Foco ridden
New.Hampshire, compared with the Sept, trial:
Norember. September.
Wool. GoOdn Hale Scat w q. H Scat.