Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1845-12-26

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statute law on the subject. Without com.
hitting himself for this bill, he must say no
was in favor of some law of the kind.
Mr.. Finn objected to the principle of the
bill. 1t was making cities AMI towns inSU-
rers against calamitios of the kind referred TO.
With equally as much propricty, should we
make them insurers against fire and the, light
ming. Ii inflicted punishment upon the in
nocent, for evils which they could not pre-
vent. 1t was an invitation to men to provoke
popular violence. He would 20 as CE as the
farthest in strengthening the police, but ho
was opposed to the adoption of laws recog-
nizing this principle.
MIR. Irwin took opposite grounds from the
gentleman last up.
This bill made all citizens Ct towns and
cities directly Interested in the preservation
of order. 1t appealed to their interest to lend
efficient aid to the authorities in suppressing
disturbances and riots. Since a similar law
was passed in Maryland, we have heard Of
no disturbances and riots in Baltimore. The
effect had been most s~nlutary.
Mr.. Finn moved to amend by making
towns and cities responsible for damages by
fire, earthquake and whiTlwlnd-lost.
Mr.. Finn said the Legislature had no pow
or to pass such a law. 1t was iniquitous leg
~islation which caused the outbursts of popu-
lar violence, in nine cases out of ten. The
riots in Cincinnati, induced by the corrupt
practices of banks, had a better effect in reg
ulating the currency, than all the legislation
on that subject. The remedy for these out
breaks was to correct our corrupt legislation.
Mr.. Johnson did not know but he should
move to amend the bill, by excluding Gin
cinnati from its operation. He was also in
clined to introduce a bill, to repeal all laws
so far as they relate to that city. This thing
of being restrained by law was ''unconstitu-
~tional' clearly, besides being unpleasant. The
gentleman thought this bill would tax the
innocent. On the same principle the ex-
pense Of the establishment Of jails and the
support of the police and criminal courts, was
taxing, or as the gentleman would say, ''pun-
ishing" the innocent.
MIR. OLDs moved TO amend by excepting
Banks AMI Banking institutions from the
protection of tho law-lost.
MIR. Mason thought the bill sufficiently
guarded. The principle upon which it was
founded was that of prevention. II the bill
passed he believed mobs would not be fire.
quent in our history.
Mr.. OLDs moved to amend the bill by
applying its provisions to organized town
ships.
Mr.. DRAKE said the principle involved
was not that Of insurance. We proceeded
an the principle that the citizens Of cities
and towns could prevent the destruction of
property by mobs. This was a new move
in our legislation, and we should apply the
laws to the great evil first. If it operated
well we might extend it. He went still
further. He would strike out that portion
which made the recovery Of damages de-
pend upon the conduct Of tho persons az
gricved. We should not set Up the mob to
Judge whether the conduct of individuals was
proper or improper. On the same principle
the p~opulaco might punish tho horse thief
and hang the murderer.
Mr.. REEMELIN contended that the principle
recognized in this bill, would require us to
remunerate all sufferers from crime of every
description.
[Mr. DRAKE remarked that tho principle
should DO recognized, if the gentleman could
suppose a case in which the public could
prevent the erime.]
Mr.. r. continued. He thought the law
might have the effect of calling out citizens,
when they suspected the rising Of a mob,
in order 10 prevent it, but it would be impos.
slble 10 collect damages, under tho loose pro-
vision of the law.
: Several other members spoke on tho sub
ject.
Mr.. Finn moved to amend by excepting
= Cincinnati-lost.
G Mr.. GALLAGHER moved to amend so as T.
D provide, that if any person be killed during
riot, the Mayor and Common Council shall
: be hanged-lost.
On motion of Mr.. MouLToN the committee
$ rose, and the bill was referred to the commit
tee on the Judiciary, with instructions (pro
d; posed by Mr.. Remelln) TO inquire into the eX
] pedlency of providing that no Court of tn,
State shall entertain any suit against any cit
3 &C., unless it shall be proven that the owne
of the property destroyed, had used all dill
n gence in obtaining legal redress Of the pei
sons composing the riot.
December l7M.-Petitions were presente
in she SENATE, asking for a law for the pre-
motion of Agriculture, in which subject tn
people appear TO be much interested if W
may judge by the number of petitions the
n send to the Senate and House; included in tn
same petition was a request that a State Boar
Of Agriculture be established, and the forma
ton of County Societies encouraged.
One asking for the passage Of a law to nor
y elfectually protect religious societies from di'
1t turbance was read and referred, and the usl
al number and varieties Of petitions whic
we have heretofore noted were presented an
1t referred, after which came the usual uninte
he esting reports from Standing and Select Con
IN mittees. A motion was made and lost, tn
n the Senate adjourn for the purpose Of ALLOW
III ing its members to attend the Temperan,
. Convention.
IT, Ia the House, Bills of incorporation for
OF Chapel, and an Insurance company we
al passed, then followed the usual deluge
lie petitions to tax dogs, build new counties, T
Nv nal ,ho nl,oly I atus ronulata fha IIrAu