Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1845-11-06
LAW ITEMS.

Di'seoi eoIntfs Mass, In which Mr.. Webster recently
appeared Tor the plaintiff. case pending for IF een
years, he concluded his remarks b. decar M AT ..f
the eoce OF common sense TO govern Courts
IN their deliberations, they might be looked upon as
nutSaRceS, rather than the exponents of iusiice-
IEis Is truth which are glad to see incucated
oy such high authority ltist time to clear away the
nusiy obsiructons la positive right and prompt Justice
with which absurd legal forms aud antigua ed echni-
calities cucumber and deiorm the law.
ASSESSMENT AND Observation-Disclosures ns-
perS notice case lately decided in Berkshire comfy
IN that State, In which Hendrck Eastlsnd sued the
Assessor Of the town Of Egremont for nsgecting 10
Tar MN, aud had Slo0 damages awarded him by.Yer-
Dict of jury. We do not learn the reason why
Eastland was not taxed, though believe it is cutie
customary in this State for Selecmen every seventh
year, to omit assessing who are taxable for
poll only, IN order to prevent such from gaining
settlement so as TO make them chargeabe 10 the towr
in case of needing relief from the overseers of the
poor Such perhaps might have been the reason for
the neglect of the Assessors of Egremont The prin-
cipes of law contained in the charge Of Judge Will
iamS, who tried Eastlands case, being important 10
all having any thing do with the assessment of tax-
es we copy the following paragraph for the benefit Of
those concerned -
"Judge Williams instructed the Jurv that in the assess
ment OF taxes Assessors liable only Tor The want OF
integrity and fidelity their part-that IT, thev
kear the plaintiff was nhabitant of Egrenont they
were responsible Tor not taxing him, or n they g-
norant of the fact aud did diligence 10 acquire
correct information in regard the plaintiffs residence
they also llable-tha il the duty Of Assessors
TO take reasonable pains ascertain who were and who
taxable in their respective towns-iaI
their duty 10 tax those who properly liable and 10
omit those who were mott and that lect refusal
in either Of those respects violation of integrity and
fidelity.
SLAvERr Is NLw JEnsEr-The Supreme Court Of
New Jersey has in the of the William given
unanimous decision with the exception of the Chief
Justice, IN favor Of sustaining the law of slavery
he Of
MENUS gave a written opinion in effect q follows:
lst. That the relation of and slave existed by
law at the adoption of the Constitution in 1914.
End. That that Constitution has desToyed that re-
Iation abolished slavery.
81. That the cclored man William should be remanded
to the custody of the defendant.
The opinion Of the Judge went TO show that from the
earliest times The institution Of slavery recognized
New Jersey As early l7Os the Legislature declared
by statute that every negro then slave should remain
slave until regularly manumitted according the
prescribed by law, and that Court has from time
protected the claim of the master to the slave
In 1920 the Legislature adopted plan for the gradual
abolition of slavery, in which the relation Of and
slave again recognized and under which slavery has
nearly disappeared the number being reduced according
the late Ga who have according To the act
legal claim their masters for maintenance Of
inability support themselves unless the law is rendered
nugatory by the New Constitution.
! REsPoSsIBILITT OF 4 CHIID.-In recent case tried
in Boston, where boy eleven years WIS charged with
Z
the defence whether he possessed that degree Of
understanding which would render him crminay respon-
shle for his wrongful The Court held that, until
child reaches the age of the presumption Of law is
absolute, that responsible; that 7en
the Of aud fourteen the capacity of the C. ID
is open evidence but the leaning Of the law ranst
its responsibility. The jury after being in consultation
all night IN Court and the foreman stated that there
probability of Being able agree The Jury
stood eleven FIR acquitIing, 10 for convictIng.
Novrr rsr H.pr.s Conn--,
Daniel NowIan was charged with rape by Maria Hannah
both of Bedow's Island. This morning No~lsn was
taken before Judge Daily by Daniel Major Esq on writ
of habecs corpus. On his passage from prison. ru-
ined fair encountered the Irish (e) aper" and
by being pressed by the lady, who professed her love
him. he consented 10 become her husband. The nupiia
knot tied by the Rev. Mr.. Muppistti according TO the
es and ceremonies of the Catholic Church But alas
the happy Benodk conveyed bis dreary cell Instead
of the wedding chamber. AT this important period Coun-
sellor Major into the Court of Sessions with the
marriage certificate and moved tie Court for his immediate
discharge stating the facts fully. The District Attorney
said that the Counsel had succeeded in making Maria
Hannah the wife she could longer be the witness
therefore the could now go farther He had
supposed the ingenuity Of Counsel bad heretofore strained
the of the of haGeas corpus degree
tension-t remained for Counsellor Major to give
extra pull without nfraction Of the law" But" said
this District Attorney, let this happy man 2"
Oh yes replied Mr.. Mpjo my newly acquired client.
the wife, is anxious have his discharge tonight
And amd general laughter Of the Court, in which the
Recorder and the presiding Alderman joined heartily,
! Nowan introduced from the Jaws of the prison
merry marriage Court ever sat apoh successful
suit but poor Nowlan-nolc7s z,oEens-s wore his
bushing honors thick upon his brow and albeit, a
soldier by Compuson il doubtful still whether be does
Mars than Venus, although she has for
Cupid's sake enabled him escape, at least year.
condemnation 10 the State PrsOn.-N Y Herald, Sept.
Is.
e We are told that for two centuries and half,