Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1846-01-07
INDIANAroLIs, Jan. 3rJ, 1916.

INpGANAroLIs, jan srJ. 1916.
The House OF Rcpres natives. this ming, passed the
bill abo<hng capital punishment, amended form
leaving 1t discretionary with the jury TO make the penal
y Imprisonment the State prison for ife. or hanging.
1t passed by large majority, and think II Will I'M
doubteGly pass the Senate. 1t would have endangered
the passage OF the bill to have persisted opposing the
endmen and it deemed best take it with the
provision attached it. This a least step the
Of abosng this relic Of the bararous ages 1t
nroad upon the prnc9ie Of d9ing eou that eo3d
may and will do much expunging oar
statute book, law which authorizes its officers, in the
sight OF heaven extinguis that '.vai spark heaven
Iy lame which 1t has no Promehean reed to rehinde.
The petition time since referred the Senate s
judiciary committee. asking the establishment of city
Court in Cambridge reported back by Mr.. Henry
Switzerland, with the opinion Of the committee that the
granting the prayer Of the petitioners xpedient The
Senate concured almost unanimously in the report Of the
committee To ensure the passage of such law at the
session of the legislature Will be necessary in
troiucc bill, at early day. and fight it through
About thirty bills Of divorce already been passed
the present and believe that three have
been defeated This favorable opportunity for all who
who think themselves, unhapy mated TO dissolve
their matrimonial ties
An apportionment bill has passed the Senate. but
the House has upon it before it becomes law it is
useless speak of its provisions and details at this time
The important subec of this sessions legislature
vet be considered the payment of the debt
The joint whom referred the letter of
Mr.. Butler, reported bill to-day. | unable pres
Ell give abstract of provisions. Its prn-
cipal are. that the shall levy
of each 500 of taxable proper
and pay the bondholders per upon the
principal Of the Bonds the first Of January I1i7
the January $50, when onchalf the
ages Of interest from January >ll e47 half per
from Jan IL 53 shall be added the principal
ana from that time forth the State pay, by taxation
the principal and interest thus added, and half per
cent.
The remaining two ana half per the prnci-
pal from l-4l be paid OF the the Wa
bash and Erie Canal and otherwise chargeabe to
State.
It also provides that tie State shall send agent
ew or for the purpose Of selling bonds, based entire
" upon the lands and OF the Canal,
mount sufficient to complete the Canal the Ohio
If this proposition. with fair and honorable details.
could be carried effect. would be great bargain
for the State Tor my part, have idea that it
can be accomplished. | have never yet doubted the
bity OF Indiana pay debt and this propo
should fail, believe viii have depend up
the she has, and may hereafter acquire
But more Of this in my next letter.
The committee Federal relations. to-day reported
oint resolution meInoraiizlng Congress for grant of
lands complete the National Road through this State
that our Representative in Congress- will in
few days, Introduce bill, providing grant land
.qua a strip five miles in width the entire
myth OF the road IN the and think there is
probability of its passage BY Congress. At least If it
an be carried the Indomtabe energy OF Mr. Smith will
.fectit.
In the early part Of the Session an effort was made IN
he House. by MAJOR " attach portion of Wavue
ouny TO Union The bill the hands OF select
ommit'ce 70 which was referred 1t wllI there de