New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1846-02-18
peunsylvania-Rnilrond Bills-New.York and
Erie-Capital Punishment, &c. &c.
ondencc of The Tribune.
HAaRIspuRGH. Februar,


HAaRIsBuRGH February l6, 1886.
The two Railroad bills closely engage the atten-
,op of the Legislature The friends OF each are
equally determined and the opponents of both IN
irins. The motion TO postpone indefinitely the
baltimore and Ohio Railroad bill failed in the SEN
s.eby the decided vote OF g to 25. This cannot be
reckoned as test OF the strength of the bill In that
BODY, although that was the design with which the
motion was made Mr.. Gibbons OF Philadelphia has
offered an amendment TO the bill, as proviso, that
on the first day Of December, 1876 one halt o! the
csntal stock of the Pennsylvania Central Railroad
Companv shall be subscribed In accordance with any
J nsssed at the present session of the Legislature,
Inc Bill shall no, take effect. bat be null and void
For this Mr.. Bigler has offered substitute, ex-
,ending the time until the Isl of June 134s and re-
ouring the Central Railroad Company 10 have III
teen miles OF their road commencing al Harrls5urgn
and fifteen miles, commencing at Pittsburgh uhuef
contract for construction and five millions OF the
stock subscribed.
These amendments are now pending. Mr.. Chap
man of Bucks has opposed them in lengthy speech
Mr. Gibbons has commenced q speech 10 ld'oi Vi
The one offered by himself Mr.. q. is listened 10
with much interest from his peculiar position win
.gerd 10 the bill A large portion of his constitu'
ency are opposed 10 ii in any shape and have maze
and are still making the desperate efforts TO de-
;eat its passage II is contended by them that the
s-trance of a foreign company into the state IKE
,be Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company, "ou!d
move highly destructive 10 our State interests ruin
onr public works and seriously affect The trade OF
ph;lsdelphia Mr. G. takes an entirely different
aur of the subject He is the warm friend of the
hill with certain restrictions.
The New.York and Erie Railroad bill in the
House is passing through The same ordeal with its
,;.,er in the Senate The New Y ork and Erie Rail
mad Co. ask to construct their road through
mart OF Pike County. grant of RICH; to this effect
will save it the expense of nearly hundred miles
II road and has been asked for a number Of years
nv the citizens of North Eastern Pennsylvania,
If inc highest advantage and importance TO them
contributing as it would do, 10 the development OF
the resources of that wealthy part Of the State. The
h;Il before the House is most steadily opposed by
PHILADELPHIA and the South Eastern Counties gen
eraly on similar grounds TO those urged against the
Baltimore and ONO Dill!
An amendment requiring the New-York Legisa-
Ieture 10 grant the right of connection Of the North
Branch Canal with the Chemung Canal, before the
provisions of the bill shall take effect, has been voted
down as also provision that the Company shall
nav FIVE hundred thousand dollars into the Treasury
oPennsyvania before The bill shall go into opera
ton.
The amendment pending now IS one TO charge
the Company fifty cents per ton on coal carried
eastward on the road, oue-haf cent per ton on all
other tonnage, and twenty-five cents on each pas
senger
The Senate have disposed of the Tariff resolutions
and sent them back to the House; and here is their
disposition: Mr. Gibbons moved 10 strike out the
amendments of the House. and insert resolution
nstruc,ing our delegation in Congress 10 go for the
Distribution of the Proceeds of the Public Lands
This was negativcd-every Wing voting for the
imposition 10 amend. The proposition 10 instruct
10 opposition TO a National Bank sustained
Yeas 49, Nays O. That of instruction to vote against
,Distributon of the Proceeds Of the Pablo Lands
was egotived-Yeas Is, Nays 17-every Wing.
Two LoeoFocos (Messrs. Hickman and Ebaugb,)
md Mr.. Comman, Native. voting Nay. The in
guctions in favor of Sub.Treasury were adopted
BY strict party vote.
Mr. Matthias has reported bill entitled % An act
Dreform the penal laws of this Commonwealth"
which aboIishes Capital Punishment by commute
ion give you the bill at length.
SIC BE IL enacted By The Senate and House of Rfpre
Rn,a.ires Of the Commonwealth Of Pennsylvania Gene
ri Assembly AID IL is hereby enacted by the authority
u< same That from and after the passage of this
al cases Of conviction OF the crime of murder in the
ir degree before any Court OF this State shall and
ny be lawful for the Governor OF this Commonwe alth
pahe recommendation of the Court and Jury, before
shom the shall be tried, TO commute the punish
rent Of death. inflicted by the penal laws Of this
State u that OF imprisonment for life separate and so
ay hard labor in the penentiary OF the proper Dis
rci there to be fed clothed aud otherwise dealt With
and the decision OF the Governor such recommend
alton the Court and Jury shsl be favorable such
commepdatioD the said Court being officially informed
0fueh communication, shall pass sentence and judgment
imprisonment for life aforesaid, against such
rr with like effect in all respects as il said crime were
ty,he existing laws made punishable according to the
terms Of such committed sentence aud judgment
SEc2 That all such convicts whose punishment shall
be hereafter commuted. shall be considered from the
date Of such sentence in all respects naturally dead
nste-and their and effects shall thereupon be
administered to by the proper parties and after the pay
ment debts aereeaby the present interstate laws the
residue OF all such and effects shall be equal
divided, moiety and amongst the heirs and re.
pesenveo Of such convicts agreeaby to said interstate
AVS; aud the other moiety to- and among the widow
;aden, other legal representatives. Hgreeably 10 said
neiiate laws of the party upon whom such homicide
vas SO committed by such convict; and IN default OF
thown heirs kindred legal representatives OF such
50y SO murdered the said moic'y shall cschca to the
Commonwealth
SEC D. That of any existing laws of this Com
nawesl,h conflicts with the provisions Of this act be-
nd the same is hereby repealed.
Among the bills passed during the last week,
nay notice one that was passed the Senate incorpo
| Hlng the Managers and Compan OF the Conestoga
| steam Cotton Mills in the City OF Lancaster.
| This Is one of the largest manufacturing establish
| tents in Pennsylvania, or Is intended 10 be so,
-der i,s incorporation. The Legislature has gen
| lly refused TO incorporate companies OF this kind
| II in the present instance the vote OF the Senate
sas decided one--Yeas 90, Nays :.
By the Charter the Company Is limited in contract
u debts TO amount not exceeding one half of the
aphll actually paid in for any excess the Managers
rensde individually liable.
2fdividends made imparing capital stock, the
Nknsgers individually liable.
J. Ii the officers of the company shall einbezzle the
rsas they shall be liable, upon conviction. 10 fine and
Epsisonmen-
Mr.. Magehun has introduced resolutions into the
House providing for an amendment Of the Coustitu-
1oo. 50 as TO make the tenure of all the law Judges
Ehe Commonwealth during good behavior, subject
oremoyal upon the address of two thirds of each
feach OF the Legislature.
Mr. Kunkel has presented bill for the resump-
naOi,he Beaver Division OF the Pennsylvania Ca
ably the State.
Powerful efforts have been made 10 change the
"9nty seats of two of our old counties, Delaware
aFHye,te-,hat OF the former by the old Quaker
c%a Of Chester. These efforts have both most sig
auy tailed. Both propositions were rejected by a
'o:sot 20 TO in the House.
There has been fine fall of snow within two
ays and as consequence there are several mails
I 'ae IRON all quarters Yours truly, PENN.
IMPORTANT CASE DEcIDED.-The Maryland
GUN Of Appeals decided Thursday. in the case of
St StAe tha Ear md RAM thar he