Litchfield enquirer., 1850-05-09

mems are asked and almost demanded a.
very .seAsinn. partake Olien Of the charac-
er of special privileges-which, when
brought befuTe the Legislature, ii Is dill
icnlI 10 separate IiOm exiraneonS influences
so eagerly are they sought Tor, al limes,
BY those who are most Interested in such
matters. Great caution is therefore reqirec
In the exercise Oi such powers Ut legislas
.ion. Ia many instances, no doubt, just
regard for the rights of the people requires
that The Legislature should abstain from
the exercise Of such powers Of legislation,
as the only appropriate homage which can
be rendered 10 the well established pTinci-
pie Of onr admirable Bin OF Rights.
4 suggest for the consideration of the
Legislature, whether il would not be well
10 provide for system of fee banking, ny
the enactment of o general law. undeI which
corporations or associations for banking
purposes may be formed.
: In the course Of our Legislation, several
attempts haye been made to abolish the
death penalty. The subject has within
few years assumed a practical bearing,
which is beginning to be fell in our courts
of JUSTICE. II is there we see the great
difficulty which il often experienced IN
procuring conviction at trials for homi>
eide, rendered remarkable often for the eVi>
dent guilt of The accused. The reluctance
TO render verdict Of guilt in such cases, is
undoubtedly owing inmaDy instances to
the effect produced on The minds OF Jurors
by the terrible nature OF the punishment,
which requires blood for blood. On the
other hand, the sympathy which is SO often
excited in behalf oil those who have beer
iouHd guilly of the crime, and sentenced 10
death, has the effect 10 cast doubt and sus-
picion on the law itself. Thus, 100, horror
of the crime is sometimes lost in The SYM
paihy for the victim, and the punishment
affixed to the crime becomes an act of the
grossest injustice and thus too, when
victim has been launched into eternity,
many find it difficult to discriminate be-
tween premedila,ed and legal murder. /
submit TO the Legislature whether the lime
has not come, when we should blot from
our statute book that relic of barbarous
age, and substitute instead thereof, impr's.
Onmeni for life.
No laws on our Statue book are better
founded in reason and justice, than those
which exempt from execution certain
amount Of necessary household furniture,
provisions for the support of family, and
the implements Of trade. They are laws
suited TO an age of progressive wisdom and
humanity. The next step should carry Us
to the house of the citizen. A law is want,
ed 10 secure the industrious citizen the
home which he has acquired by his indus
try-and which at The same time encourage
others TO acquire property in the soil, and
a roof for shelter during life.
The exemption 10 limitcd amount, f. ON
forced sale on execution, OF the HOMESTEAD ol
every man who has acquired little property
i'll the soil-such law as shall be applicable
to debts contracted after a certain date
would, have no doubt, be productive Of last
ing benefits to the community, without affects
ing injuriously any c ass Of citizens. Such an
exemption, by securing 10 The industrious cit
zen foothold in suciety, would stimulate
HIM 10 make greater eXcrtons 10 maintain
himself and his family. 1t is tho dread Of
impending rnin and loss Of the homestead,
which not uni.cquently para,zes all the Ell
forts of a man TO save his property from fall
ing into the hands Of another.
am not unmindful of the fact that this sub
Ject has engaged the attention OF the Legis-
lature within The last few Yeas, nor thai a
law designed 10 NEE! the case thus imperfect
ly presented passed the Legislature al its SEES.
sion in .Si7, and that il was repeal d III toI-
lowing year. The fate Of the acl VI 1917,
which IN some respects may have been defcc,
i've, is not sufficient TO deter The from inviting
the legislature to consider the case again.-
Nor can too strongly recommend the passage
OF law so JUS. il. list Ii. but which in sub.
has ALREADY hapn osiot,t n hu
third OF the Safes of tins Union.
The existing laws in relation to the traffic
in spirtous liquors, have excited conflicting
opinions in the community. The currse OF
reasoning BY which II Is attempted to justify
stringent laws on the subject, would il follow.
ed out to Its legitimate conclusion, justly
the restriction of Their articles OF traffic. than
those specified in the stature. If, as il is al.
legged, the traffic In spurious liquors - immnJ-
al, and no distinction is to be made, between
the use and the abuse Of the same, il is plain
enough that stringent laws in his matter ma,
be carried to almost any extent aud be made
the instrument Of oppression aud Injustice.
rather than of wise and saiu AIRY reform. |
submit 10 the Legislature, whether the pres-
emit laws do not present many objectionable
features, sufficient 10 lusiit, essential mudifi-
cations.
ASK tue attention I'll Inc Legislature to the
number of persons employed IN business oi
various kinds, in the STATE, and t, an enquiry
into the number at hours they are expected
to labor du,ing the day. would sngges, for
whether il wculd moi be boil
just and expedent toproyide by law. that in
cases where no previous contract has been
made to labor for any specified time during a
day, that ten hours shall constitute a !. gal
days labor. The provisions Of such law,
might be extended to all persons employed in
or ON works chartered by law.
The condition oi the unfortunate who are
suffering under physca. or mental disability,
for whose benefit as.lums and retreats have
been charitably sci apart, will undoubtedl,
continue 10 merit AID rec Give the assistance
Of the Legislaiure--,o which source, even
through their human iuirmities, they have
been taught To look for succor and support
The INDECENT blind, the mute, and those mos
unfortunate still from whose minds the light
Of reason. has been cast away, are strongly en-
titled 10 the protecting care Of The State. The
standing appropriations for their men.al cul-
lure, and necessary aid and comfuri, belong To
q class OF expenditures the justice and philan-
lhFoDV al which univarsalfv