Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1856-01-26
PENNSYLVANIA u LEGISLATURE.

IAN attempt was made a few days since to
repeal the liquor law of last session uneondi-
~tionally, and thus restore the old license sys-
TEN, previous to its enactment. The yeas
and nays being called, the vote stood 63 yeas,
nays 80. As two thirds were necessary to
suspend the rules, the bill was not taken up
The vote, however, shows a decided majority
against the present act. The opponents of
the present law are divided into two classes.
One section are in favor of the unconditional
repeal of the law, and the substitution of the
old license system; while the others are in
favor Of the repeal of the law, but wish to
substitute for it a ~stricter license system.
In the House the Committee on Vice and I'm
morality reported a bill to repeal the act of
last session. 1t contains simply the repeating
clause, proposing no substitute for the system
now in existence. The object is to revive the
license system as it existed before the passage
of the law sought to be repealed. - M
In the House, Mr.. Montgomery, of Mon
tour, presented a petition from Joseph Pax
ton, of that county, asking for law granting
the right of transit to slaves through this
State, and making it a penal olfenSe to violate
that law. The petitioner, he said, was an Old
Line Wing, and free from all contamination
with the - Know Nothing" party. He was a
political disciple of the sage of Ashland. He
Mr.. Montgomery wished to observe that the
right of transit through this State of slave
property was secured to the citizens of the
Southern States by the law of nations, and
the Constitution of the United States. He
moved that it be referred to the Committee on
the Judiciary.
Before the question was put ON this motion,
Mr.. Edward JOY Morris rose Che said) simply
to make one single remark, and that was, that
although the petitioner might be q disciple
generally, of the opinions of the sage of Ash
land, he certainly was not in reference to the
one entertained by him on this particular
point. He Mr.. NJ denied, in the name Of
that august champion of the principles of what
was formerly called the great Wing party,
that he advocated slavery, or even the tolera-
ton Of slavery, in the free States of the Union,
in the manner set forth in the petition Just
presented. Here the Speaker called the gen.
tleman from Philadelphia to order. And the
question being taken, thepetitiOn was referred
to the Judiciary committee-yeas, so ; nays,
p. An interesting report may be expected
from that body of distinguished gentlemen at
an early day. The movement created a tenn
porary excitement in the House.
Mr.. Laporte has read a bill in place author
ling the Canal Commissioners to examine tie
account of Joseph NJ. Bishop.
Mr.. Ingham resolutions of instruction to cur
L. S. Senator to vote for the repeal of the
kansas-NebraSka act, and substituting for it
the act erecting the territory of Oregon.
Mr.. HolcOmb a bill to divorce Isaac and
Mary Ann Morley.
The Speaker Of the Senate presented a petit
ton from citizens of Bradford county, for the
repeal of the act to restrain the sale of intox:-
eating liquors.
The two Houses met in Convention on MOI
day last, for the purpose of electing a State
Treasurer for one year from the irstf Monday
in May next. On the first ballot, Henry s.
Magraw, dem was elected, receiving 70
votes Eli Slifcr, (the present inenmbent) AZ
votes.