Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1857-02-07
MASSACHUSETTS LEcIsLAruRE.

FRIDAY. Feb. b.
SENATE.--Mr. Burbank, from the Commit
tee on the Judiciary, reported inexpedient to
legislate on an order relative to the manner Of
holdinx certain elections, requiring all ballots
to be enclosed in sealed envelopes.
The report of the Committee on Agricul-
ture, that it is inexpedient TO legislate on an
order relative to the cultivation OF the Chinese
sugar cane, was accepted.
The bill to increase the capital stock Of the
New Bedford Gas Light Company. was passed
to be engrossed.
The bill concerning convicts was taken up.
Mr., Turner Of Norfolk, continued his ad-
yocacy of The bill. The object of punishment
was 20 protect the community, and not to re-
form the criminal. His rights end with his
conviction Immediate execution violates no
claim OF his; while it adds to the safety of
the public.
Mr. Albee of Middesex remarked that the
public good never required the saei ifice of in
nocent men. lie also alluded to several facts
IN the history of criminal Jurisprudence,
showing how recklessly human life had been
sacrificed by judicial decisions, often without
positive proof, sometimes without the shadow
of evidence, and drew from these facts the
conclusion, that the laws by which human
life is guarded should hot be hastily removed.
Mr.. Green Of Franklin was opposed to the
existing statute, because it neutralized the
efficacy of punishment The certainty of
punishment was the best preventive of crime.
punishment was not certain under the present
law. lie would have the present law repeal
ed, that the Governor might have no discre-
ton in the matter.
Mr.. Shaw of Nantucket would oppose the
repeal of the existing law. 1t was uncalled
for; it was taking step towards barbarism,
and finally, he doubted the right of taking
life for crime.
A discursiye debate ensued between Messss.
Green of Franklin and Shaw of Nantucket,
relative to the effect Of severe punishment on
sailors. The former traced the inefficiency of
seamen to the abolition of corporeal punish
m9nt, the latter attributing their insubordina-
ton and mutiny to the brutality of officers.
Mr.. Sabin of Berkshire followed in de-
fence Of the bill.
HOUSE, Petitions Presented and Referred.
OF sundry citizens, for State aid for Kanzas
of the Warren Bank Of Danyers, tor increase
of capital stock.
Orders were adopted, for inquirIng whether
any further Legislation is needed to secure a
more general attendance of the children Of
the Commonwealth at the public schools !;
whether any further legislation is necessary
to protect the rights Of persons owning land,
over which any highway may be located with
out notice in TACT to such owner into the
expediency of making SANDER indictable aud
punishable in the same manner as libels now
are by law; what further legislation is need
ed in relation to the collection of taxes what
further legislation is needed in relation to per-
sons arraigned for crime, and discharged by
reason of insanity.
Mr.. johnson of Upton offered an arder in
structing the Committee on Printing to con.
slider the expediency of furnishing to the
members of the House the /" American Alma
mac" and " Halo's Debates for 1856"
MI Gilman of Lowell opposed the order,
and called for the yeas and nays, which were
ordered, and the roll being called, the order
was rejected, 100 to 1855.
The resolves relating 10 the indexes aud
papers OF the House of Representatives were
taken up.
Mr.. Browne of Dorchester advocated his
amendment which in substance states that
the Governor did his entire duty in this mat.
ter IN an earnest speech. He held that the
original resolves were only designed to let
Mr.. Haskell into the Treasury.
Mr.. Twombly of Boston Thought that all
this discussion was uncaled for. Speaking in
the House cost the State eight dollars min.
ute, and II was rather too costly to indulge in
70 any great extent lie held that Gov. Gard
ner had acted loosely in this matter, and that
Mr.. Haskell meant to have what money he
could get at any rate.
Mr.. Bradbury Of Boston explained the &C.
ton fthe last House, under which the work
was commenced. sd Na 1ar.afa 4
Mr.. King OF Roxbury chairman Of the
Committed stated that he was sorry that the
debate had been 50 long, but thought that had
we had more Of rhinoceros order Of Gov !.
ernor- lone little less thin skinned, or with
his friends little less 80 constituted, this
lengthy debate might have been avoided, as
much Of Il had been DEVOTED to a defence of
the Goyernor,Dot to the merits ofthe case. As
tor him, be distinctly disclaimed any personal
ieelng IN the matter, ~ and was not His Elk.
Sellenpy member Of temperance society of
lCuseeen Years standing, he would cordially
pledge him to his health and happiness. - =
tLaushter.) He Yves no political friend Of