Smyrna times., 1859-02-17
The LEGISLATURE,


This body is still in session, and principal
engaged upon private acts and other unimpor
k.nl bills. A resolution has passed the Senat
10 adjourn on the 23d inst, sine die. The
most important acts of the past week were th,
Dlssage of the resolution for the State to en-
dorse the bonds of the Delaware Railroad Com
uany. guarantee by the P. w. d B r. R Co.;
the rejection of the bill in regard to licenses
&c: the killing cf the Mechanics Lien Bill,
and the introduction of bill into the House
providing for representation according to popu-
latiOn. The application of Wood, Eddy & Co.,
for lottery grant, has been withdrawn.
An important measure il now before tae AS
sembly, and has already passed the Senate
Ii is entitled an "Act TO establish Inferior
Courts, under the fifteenth Section of the Sixth
Article of the Constitution, and give them ju-
risdction Of the criminal matter therein men,
toned" The first section of this act provides
That there shall be and is hereby established
10 the several counties of this State, al inferior
court Of record and of law, under the fifteenth
section ii the sixth article of the Constitution
Gn0 the same SUdli nave duu eAeICISe eACIuSlRe
lurisdiction Except as herein provided) within
iher respective counties; of the criminal mat
iers following, that is to say: keeping without
license public house of entertainment, tavern,
inn, ale-house, ordinary or vitualling house
retailing or selling without license. WINE, rum,
brandy, gin, whskey, or spirituous or mixed
liquors contrary to law; disturbing camp meet
ings held for the purpose of religious worship;
hOrse-racing; cock-fghting and shootingmatch-
es; lsrcenies committed by free negroes or mu.
lsttOes, and the offence of knowingly buying.
receiving or cOncealing by free negroes or mu-
attOes, stolen goods and things the subject of
larceny, and of any free negro or nulatto being
accessory to any larceny committed within the
limits Of their respective counties"
This appears to be very important bill. Ii
rsEides for holding the courts quarterly in
each of the counties where the courts arc now
held This tribunal is TO be called the Court
Of Quarter Sessions, and the associate Judge
Of the Superior Court residing in each county
is 10 be the sole Judge of the said Court. The
Sessions are to be held quarterly, or four times
eleh year, and shall commence on the first
Monday of each ofthe months of January, April, !
July and October in every year, and at New
Castle. Dover and Georgetown in the respective
counties Of the State. Such a tribunal as this
has long been needed especially in New Cas-
lie county, in order to expedite the legal busi-
ness Of the county. Heretofore, as our readers
ell know, these trifing cases have all been tried
before the Superior Court at a great waste of
time. money and labor.
Or The following bill is now before the
legislature, with prospect of it's passage:
AN ACT 10 Amend Chapter IS of the Re-
rised Statutes Of the State Of DeLGpGre.
Section l. Be it enacted by the Senate and
House Of Representatives of the State of Della
ware in General Assembly met, That Chapter
75 OF the Revised Statutes of the State of Della
ware, entitled "Of DiUOrce," be and the same
is hereby amended, as follows, viz: BY striking
oat all Of the first section after the word
" causes" in line Of said section, down TO and
inclusive of the werd abandonment" in the
9Th line of said section, and inserting the fol-
lowing in lieu thereof, viz: "at the instance of
the injured party.
"FIrst. A divorce from the bond of matri-
mOny may be decreed for adultsky of the wife,
OF impOteney of either party aeShs time of the
Earriage.
Second A divorce from the bond of matri.
mony, or from bed and board, at the discretion
Of the court, may be decreed Tor adultery of the
husband for extreme cruelty for procurement
of the marriage by force or fraud for want of
age, either party being under the age of sixteen
years at the time of marriage, and such marrl-
ge not being after that age voluntarily ratified;
fOr the wilful abandonment of either party by
the other for three years for conviction either
in out o. the State, after marriage, OF a crime
BY the laws of this State deemed felony; for |
hsbilual gross drunkenness, for three years.
contracted after marriage, or for wilful neglect
on the part of the husband, for three years to
provide for his wife the common necessarIes OF
life"
Also, by inserting in section 3, between the
Vord divorce" and the word " and" in line
Of said section, the words, "and such sums as
nay be deemed necessary to defray her expen-
ses IN conducting her case"