The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-06-27
BALTIMORE.
THURSDAY, JUNE 81, 1861.

We alluded, on Tuesday, in general terms, to
the adjournment Of the Legislature, and the varl-
Gus measures Of public utility which have been the
result of its recent session. 1t has occurred TO US
that it might be interesting to our readers to ind-
cate, more particularly, the character OF some OF
the most prominent enacments referred to.
To our own people, perhaps the most important
law passed is that which provides 10y careful safe
guards, against fraud in the drawing Of grand
and petit jurors for this city, and declares 1t to
be felony, punishable by confinement IN tue Peni-
Tertiary, for any officer or person whatsoever to
tamper with the ballots to be used for the purpose
in question, or in any way TO interfere with the
fair and impartial execution Of the law in the
premises In these times of official la"lessness
and political indictments and prosecutions, the ia
dependence and Integrity Of jurors is the Only e.
fectual buIwark of private rights and public lib
erty. Judges may be partisan and corrupt; sher-
ifs, marshals and prosecutors may be vcnal and
subserven'; but fair and impartial juries are q
refuge aud a shield, in the worst times aud under
the most unprincipled and oppressive administra-
tons. III the present condition of public affairs
where Justice needs to be honestly and bravely
administered, not only for the defence of those
who are falsely and mGliciousIy accused of crime
but for the punishment, through civil remedy
OF those who have assailed the laws and the
Constitution in the persons Of citizens, 10
measure could bring TO rs more hope or relief
than on securing us honest and impartial iuries-
not bought not packed, not pledged or sold to
party or to power. We are happy TO state that
the notifications introduced by the statute in
question, we learn them, are not only likely to
be a sufficient protection against fraud, bat even
against these marvellous accidents and coinci-
dence5 in the selection Of our jurors, which in their
results are quite as dangerous and demoralizlng
as fraud itself.
Among the measures of general policy
most particularly demanded by the times
and by the rights and necessities Of the people of
the State at large, will be found series of statutes
facilitating the remedies parties injured by lille
gal arrest, false imprisonment, violations OF the
hdbeaS corpus acts and of any OF those sections of
the Declaration Of Rights which relate to the Sc
curity Of the citizen in life, liberty, property, and
domicil D.; the first OF these enactments, the law
of attachment is extended TO al! actions of the class
referred to, so that wrong-doe.s who are either
non-residents Or may have removed from the
State after violating its laws and constitution in
the manner provided for--may be reached through
any properly or credits belonging 10 them which
may be found in Maryland. By the second law
of the series, the period of limitations
is extended, in such cases, from one
year, rs at present, to three By
the third, the personal character of such ac-
lions is put an end to; so that instead of dying
with the person, as heretofore, they survive as
against the estate Of The tresPasser in case of his
death, and for the benefit Of The injured party, |
should he die before recovering damages for the
injury. In aid Of these statutes, and with the
same common purpose a general act was likewise
passed, authorising sheriffs and other officers.
when prevented by force threats from serving
civil process, to make return of the facts which
shall be equivalent to actual personal service as
against the defendant. With these opportuue re
medal enactHents in aid of the existing laws, we
think it will be found, in practice that all of our
cti2anc who raav sufi4r from, tho nsse~aaaio. af
usurped and temporary power, will have the
means of enforcing that ultimate retribution,
which is sure 10 follow violence and wrong, in a
government of law and freedom.
In addition TO these measures, we need hardly
remind our readers of the repeal of all those por-
tons Of the Code under color of which the Cover
nor has illegally stripped ana proposed further de-
prvng citizens of the arms distributed 10 them
under the laws of the State Coupled with this
repeal, the joint resolution requiring the Governor
to make restitution Of the arms already Illegally
Withdrawn and handed over to the Federal Off
GERS, eXhausts the power Of the Legislature over
the subject. We should add that the repeating
law prevents the institution of any proceedings
upon the bonds given for arms by the volunteer
officers and men: that this door of official an
noyance and persecution is closed against our
worthy Chief Magistrate.
The resolutions of the Committee on Federal
Relations, ard those presented by Mr. DENNIS, of
Somerset; both series protesting against the arbi-
trary and unconstitutional action of the Federal
Government within our limits, and the latter Sc
res reiterating the desire of this State for peace,
and the recognition of the Southern Conederacy;
were adopted, as our readers are aware, by both
Houses of the General Assembly. We have not
been able TO learn whether the resolutions OF Mr.
GoRDoN, denying all responsibility of Maryland
for the enormous war debt illegally contracted by
the PRESIDENT passed by the Senate. They I
were adopted, by large vote, in the House.
Tie projected notifications of the Stay law,
and the exemption Of certain property from dis
traint for rent, did not become laws The bill
the Mayor and City Council to extend
the debt of the CITY, million and half, in case
of the failure of its usual sources of revenue, was,
lowever, finally passed. So also was the law for /
he regulation Of Druid Hill and Patterson Parks,
and legalizing their purchase, and the law author
ENG the Board Of Police, in case of necessity to I
close drinking-shops and bar-rooms, temporarily,
in the city.
The law making leasehold property mot being
held from year to year, for less term than FIVE
7ears and not renewable) subject, like real es-
ate, to the lien of judgments, completes, we be-
iove the list Of important general legislation The
asst mentioned statute, will contribute greatly, in
his city, to the security of parties, who are COM
elled, by the stay law of the previous session. to
uspend execution upon judgments. {