The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1866-01-23


Duncan, from the Adams Franklin District,
reported in favor of the admission of Hon.
David M"Ccnaughy, Republican, of Adams.
The facts in relation to the case are these
Duncan had polled for him twenty five votes
more than were polled for his competitor. Mr..
McConaughy, but admitted that ninety-three
votes were cast for him (Duncanl by deser-
: tiers. The Committee took the position that
votes were illegal the opposition contended
that the law was unconstitutional to this
was answered, that the Act having been pass
ed by Congress and approved by the Presi-
lent, it became part Of the law of the land
until declared unconstitutional by the proper
| tribnnal-the Supreme Court of the United
States Therefore, the Senate admitted Mr..
McConaughy, and he was duly qualified.
Mr. Mann presented petition from the
Commissioners of Potter county to enable
them to collect taxes in certain townships in
this county.
! Mr.. Mann introduced a Bill entitled, An
Act to increase the revenue of the Common
wealth by imposing tax on all Banks doing
business in this Commonwealth This should
become y law-if any Banks should be taxed,
of which there seems to be no question, then
all should be taxed. We do not believe in
Especial privileges, except where they are
granted purely for the good of the people.
We have received the following from Mr..
Mann, under date of Jan. 18th:
"DEAR SIR: enclose you very important
Bill which should be glad if you would print
and call attention to it. 1t has not been acted
on in the Legislature and solicit the opinion
of my constituents as to the propliety of pass
ing. Very truly yours"
The following is the bill:
Be it enacted, &C., 'That on the trial of any
issue Joined or of any matter or question or on
any inquiry arising in any suit action or pro-
ceeding in any Court of Justice in this Com
monwealth, or before any person having by
law or by consent Of parties authority to hear,
receive and examine evidence, the parties
thereto and the persons in whose behalf any
such action or other proceeding may be brought
ested in the same, shall. except as hereinafter
excepted, be competent to give evidence, either
viva voCe or by deposition, according to the
| practice of the court, on behalf of either or
any of the parties to the said action or other
! proceeding. Provided That nothing herein
contained shall render any person who is
charged with any offence in any criminal pro-
ceeding competent or cOmpellable to give evil
idence for or against himself or herself. or
shall render any person compelab'e to answer
any question tending to eliminate himself or
herself, or shall in any criminal proceeding
render any husband competent or compellable
to give evidence or against his wife, or any
wife competent or comPellable to give evil
dence for or against her husband, or in any
proceeding instituted in consequence Of adul-
terry, nor shall any husband be compellable
to disclose any communication made to him
by his wife during the marriage, nor shall any
wife be compelable to disclose any commu-
nication made to her by her husband during
the marriage"
This is truly very important matter, as il
changes materially the law of evidence in
the Courts of our State. 1t is practised in
New York, and there has its opponents and
and defenders. Whatthe action Of the Legis-
lature will be we do not know, but if there
are those in the county who are in favor OF
opposed, it might be well for them now to in
dicate their preference, If preference they
have. We have not the space at present tc
give that attention to this Bill which its i'm
portancc deserves, but hope our readers viii
peruse it carefully and indicate by some
means their opinion as to its propricty. Al
for ourselves, we are willing to leave it to thu
superior judgement of our respected Member
A Bill has been introduced to exempt al
, soldiers from the payment of taxes levied fol
the liquidation of debts incurred in the pay.
{ ment of bountes. Surely that is just ant
t patriotic measure.
/ The Harrisburg Telegraph says: "Senato
J Blgham, of AIlegany, has introduced a serie
J of resolutions, ,instructing the Senate Commit
tee on Railroads "to adopt liberal policy,
report a general Railroad law, recommend
special charters to all roads calculated to de
} velop the resources of the State and bring
remote sections thereof into communication
with nil parts of the Commonwealth. The
resolution further recommend the construction
of through line. the extension of the Con-
nellsville railroad eastward in the direction o.
Baltimore and Washington and assert tha
healthful competition, by through lines, is re-
quired TO secure cheap transportation to the
people of the State.
.
EGs~ Among the beautiful items found ir
the copperhead press of the day are such as
, this:
{ "Congress in face of the Presidents re-
quest rs we'll as Gen. Grant by a vote of 81