Delaware State journal and statesman., 1867-03-01
LETTRR FROM DovER.
.na. nc.cf "a .y.,rnaf and GaiefaaH.


Reform in the Lau-Mr. Allderdies's Witness
Bll-Adperss Report on the Penitentidry
Question tohich hare Passed both
Houses-Reports against DiUorces = The
Police Of Wilmington Wien sciu the L.
gislature adjourn sine die--The Trip 10
Virginia, Sc, &c.
Dover, February 81, 1867.
The bill concerning Witnesses, introduced
by Mr.. Allderdice, passed the Senate on
Monday evening, afler a warm discussion.
On Tuesday morning, however, Mr.. PaYn..
ter, who had voted in the affirmative, moved
O reconsideration, which motion prevailed,
and the further consideration of the matter
was postponed until next Tuesday. There
has always been complaint on the part OF
persons outside Of the profession OF the law
Of the want of reform in its administration;
and yet when lawyers themselves propose
reforms which have been found to WORK ad'
mirably in England, from whence we derive
our law, and in many Of the States, oppo..
sition comes from those representatives OF
the people who are not in the profession
Mr. Allderdice's proposed law is nothing
more than what is known in England as
/ Lord Denman's Act, as it has,been amended
| by 0 and 10 Victoria, chapter 90, and which
| has been in operation there, the first named
| Act, since 1943, and the amendment since
/ 1851. Why should we cling to rules framed
/ two hundred years ago, when others nave
been found to subserve more iully the "a,
| ministration of Justice? The Senate should
pass this bill. A large majority of the Bench
and Bar are in favor of it, and once adopted,
its great value in the investigation OF truth
from the witness stand would be apparent
The Senate Special Committee, TO whom
was referred that part of the Governor
message which relates to the establishment
Of a State Peniten larry, have reported ad
yersely to the project, and the reported has
been ordered to be printed. The Senate ha'
also ordered the bill Tor the new Canal to b.
printed.
Houses;-To alter the name of Smyrni
Station to Smyrna Junction; 10 incorporai
the Methodist Episcopal Cemetery at y
Georges; the Wilmington and Reading Kali
road bill; to incorporate the Middleton
Q Hall Company; the Lobdell Car Wheel, Tir
and Machine Company; TO alter the nam
OF the Mahon Railroad to Delaware CentrG
Railroad; and to incorporate Washingto
Lodge of the American Protestant Assoc
l. alton.
d The Committee on Divorces has at last n
A ported against granting divorces on two r.
cent applications. Rather late in the da!
&C but we should he thankful for small fayors
o On Monday evening Mr. Bradford intr
| duced bill to deprive the City Council
all police power, and place the whole su
)" iect in the hands OF Board OF Police.
e. motion to indefinitely postpone the bill W
Ia lost, and it passed its first reading.
ne A resolution TO adjourn sine die on the 16
Of March has BEEN adopted by the Hous
u but the Senate has not yet acted upon it.
IN On Tuesday morning both Houses adopt
III a Joint resolution adjourning until next Mo
g day afternoon; and by the noon train I
members started on their trip to Virginia
iu the new line. They were accompanied
er Mr.. Hinckley, the President of the.P. w.
all b. Railroad, and other distinguished gent
men, y