Delaware State journal and statesman., 1867-01-15
LETTER FRosl DOVER.
Down, January 1ith, 1855

Monday evening. Two weeks of the session
have passed, and very little business of i'm
portance has been transacted. The Cover
nor is TO BIO inaugurated on Tuesday, and
after that event, it is to be hoped the mem
bers will go to work and pass their verdict
upon the matters and things which demand
their action. So far Dover has been very
dull, and the absence of the third House,
or what are usually termed "borers" is
somewhat remarkable, but they will be along
after while.
Two railroad bills have been brought to
light, one in the HOUSE to extend the Dover
and MahOn track west until it connects at
some point in Kent county, with the Della
ware and Maryland Railroad, and the other
to charter the Dorchester and Delaware Rail
road company. The first is in the House
and the second in tho Senate, aud both are
now receiving the attention of the Com
mittees on interpretations. The subject OF
adopting the Penitentiary system has also
been taken up in both Houses, and referred |
to special committees.
The State Library-or at least the accom- |
mediation for it's receiving some attention. |
The Governor alludes to this subject in his
message; and some of our papers fell into
the error that the Governor recommended
the establishment of State Library. The
State Library, which ia almost entirely
Law Library already exists, and what is
asked for now, is more room for the books.
Every State sends to every other State,
copies OF its laws as they are enacted, and
also copies of the reports of adjudicated
cases in their courts. This makes con-
siderable addition TO the library every year.
and the room occupied is too small for its &C
eommodation. In this connection it may
be stated, that the sum Of one hundred and
fifty dollars is appropriated every year, to
be expended by the Chief Justice, in the
purchase of legal text books for the library.
1t has, therefore, become valuable to the
Bench and the Bar, and useful in the adj
ministration of the law, and should be care
fully protected.
Perhaps the most important bill so far
introduced at this session, was presented by
Mr.. Allderdice, on Thursday last Its adop-
ton would put in force in this State, the
: Constitutional Amendment abolishing slaY-
: cry, and the Civil Rights Bill 1t is in the
~ following language:
BE ii enacted By The Senate and House q
u Represcntdtipss of the State of Deldwdre, II
u General Assembly met:
e SECTION l. That all negroes, mulattoe
q and persons Of color in this State, shall hay'
" the right to make and enforce contracts, II
4 lnssTa dane
e. TO inherit, to purchase, lease, sell, hold, con
re vey and assign real and personal property
a. make wills and testaments, and TO have iul
-, and equal benefit of the rights of persona
~ security, personal liberty and private proper
~ ", and of all remedies and proceedings TO
In the enforcement and protection of the SAINT
of as white persons now have by the Constill
!. ton and laws of the State; and shall not
u subjected to any other or different punisl
ar ment, pain or penalty for the commission
ed any act or offence than such as are prescrl
\, ed by white persons committing like acts {
-' offences.
SECTION 2. That from and after the pas
age of this act, upon the conviction OF an
negro, mulatto or person of color, OF any
he the felonies or misdemeanors enumeratt
nh and defined in title twentieth of the Revise
Code OF the State of Delaware, entitled "
Crimes and Punishments," the penalty al
| Vi ShlQ inulhttO Vi pOA D
Us of color shall be the same as is now provide
rec by law for the penalty and punishment
nng white persons for like offences
me SECTION 8. That all acts or parts OF az
ION inconsistent with this act are hereby repei
Us, ed.
,dIa On the subject-matter OF this bill, son
The thing will have to be done, and at this 81
will sion; but am not prepared 10 say, whetl
as - ns,r ~
~ ~, far as the punishments are concerned, is
ted direct antagonlsm with the Civil Rights b
md and the Courts do not now pass sentence
the negro convicts, but hold them by motto
~, rs in arrest of Judgment The bill now beft
NO, the House, opens the witness stand to
we'd rs well as regulates the matter of punishme
ihe by destroying the unreasonable distinctiC
orc which now exist on our statute book
Itch In 1864, the Legislature passed an act t
and ing every person or corporation engaged
n H. the carrying of passengers, in this Stt
was ten cents for every passenger conveyed
,use said person or corporation. The State tt
lent surer was clothed with power TO enforce
li ms payment of this tax, and yet it is notorio
Il IN and admitted bv the Treasurer's own sti
i'm. ment, appended to the Governors mess
lent that the only revenue derived from
tne source is from the Philadelphia, Wilmi
sent ton and Baltimore Railroad Company.
r in that, although said revenue is by law, in
send most solemn manner, appropriated and pie
sust ed for specific purpose, the State Treasu
ouse in violation and fragrant Disregard of
: the plain duty, has diverted said fund to o.
Gen. objects, The resolutions introduced by
For. Allderdice, relates to these matters, and
yav. be the means of aifording an opportunit
Fort the Legislature of thoroughly investiga
that the finances of the State, and placing t
I, on upon some systematic basis.
"a ~ On Thursday both Houses assemble
Della. the Hall of the House of Represented
four TO witness the opening of the certificate
IS 70 the Boards of Canvass of the several C
nd a. ties, as to the election of Governor. +
nited these returns it appeared that the majt
:, for of DR.. Cove Salisbury, for said office,
5 !, 1912 votes, and certificates of his elet
,ased were made out and signed by the speal
the The Inauguration will take place on Tue
now at noon, and joint committee will wal
I9e the Governor elect, on that day.
,bJs Divorce cases and Roads thcken a
,tting session progresses. In the House, re
ton has been introduced by Mr.. Rec
Kent, looking to the erection of an OF
De,u- residence for the Governor, but no ont
. 'he any idea that any such project will be
cd upon with favor A new State II