Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1867-03-07
from 6arrisbura.
Special Correspondence of THE BRADFoRD
REPORTER.

The passage of bill intended to allow in-
terested parties to testify in their own suits,
in Court, is an act for which our Legislature
deserves great credit, and the large majority
in its favor shows that the measure was seri-
ously considered by the members of our law
making body. In many of the States a law
of similar character Was enacted years ago,
and although Pennsylvania has been consid-
cred the second commonwealth i'll the I'm
ion, ii has in this and other respects adhcr-
ed to old English systems that should long
ago have been rendered abSolete. Ii cannot
be denied that injustice VAS often done par
ties, who under the old order of things, had
their lips sealed, and were prevented from
giving III evidence that would have turned
the tables and led to entirely different re-
suits from those that were attained. 1t does
not seem fair that any one should be pro-
hibited from stating his or her knowledge Of
affairs in any case where il would be of the
least Importance. 1t is said that France not
only hears both sides in ciril suits, but it al
so puts the defendant on the witness stand
in criminal trials. England has abolished
the absurd custom TO which Pennsylvania
clung with SO much tenaeity, and nearly ev-
cry State in the Union has removed the seal
of silence from the lips of witnesses who are
interested parties 1t is high time for Penn
sylyania to rid itself of the old and foolish
custom to which we have referred
wrote you in former letter that there
was a prospect of an anti-gift- enterprise law
being enacted by the Legislature. IIegret
to say that there seems to be no longer any
hope for such a measure to succeed. A most
strenuous effort is being made to have law
passed to license lotteries and you need not
be surprised if the projectors of this scheme
succeed in putting it through under the plea
that the benevolent institutions of the State
will be benefited by it. 1t is proposed that
q certain portion Of the proceeds Of the lot
tories shall be paid over for the benefit of the
charitable institutions referred to. This plea
should not have the least influence in effect
ing the passage of the BILL and no member
of the Senate or House should so far forget
his duty to his constituents rs to wink at
such nefarious measure by voting to legal
ize lottery. The newspapers of the Com
monwealth should speak out openly against
the measure. Let not our State be disgrace
ed and her people swindled by means of a
bin eountenanced and supported by the Leg
islatue 1t is said that New York sharpers
are at the bottom of the affair
The Senate has at last PISSED the Jury
Bill "a description of which was given in a
former letter to this paper,) with a few
amendments. There is but one of these that
is Of any public Importance. 1t is in the
second section, and reads as follows Strike
out all after the words persons to serve as
jurors i'll the several Courts Of such county
during that year, and and inserting in lieu
thereof: IF the said commissioners cannot
agree upon the names of the persons to be
selected by them as jurors, they shall pro-
ceed as follows each of the said commits
sionerS shall make a list containing the
names of one-half OF the requisite number of
persons, and ten per centum in addition
thereto, and the proper number shall be OBJ
tanned bHeach of said commissioner striking
from the list furnished by the other num-
Der equal to the said addition, and the names
not stricken out shall be the selection of the
names of Jurors and the said jury commits
sioners shall in the mode and manner now
directed by law, place the names III the prop
er jury wheel and the said jury wheel, lock-
ed, as now required by law, shall remain in
the custody of said jury commissioners, and
the keys thereof in the custody of the Sheriff
OF said county, 1t is believed that the
House will concur in the Jury Bill and that
1t Will become a law. Justice demands it.
4 measure in which newspaper publishers
are directly interested will soon be brought
before the Legislature. It is iii the shape of
a bill providing for the publication of the
general laws Of the Commonwealth in at least
two papers in each county-one of each of
the political parties It is proposed to have
the expense of this publication borne by the
the respective counties In the Western
States the general laws are published in this
manner, and are laid before the public at the
earliest possible moment. Every reader of
a newspaper is thus supplied with copy of
the laws. Here in PENNSYLVANIA none but
justices of the Peace and other officials are
furnished with the acts of the Legislature.
and to the public they are as a sealed book.
1t Is not only to the interest Of newspaper
men to have the bill passed. but the citizens
OF the various counties, 'riH,oM respect to par
ty. should unite in urging upon the Legis-
lature the speedy enactment Of the proposed
law.
The Temperance Convention held in this
city on Tuesday and Wednesday last, was
Adecidedly the largest gathering of a similar
character ever seen in Pennsylvania and
the first one over which Governor of the
Commonwealth ever had the courage to pre-
side. Former Governors have been known
as the friends of temperance, but none of
them could be prevailed upon to accept the
chairnanship Of public convention. Gov
GEARY was the temporary President of the
one held few days since, and upon taking
the chair he delivered q brief but eloquent
address, in which he remarked that in his
lifetime he had not used quart of intoxicat-
ing liquor, neither had any of the "ardent :"
been used to secure either his nomination or
election as Governor The Convention was
composed of delegates from all parts of the
State, and I venture the assertion that a
tiner-loohing set of men were never conven-
ed in the State Capitol. The proceedings
were Of most interesting character, and the
members eyinced determination to labor
earnestly for the temperance cause until the
liquor traffic could be abolished. A series
Of resolutions We're adopted, recommending
total abstinence invoking the aid of teach