Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-03-19
ri. 4d;ou,nnnent of the Legissa-

The Adjournment of the Legisla-
t"re. ~
THE LEGISLATION THIS NNrEa.
We re indebsed to he Press fbf the
following review Of the proceedings of
the Legislature =
+ The Legislature adjourned Saturday
morning after session of q days, ~oc-
cupying precisely the same length oftime
as the Legislature of last winter ~ has
passed $50 acts and 80 resolves, large
quantity Of legislation, though there may
be some deficiencies in respect to quality.
The Legislature of 1869 is not remark
able so much for what it has done as for
the large number of important measures
il had under consideration aud which 1t
has refused to give a passage.
REJECTED MEASURES. /
Among the more important measures
that were either defeated or consigned to
oblivion 10y the way OF reference to the
next legislature" are the constabulary
act, biennial sessions of the Legislature
and biennial elections, the abolition oil
capital punishment, woman suffrage, the
repeal of the usury laws, the industrial
school for girls, the resolves in favor oi
reciprocity, Mr.. Reeds very important
railroad bin, permitting the organization
of corporations without special acts OF the
Legislature, Or. Buzzells bill IN relation
10 the manufacture and sale OF intoxicat.
inc liquors, overlooked, we understand,
in the hurry of closing up the business OF
the SESSION. an amendment 10 the divorce
laws, forbidding the party in fault to
contract new marriage, the bill author
izing the appointment of Clerks OF Courts
by Justices OF the Supreme Court, the
militia bill aud the bill striking the word
W bite from the laws and permitting The
intermarriage OF whites and negroes.
HILLS PASSED.
The list of important measures passed
is much shorter. The ratification of the
18th constitutional amendment was
matter of course with Republican Legis-
lature.
THE ANATOMY BILL.
The anatomy bill. alterheing so amend
ed as 10 be hardly recognizable and after
being pushed by Or. Tewksbury and
Others with great yigor. was passed. In
the shape it finally passed it is perfectly
unobiec,ionable, since there is no invidi'
Gus discrimination against the poor in
provision thu, the body ofGny person who
during his lifetime requested that his body
be delivered to any physician may be so
delivered. if the friends of the deceased
do no, indicate their dissent within three
DAYS. Provision is also made for the use
for the promotion of anatomical science
of the bodies OF inmates ofthe State prison
and fails, unless such person or their
friends may have expressed wis., that
they he not so used. Harris who was eN-
ecuted Friday, will probably have the
distinction of furnishing the doctors with
their first material for dissection under
The new law. Lgt those who are after
political capita" make the most oft
All the 5ig Democratic mouth, are shut,
and only the little dogs can yelp.
CArrrAI PUNISHMENT.
As the law now stands it is imperative
upon the Governor to issue his warrant at
the expiration of a year for the execution
OF prisoners under sentence of death or
to commute their sentence with the con
sent of the Council. \ complete record
OF all capital trials is to be laid before the
Governor and Council, in order that they
may he able to form an intelligent opin-
ion of the cxpediency Of committing the
sentence. 4 bill for the reformation and
mental improvement of criminals was
referred 10 the next legislature
COUNTY NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. INSTI-
TUES.
The principal redeeming feature OF the
winters work is the passage Of bills cs-
iablishing county supervision of schools
and county teachers institutes. The vote
i'm the Senate was Is to on these bills,
and. in the House So to 80 We have
already made our readers familiar with
the nature OF the radical change in our
school system that is introduced by these
laws The next thing in order is TO sc,
sixteen efficient county supervisors.
THE LIQUOR LAW.
We have not seen the bill amending
the liquor law. but understand that it is
provided therein that one person may
sign complaint upon which a warrant
for search and seizure is founded, instead
of three as is now required
CHANGES N THE CRIMINAL LAW.
The legislation this winter has been
singularly at variance with the maxim
that certainty rather than severity of
punishment is to be desired as means OF
promoting the welfare Of society. Refus
ing TO abolish the death penalty, the Leg
stature has added to it the already almost
impregnable defences that have been
erected 70 shield persons accused of
crime.-Reviews are granted in criminal
cases, and the accused is heredterto have
the closing argument. Hereafter prose
cutting attorneys will have to exercise
almost shperhuman skill to secure the
finsl conviction ofany criminal Especially
in cases of murder will the attorneys for