The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-02-10
PENNSYLVANIA LEGISLATURE.


HARRISBURG, Feb. 10.-The Speaker presented a
transmitting resolutions asking for the release Of
penalties imposed upon the city for nonpayment OF
The following petitions, ETC., were presented:-
BY Mr.. Connell, from 100 citizens OF the Twenty
third ward, for general law allowing voters OF any
district TO vote for or against licensing liquorshOps
Also from Brigadier-General John r. Baler, for
the earylcompleon OF the History OF the Pennsylva-
Also, nine circumstances from the citizens OF
Philadelphia against the repeal OF laws exempting
Also from thirty tbree ait1ens Ior the ahoor ~
Mr.. Watt, from forty citizens OF Philadelphia fer
the abolition OF the death penalty.
Mr.. HensZey, sundIy petitions from hOnOrably dis
charged soldiers for the speedy completion OF the
History OF the Pennsylvania Volunteers
Also, from the contributors to tne Pennsylvania
Hospital for an act exempting the said institution
from payment of the collateral Inheritance tax on
the beqnest OF John w. Grgg.
large number Of petitions were presented from
lowing the voters of any district to vote for or
against licensing dran-shops, and also consid era
BILE number for the abolition OF capital punishment
Mr.. Brooke from Chester county, for an apprO-
priaton to the Eastern Model Experimental Farm
Also, from the PENNSYLVANIA Fruit Growers So
Also from citizens OF Delaware and Chester
counties for a State road from Media TO Paramount
REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES.
Among the reports from committees were the fol-
The Senate bill to reduce the Indebtedness of the
State and for the safe keeping OF the public funds
House.
The Speaker announced Messrs. Brown, Mooney.
Hong, Elliot, and Bum as committee to ascertain
whether any corrupt means were used TO pass the
Metropolitan Police bill. r, d.
The special order OF the day was the consideration
Of public bills, the first OF which was on divorce, rs
follows:- -' 'H D. 81
isng, every ooWt Of Common Plsas shall have power
ali Which e c
be Of opinion upon the evidence submtted that the best
| will be promoted thereby. L.-.,l4
o es and Of the sS
and sh1 be presented t to the Court only in term
fully to examine said sppcatSn and II the Court shall
d do s ss d
divorce nnds; provisions q ibis su6pSnS s6s
opinion that the grievances complained and do
pSna shalt be awarded thereon and such application
s sd s Ss al e
| as to residence and domicil . g ~ M, .
sns ~
oo sdacs e ess ~ IN
section Il shall competent for any married woman
former statutes without neIffhend and her estate
sole at the time Of ding and presenting her application
Mr.. White, OF Allegheny, moved to amend the
principles OF the Christian Scriptures" but after
wards changed his amendment 30 as to read 'as
| taught by the principles OF the New Testament"
| Mr.. Craig, OF Lawrence said that the amendment
l was intended to make civil government administer
Christianity. 1t was the sole duty OF such Govern
ment TO regulate the natural and acquired rights OF
| man.
| 1t regarded marriage entirely as q civil contract,
| although church organizations could regard 1t as
| they pleased This amendment would change the
| whole theory OF civil government; who should
determine what the principles OF religion are when
| applied TO affairs OF State? Each gentleman has hie
| his own view OF Christian principles, and as the
| Supreme Court would be the final resort, that body
| would be called upon to define and determine spin.
tual rights. We might as well have pope at once
| to govern
Mr. Brown trusted that the views OF the gentle
man would never be adopted. He was astonished
that any one should rise In q Christian Legislature
10 place the sentiments OF Tom Paine above the
Holy Scriptures. He hoped that II any divorce bill
was passed IL would be founded on the doctrines OF
the New Testament, the foundation OF all law. n
The bill was postponed.