Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1870-02-18
FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT. /
LETTER FROM HARRISBURG.
HARRIsBURG, Pa, Feb. Il, 1870.
THE LAW OF LIBEL.

LIE Law OF LIBEL,
Senator Wallace has introduced into the
Senate bill relative to libel, framed in ac-
cordauce with the resolution on the subject
passed by the State Editorial Convention
The bill provides that on the trial of actions
for damages, or Of indictments for writing
or publishing libel, the truth Of the matter
charged as libelous may be given in evidence;
and if the jury in any such case shall find
that the same was written or published from
good motives, and for justifable ends, and
that the matter so charged was true, it shall
operate to the aequittal of the defendant or
defendants, and shall be perfect defense in
all such actions for damages. It also pro-
vides that the defendant or defendants may
require that the trial shall be held in the
courts where the alleged libel was originally
published That more liberal law on this
subject is needed is very manifest. When
a man publishes the truth from good motives
aud for justifable ends be certainly ought
not to be subject to prosecution for libel.
The bin IS such one as should have been
passed long ago.
THE CONTESTED ELECTION CASES
still continue to drag along in the inyestiga
tons, and there are as yet no signs Of an end
to any of them. The case in which Mr..
Scull, Republican, contests the seat Of Mr..
Findlay, Democrat. as Senator from the dis
triot composed Of the counties Of Somerset.
Bedford and Fulton, is exciting the most in
terest Of any at the present time. The com
mittee is composed of three Democrats and
four Republicans, including Mr. Lowry.
The latter has however voted almost uni
formly with the Democrats the present
session on party measures, and such has
been the record Of nearly all the votes be
has given in the committee thus far. The
inveetis atiUu has been so hampered and
hedged around by the decision of technical
points in favor of Findlsy that there is but
little prospects Of a successful termination
Of the contest on the part Of Mr.. ScuI. The
committee in case Of Diamond rs. Watt.
from Philadelphia, meet in that city to-
night, and will probably hold sessions there
on SatuTdy and Monday. This contest bids
fair to be a long and close one.
STATE TEMPERANCE CONVENTION.
4 State Temperance Convention was held
in this city on Tuesday and Wednesday of
the present week There were about four
hundred delegates present from different
sections of the State. The Convention was
more earnest and more pointed in its work
than such assemblages usually are. The
question Of the formation of third political
party with prohibition as its central plank
was long and animatedly discussed, and
seemed to have gained considerable strength
since the holding of the Convention of las.
year, although II was defeated BY vote Of
nearly two to one. In its stead resolution
was passed recommending the adoption of
the expedient Of local option; wherever
practicable, and that in the acceptance of
any act or acts of the Legislature for the
suppression Of the general sale Of intoxica.
ting liquors, and in the selection of officers
to enforce such laws when accepted, they
should labor to accomplish this purpose by
cooperation with existing political parties,
Or by establishing independent organiza-
tons. as may be most expedient in their
several districts
LEGAL RATE or INTEREST.
A bill making the legal rate Of interest
in Pennsylvania seven per cent, and allow
ing parties to contract for ten per cent. is /
before the Legislature. A proposition of
this character has been made year after
year, but has failed to ever become a law.
In the adjoining States of New York, Ohio
and New Jersey the legal rate of interest is
seven per cent. Other things being equal.
money, ike any commodity, viii seek the
market where 1t can command the highest
price, aud the result is that much of the
capital that wozld otherwise remain within
our borders and aid in the de7elopement Of
our natural resources goes to neighhoring
States, because it there commands better
price. IF a man can get but six per cent.
interest for his money in Philadelphia and
can get seven per cent. 10 New York city he
would have to be constituted differently from
most moTtals not to 90 to the latter market
10 preference TO the former. The PROPOSE
ton Is plain common sense one, and Penn
eyiFania stands in her own light and in the
way OF the more rapid development Of her
resources SO long as she makes it crime to
receive for the use of money as great q