The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1871-04-13
Spepch OF Hon. John Z. Harris.

On the 9Th inst, the enforcement bill being
under consideration, Hon. John 7. Harris, mem
Der of Congress from this District disseced the
legal airing Of the bill in the following brief
incisive and effective speech:
MIR. Harris, of Virginia Mr.. Speaker, in
the few minutes allotted to me, l do not intend te
discuss the general merits OF this bill. But there
is one feature OF it which strikes me as being
sufficient to condemn IL even in the estimation o
it's friends, as it mast in the judi ment OF he
country. This bill presents an aspect of juris
prudence which have never seen in any legisl
ton. In the various States of this Union. us in
England, there ere laws Tor the punishment Of
otfenses. and also laws to punish attempts to com.
nit offenses; but both in England and America
the laws punish the attempt with less severity
than the actual commission of the oiiense. Bu
this bill presents the anomaly OF inficting fol
the attempt to commit an offense higher degrees
of punishment Than is allotted to The offense when
commit ed. In other words. by this bill con
spiracy OF two NOR: persons 10 commit an as
sault and battery il made felony punishable by
ten years Imprisonment IN the peniteniiary and II
fine Of ) 10000. while assault and battery com
mtted by man is misdcmeanor, aud may
be punished by fine Of one cent and costs
appeal TO members OF the legal profession to
say whether in the history OF The law they have
SfSI WttHSsSeu SuCl an hfi0tHuly as NAT. AND L
appeal 10 gentlemen from the North 10 saw wheli-
er their own secron OF country will stand leg!s-
latlon like that? Are they willing to say that
when two men combine together to commit AS
sault and battery, but fail to carry out their in
tent, fail to hurt hair Of the head of ANYBODY.
they shall be convicted of felony sent to the pen
tentiary for ten years, and subjected to fine Of
$4,000? That is the effect OF this bill Mo-
only that; but ii two conspire and combine
iort Of off'o Il.
not commit it, and DO any toward its commits
sion, the President OF the United States, under
the third section, Is empowered to declare mar
tai law and send troops to that portion OF the
country. When u man has conceived the design
of committing an otfense, and has done any act in
furtherance OF the design, this bill allows him
no opportunity to repent of his intention. The
offense is then complete with all its horrible con-
sequences TO the party and the country.
But, sir there is one good feature in this bill;
that is, it applies to all, and it is the only one
nave been ahle to see. Every act of Congress
passed since the war on the subject Of reoonstruc-
on has been directed specially against the South
When the rasp is applied to our adversary, you
can sit with great composure and enjoy it. but
when applied to yourself or your friends, the mat
Ter presents itself in Tiff re 1t light.
Every amendment to the CONSTITUTION and ev-
cry harsh law passed since the wa. has been Sec
tcnal. referring only to the reconstructed States.
HAoep'i's one Ia" Al r, ~ .A
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against it. Pass this law and send your tro Ups
into Pennsylvania to suppress conspiracy to com
nit assault and battery, or conspiracy to commit
larceny, and guaranty Governor Geary will not
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