Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-01-23

thinks it would be as we'll to finish the Job,
then the State will pay for bis defence. 1t
also provides that the State shall have the
same number Of peremptory challenges as the
prisoner-the fairness of this, no one would
dispute.
In closing, Mr.. Goddard said that the in.
crease of crime in the State 10 Que to the two
faced law on the statute books. Murder had
been on the increase since it had been under
stood that the law is not to be executed. The
lynching in Aroostook county, done by some
indication that the people had lost all conf
dence in the execution of the law, and per-
formed in that illegal way what the State had
refused to perform legally.
Rev. Mr.. Quinby of Augusta, was the next
speaker. Said he had no connected argument
to make at this time. He was opposed to
the law and practice of capital punishment.
He would like to have the law that had OPP
Grated SO admirably in Michigan and Wis
consiH should like to have that tried for five
years in this State. The more cruel the laws,
more cruel the people. The more you hang
the more you have to hang. In England this
was tried, and the hanging did not deter. Did
not think that the present law had increased
the murders. Singular that two outrageous
murders followed the lynching in Aroostook-
two of the most terrible murders in the State.
There are no Quaker murderers, because in
childhood they are taught never to take hui
man life under any circumstances. He re-
viewed the bill partially and found many OBJ
jectionable features in it. He wished the State
would try the abolition of capital punishment
Hon. G. F. Talbot of Portland, was the
next speaker. He said the friends of the bill
ask that the law be made consistent. No new
law is asked for, only that the present law
shall be made of some account. Let US have
one thing or another. The legislature have,
year after year, refused to repeal the present
law, and it remains to be seen whether the
present legislature will make it intelligent and
sensible, or sweep it from the statute book. Our
wives are not safe in their beds or our chill
dren in their cradles. Let US have some
s!raightforw ard, plain laws that coarse, bad
men can understand, ard know what they
may depend upon. Mr.. Talbot then review ed
in a very able manner the different degrees
of murder. We have not space to give even
a synopsis of his eloquent speech.
The committee adjourned to Tuesday at
subject will be had.
West Nateryille Locals.
WEST VAUDEVILLE, Jan. 81.
We have just had very interesting dis
cussion upon the question of "Capital Pun
ishment." The discussion was held in Me
mortal Hall and continued three evenings,
Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday of last week.
The speakers against capital punishment were
g. T. Stevens, Esq, Geo. Aver, Esq, Geo.
Goulding. Those in favor, Rev. T. Hill,
Capt. John N. Hubbard, and Mr.. Rowell.
Rev. .. NJ. Cousens Of Kennebunk, happened
to be present the last evening and spoke very
ably in favor of "Capital Punishment" The
Il all oil hot Gu
and drew large audiences.
Rev. Mr.. Cousens gave lecture on Sunday
evening to the young people at the Free Bap-
fist church. The audience was large and he
held them perfectly for an hour. He has lee
tured at this place several times and the often
or he comes the better the people are pleased.
We give below tine subject and brief synopsis
of his lecture last Sabbath evening. "What
Counts in the Long RUM Several things
were suggested as not counting, for instance
the spendthrift style of life of many fast
young man, and also the dishonesty that marks
the beginning of the downward career of
many a youth. Haste to be rich was set
forth as prominent feature in society to-day,
and one concerning which the young would
do we'll to beware. The lecturer referred to
fashion with her thousands of blinded devo-
tees. illustrating what would do in the short
run,-if that were all,-but cautioning his
hearers against being led in such path.
Coming to the positive side of his subject, the
speaker set down cheerfulncss as deserving
place in the list. Contentment was second;
esteeming little beginnings was a third; tenn
perance, of course, was prime essential in
making up SO honorable a catalogue, in the
estimation of the speaker, and was dwelt
upon with considerable illustration. Adher-
ence to true principles was also set forth and
historical and scriptural instances ad1uced to
illustrate. Persistency in the right was also
a point particularly emphasized. After add
ing thoroughness and integrity, the lecturer
portrayed an excellent character such as these
items would constitute, with the quotation
"Trihes make perfection, but perfection is no
trife" II.