The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1880-02-11
Notes From thcCapitOi.
FRANKFORT, Ky, Feb. :
Editor Herald :

Since our last writing quite n number
of important measures have been intro
duced, and a greater number of them
have been re-committeed or postponed.
In fact il occurs To your correspondent
that the House is disposed to defer
everything except turnpike charters, or
amendments to same, and whenever a
bill is passed and sent to the Senate,
that august body of course must amend
il, so am finally led to conclude that
if the Lords prayer" was adopted
some one would move to amend il, or
probably offer n substitute for it. A
great deal of legislation has been cut,
and the committees are working very
continuously.
On Thursday morning last, Capt. G..
r. Allen, Chairman of the Committee
on State Prisons, Offered report on
State Prison, which was read and or
dered TO he printed. 1t sets out that
the present state of the prison il deplOr-
ably bad, and attributes the condition to
four causes, viz:
LIST. To the over-crowded condition
of the prison.
md. To defective sewerage.
3rd. To general want of cleanli-
ness about the yards, buildings, &c.
18th. To want of proper diet for the
convicts.
The report goes on to charge that the
keeper in open defiance of law, has
worked convicts on farms, and ut work
outside the walls of the prison, and that
he has failed to provide proper food,
and proper precautions against diseases,
and that he has forfeited his claims
upon, and violated his obligations to the
Commonwealth, and they further rec
ommend that a joint resolution he passed
requiring the Governor to remove the
keeper, and appoint some person or
persons to take charge Of the prison UNI
ill the Legislature can make further
provision by law. The report is de-
nounced by some as being premature,
and it is evident that there will be live
" work on this matter. The reading
of the report created quite an excite
ment, both in the House and i'm the
Hobbies. Action on the report and res
olution was deferred until next Wednes-
day, at which time there will likely be
an exciting debate.
Your correspondent will not PREJUDICE
the ease, but will only say i'm relation
to the committee making the report,
that il is good material-as good rs
there is i'm the House. Capt. Allen, OF
Caldwell, Chairman, is an able, firm,
and fearless legislator; Judge Hord, of
this city, is noted for his remarkable
prudence and considerable demeanor.
The same may be said OF the other
members of the committee.
The same committee has introduced
bill to provide for the erection of q
branch penitentiary.
A bill has passed both Houses requir-
ing manufacturers of Oleomargine oil
butterine, to brand with suitable
mark all packages of their manufacture
A large establishment for the manu-
facture of oleomargine, substitute fol
butter, has been recently opened in
Louisville, and specimen packages of il
have been sent to the hotels and board.
ing houses i'm this city. This law is tC
prevent imposition i'm the sale of it.
a bill has passed the House provid
ing for the payment of jurors in mag
istrates, police, and quarterly courts
Ii provides that the number may be ro
duced to 6, and have 30 cents for eacl
case, not to have pay, however, in NOR:
than two cases in any one day.
A bill has passed the House making
provoking, insulting or abusive Ian
guage,r intended to bring on an assault
a misdemeanor, punishable by fine o
from twenty to fifty dollars. Bills have
been introduced, but postponed, requir
ing the sheriffs to pay the revenue in
earlier, and providing for an abatement
of ) per cent for prompt payment, anC
for the adding on per cent in cas-,
Of deferred payment. Some of thes,
provisions We regard as of doubtful pro
priety.
A bill has been introduced to reduc,
the pay Of Assessors from Ii to II cent,
per list. Postponed.
Il Also bill reducing pay of witnesse,
in Commonwealth cases to 30 cent,
per day, and that only after indict
ments have been made. Went into or
ders of the day. Also bill to reduc,
salary of Auditor from $1,000 to 81 800
and clerks i'm the Auditors office, sala
res from $500 to 900. Postponed.
J A bill has passed both Houses to re
peal the "scalp law" Mourning il
heard from the mountains.
The report of the Commission ap
pointed at the last session of the Legis
lature to locate the Agricultural an,
Mechanical College, was adopted, 10
eating same at Lexington.
A joint resolution has passed tn,
House, condemning extravagant print
ing by the late Superintendent Of Pub
lie Instruction.
An act has passed both House
amending an act i'm relation to tn,
"graded school" at Hartford.
A bill has been introduced reducing
the number and pay of guards for pris
oners while being conveyed to the Pen
, itentiary. Postponed.
, A bill originated i'm the Senate, rails
ing the amount i'm controversy upol
which appeals could be taken from tn
Circuit Courts to the Court of Appeals
) from 50 to $50, was amended in tn
, House by inserting Sl0oinstead of Sl5C
A bill has passed both Houses allow