The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1880-02-25
Notes From ihe Capitol.
FRANKFORT, KY, Feb. 2lth.

FkANk ny ftlD. -1lIl.
Etitor Herald:
The great sensation of the week has
been the coming of the Irish Member
of the British Parliament-the Hon.
Charles Stewart Parnell. In company
with the Legislative delegation which
went up to Lexington to meet him the
evening before, he came down to Frank
fort on Thursday morning, repairing to
the Capital hotel to await the hour of
ten o'clock, the hour appointed for his
appearance in the House. Long before
that hour, the people began To cOngre-
gate about the State House, and soon
the Hall of Representatives was crowd
ed with people eager to see and hear
the celebrated lrishman. The chairs
were generally occupied by ladies, and
most of the members We're ON their feet.
The House was called to order in re9ti-
lar order, hut business suspended for the
time being. The Senate also met and
took a recess, and repaired to the Hall
of the House. About a quarter after
ten, Gov. Blackburn and Mr.. Parnell
We're announced, and made their APP
pearance AT the door of the Hall, fol-
lowed by the reception committee. Mr..
McDerlnott, the Irish boy" o! the
House, and member of the commit
tee stepped forward in front of the
Speakers stand, and in Il neat, Glo-
uuent, and earnest speech, introduced
Mr.. Parnell TO the Speaker and to the
House. After which, he was conduct
ed into the stand, and introduced to
the audience by Speaker Bigger in Il
few words. Mr. Parnell then spoke
about 80 minutes, in plain, but forci-
bic manner in regard to the sufierings
of Ireland, saying that he was in the
midst of these American people a. a
beggar, asking for charity to Furnish
bread for his suffering people at home.
He also touched briefly, but in II very
conservative manner, upon the causes
of his country's woes, ascribing her
famines TO the system of land tenure in
Ireland. At the conclusion of his
speech, he remained in the House a
short time, receiving introductions and
shaking hands, after which lie went
into the Senate and remained n short
time. Both Houses resumed the regu-
lar order of business, upon the depart
ure of the distinguished guest. Mr..
Parnell is tall and well formed, has a
fine massive forehead, and eyes of a
brilliant, but mild expression. He is
plain and unassuming, both in manner
and dress, making no labored efforts at
oratory, yet using chaste and pointed
language. His appearance was an hon
est, open-hearted, frank man, and en-
tirely without bitterness and prejudice.
The bills providing for the relief of
the prison, came up as special orders,
after the departure of the distinguished
visitor, and the discussion was opened
by Capt. Allen, who favored Branch.
He was followed by Judge Hord, who,
of course, argued in favor of working
the convicts out Oh the Kentucky river,
and unlocking the rich mineral resources
of the mountains. Mr.. White followed
also advocating the same. Mr.. Feland
Offered subititute providing for the es-
Establishment of a commission to hire out
certain characters and a certain num-
her 10 be worked on public works and
i'm coal mines, &c. This we regard as
impracticable and unjust, and the result
would be under such a system, that coal
miners, who are generally honest, good
citizens would he turned out of the
mines, and cheap convict labor, would
he substituted for that of those who are
an advantage to our society. The hour
of adjournment having arrived, further
debate was cut off, and on the conven-
ing of the House yesterday morning,
the whole subject was postponed tor
few days, awaiting the action of the
Senate committee which has been car
rying on Investigations of the charges
against the Keeper of the Penitentiary.
There are numerous and serious ques-
lions arising in regard to the solution of
the Prison question, and committee
was raised on yesterday to investigate
some of them. 1t seems that Col.
South has had this Commonwealth at
his mercy for three years, so far rs the
Prison question is concerned, and the
State has got to ask concessions al his
hands.
/ The Democratic members of the
General Assembly met in caucus ON
Tuesday night and proceeded to the
nomination of candidate for Public
Printer, which resulted i'm the nominal
ton of Col. :. I. Nj Major, of the fcO-
man firm, Hon. Green X. kellar being
the contending man. Col. Major was
elected ON "Wednesday at II O'Clock, NJ,
at which time the two Houses met in
joint session to execute the order as had
been previously set.
\ bill Incorporating the town of Me
Henry, Ohio county has been passed 10y
both Houses
There was big fight in the Senate
on yesterday, over the Louisville and
Nashville Railroad Charter The Com
pany had asked for an amendment to
their Charter, authorizing them to
mortgage the road IN order to make
other purchases, An amendment was
Offered providing that the State reserve
Al, oh nh in A
ture, thereby bringing the road upon
the same footing as other roads IN the
State that had obtained their Charter
since 1856, mt which time n general law
was passed, To the effect, that all Char