The Russellville Democrat., 1891-03-19

ovtr twenty thousand and under twenty 1 five thousand, they shall each receive fees not to exceed twenty two hundred and fifty dollars per annum: and in every county where the population Is over twenty-five thousand, they shall each receive fees not to exceed twenty ] five hundred dollars per annum.' ' Senator Miller moved to indefinitely postpone the bill. In support of his motion he stated that competent and efficient man would not run for these of fees. if this bill is~passed The enorm- ous bond the sheriffs must give de- mand that the fees must be such as will induce industrious, able, courageous and financial men to seek 1t. Senator Hawkins thinks the sheriffs earn every cent the present law allows them.
 Senator Williams wants Pulaski county exempted from the provisions of this bill. On account of the large number of deputies the officials in Pu- laski must have, they could not possibly serve at the salary allowed them by this bill and discharge their duty. Senator Crawford. demonstrated that the passage of this bill would be ruin ous.
 .seessiator Tillman thinks the people are demanding that their public officials receive less. The Alliance is demand ing 1t.
 Senator Washburn showed that If salaries are paid that officials in some counties will have to do four times as much ws,rz as those lin other counties and get the same compensation,a ,and that their salaries will be paid in cou-ty scrip and that in counties where scrip Is worthless they will get nothing.
 The hour having arrived for the con- sideration of house bills, senate bill 2l5 went over.
 House bill 40, the bill to leave 1t dis cretiorory with juries to infict the death penalty or life imprisonment in cases of murder in the first degree, was read the third time.
 Senator Crawford addressed the sen- ate against the bill. It is step towards abolishing capital punishment, and any man who commits cold-b -blooded murder or rape ought to be hung.
 Senator Allen is not opposed to capi- tai punishment. This bill does not do away with capital punishment. Juries can and will infiict the death penalty for such crimes as the senator from Jefferson enumerated. But this bill does prevent men from going free. who have committed crime. Juries find extenuating circumstances; they be come convinced that it would De an outrage to hang the man, and before they will do it, they will acquit. But with this law they would imprison for life.
 Senator Brickell seemed to think that no jury, under this law, will ever In- fiict the death sentence. He pictured cold blooded assassin, and asked if 1t would not be gross abuse of justice to save this man from the gallows.
 Senator Williams dwelt at length on the reasons why the bill should pass. His points were numerous, clear, con- vincing, and correct. THE DEMOCRAT win publish brief of his remarks on to morrow. not having space to-day.
 Senator Gaughan claims that until our civilization has advanced to that degree when no one will commit mur- der, arson, rape, or treason, we will not be sufficiently advanced 10 enact this bill into law. Under our present law, according to decision of our supreme court, jury may, under an indictment for murder in the first degree, bring in verdict of murder in the second de- gree.
 But in answer to question by Sena- tor Williams, he admitted that the su- preme court held that the verdict was wrong and not authorized by law. With the death penalty staring men in the face, they will be deterred from the commission of these hoinous crimes; but if they think they can get off with life Imprisonment on technicalities and doubts they will not be deterred.
 Senator Hamby answered his argu- ments.
 Senator Erwin thinks this bill will in- crease mob violence. The people will fear that he will escape hanging on technicalities and doubts and will sum- marily mete out death to him.
 Senator Hawkins says Christ came into the world not to destroy, but to fulfill the law, which law was that given by Moses.
 Senator Bell made scriptural argu- ment in support of the bill, claiming that the inspiration of all our laws is drawn from the Bible.
 senator Harkey asked him if he thought that all the bills, being passed by this legislature, are inspired by the Bible.
 Senator w. K. Davidson thinks, the senators want to abolish capital punishment, they ought to pass law to that effect, and not shift that respon- sibility on jury, constituting them a aw-making body.
 At four minutes to 12 m. the senate took recess to pm. to-day.