The morning times., 1896-03-24
DEATH PENALTY GRIMES
Bill 10 Reduce Them Considered
by The House.
FAILED TO REACH A VOTE
MT. Grosvenor Advocated General
Revision of District Laws so as TO
Make imperative Many Ancient
StatUtes-Ends of Justice Often De-
feated by Them.

The House yesterday afternoon took up
for consideration the bill to reduce the
number of crimes in which the dea Ia penalty
may be inflicted.
1t is proposed to permit the juries in trials
Of crimes committed in the Territories and
the District Of Columbia TO return qualified
verdicts, substituting the punishment Of
imprisonment for life instead OF hanging.
The death penalty is abolished so far as
piracy, trea son, acce ssory TO murder,
and other similar crimes is concerned. Mr.
Grosvenor made q speech, in which he re-
ferred 70 The remarkable conglomeration Of
laws. which govern criminal Jurisprudence
In the District.
He said some old statute could be un-
earthed 10 fit almost any case that came
up for trial. AS an Illustration he told Of
court MARI al here i'm which he appeared
for the defense and expected TO prove an
important contention by a certain witness
a CASE IN POINT.
The witness took the stand and was
asked Toy the prosecutor if he believed in
the existence OF a God. Making an evasive
reply he was asked if he believed in places
or future reward and punishment. Upon
replying IN the negative, the prosecutor de-
clarcd the witness could not testify, and TO
the Intense amaZement OF Mr.. Grosvenor
produced an Old statute making a declara-
tion 10 that effect.
Mr.. Grosyenor referred 10 the fact that
iR the District there is but one degree Of
murder. The jury is charged with no other
duty than determining the guilt or inno-
cencr OF The accused. II a verdict OF
guilty is rendered the presiding Judge has
no alternative but TO sentence the prisoner
% death.
Tn Jaws OF the District. Mr.. Grosvenor
said. should be classified, modified, and
made m every particular just and reason
able. The people OF the United States, he
said. proudly refer TO the fact that in the
city of Washington there have been erected
great buildings for the various departments
OF the government which are regarded as
models OF their kind.
Enormous sums have been expended IN
the accumulation Of a great library, which
n Is intended TO make the wonder OF the
world, and suitable home is being con
structed for its accommodation.
There Is also project on foot, said Mr.
GrOsvcnOr, TO have great free public
library in the city Of Washington, and he
hoped that all the citizens Of the United
States would contribute their share 10 its
establishment and maintenance. He hoped
and believed that, ike everything else
here. il would be model OF its kind
But, concluded Mr.. Grosvenor, while the
nation is erecting in this city models or
architecture, engineering and art. ne
thought II equally important that the code
Of laws governing the District should be
modified until they, too, were models and
in fit keeping with everything in the Dis
trict.
In following Mr.. GroSvenor. Mr. MIIliken
said he also hoped that free public library
would be given TO the city of washington
and that nothing would be left undone TO
make perfect the most beautiful city on
earth
FAILED TO GET A VOTE.
After a three hours discussion The bill
was brought TO vote. but its pa SSage
was delayed by reason OF that fact hat Mr.
Barrett raised the point OF no quorum, and
tie House thereupOn adjourned.
Earlier in the day the District Commit
tee had the floor for the consideration OF
local measures and the following bills were
passed.
To provide for the recording Of bills of
sale, conditional sale, mortgages and deeds
OF trust.
To relieve James Linskey from the oper-
alton OF the law prohibiting aliens from
owning real estate in the District.
To define the standard shape and size
for dry measures in use in The District.
To remedy defects in the law relating 10
weights and measures
For the relief OF Kate Winter.