Evening journal., 1903-02-12
BILL
WAS KILLED
He Wanted All Corporations
Made Liable for Acts of
Their Constable
SPIRITED DEBATE ON THE MEASURE
Many Notices Of Important Bills Given
in the House Yesterday Afternoon.
Mr.. Warren Would Protect Those
Who Are Habtual Drunkards.
Special 10 The Evening Journal.

WIN fNiN fNaAlAAol
Special TO The Evening Journal.
Dover Feb. 12.-rhe bill introduced
by Senator Smith, making all corpora
tons liable for the acts of their special
or officers. caused a lively
discussion at yesterday afternoons ses-
sion OF the Senate, which was devoted
% the consideration of the bill. II was
finally lost by vote of 8 TO TO-
Senator Smith-"In his opposition to
this bill yesterday the senator from the
First district Of New Castle declared
that certain firms had been driven out
Of business by damage suits.
but this. Mr. President, is intended
more as q general protection than as a
driving out measure I believe in pro-
tccting corporations, l believe in pro-
tecting persons. Has the corporation
any more claim 90 protection than thel
individual? HASN'T the law contem-
plated the same safeguard? Isn't al
mans life, "a mans reputation a mans
property worth somethlng2 II q man
is choked into insenHibility for standingl
up to his rights. and is dragged through
the streets and subjected 10 every in
dignity. / say isn't he to be protected? ?I
Every man Is guaranteed by the con-
stitution not to be deprived Of mis- life,
liberty or property. Are corporations
greater than the State? Where Is the
mans remedy? lt isn't right 60 mea-
sure a mans reputation and health in
dollars and cents. ! say we must give
these men equal rights, fer a corpora
ton is no more than an individual
Mr.. President, am advocating this
bill because 1t is right. I'm not adj
vOcating it out of any sinister motive
or selfish purpose. Why would II pro-
tect corporations? Because when you
fix a penalty they are going to become
careful and not appoint persons who see
ht to go beyond the degree of reason in
their acts. But it's all corporations
We want good corporations. but we
don't want them to injure our people.
! My opponent yesterday spoke OF dam
age suits slightly, but he did not speak
of the other side-the mother who has
a husband and the children father.
IF men have the regard for human
rights. it seems TO me that bill should
pass"
Mr.. Allee--"I would like to ask Sem
ator Smith whether or not he has not
redress against city government which
commissioned him."
Mr. Smith-"That is very uncertain.
He is not under city supervision, not
paid by city. not amenable to police
commission"
Mr. Sparks Objects.
Senator Spar.Ss-"I believe it today
within the province OF the Police Com
mission of Wilmington to rescind that
officers commission at any time. II
there are certain techincalities Of law
which people fail TO observe and lose
cases Thereby then there is no reason
why we should add to the innumerable
damage laws. The corporations Of this
State have too much sense TO go into
court every time they are sued, but pro
ceed to settle the case out Of court. II
is not only unfortunate for the COM
panies doing business I'm this State, but
for the people in general"
A call for the yeas and nays showed
as follows:
Yeas, 8; nays, 10.
Bill in the House.
In the House yesterday afternoon
there were many notices Of important
bills given. Among these was one giveI
by Representative HolcOmb, authoriz
! ing the mayor and council Of New Cas-
tie to borrow a sum not exceeding $25,
600 to encourage industrial plants to 10
! cate in that city Another was givel
{ by Mr.. Rose, which raises revenue TO
the State by taxing manufactures. Thi
bill will revive chapter "a. volume IA
Laws Of Delaware, as a supplement 4
I chapter 3G4, volume IL, as amended b.
: chapter 10 and II. volume Is.
Mr. Warren gave notice of an act pro
D lviding for the protection Of persons VIII
q have the habit of drinking spirituou
p and Intoxicating liquors to excess.
Another important bill will be intro
[ duced by Representative Jones. but r'
g fers to the city of Wilmington only.
o win regulate the sale of illuminatin
d and heating gas in that city. In bi
e of Representative Buckmaster, the az
2 polntment of a gas inspector for Wi
n mington is authorized.
@ Mr. Bancroft will introduce a bill, a
e lowing the Trustees Of the Poor of Ne
a Castle county TO convey certain re-
estate in Wilmington.
Mr.. Townsend will bring up a mei
sure looking after the refining Of petr
leum and other oils in this State.
raises the standard of the inspectiC
e from 10 TO $50. 1t will require th'
u every package have a certificate
g either the Government or State Il
" spector.
Both Mr.. Messick and Mr.. Powe
gave notice of additional notary publ
bills Mr. Mesick's bill provides ol
1t for Concord, Sussex county, and N
N Powel's for Harrington.
Is The town Of Dagshoro in Suss
county will be re-incorporated by