Democratic Sentinel, Volume 11, Number 5, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 March 1887 — POLITICAL. [ARTICLE]

POLITICAL.

The Judiciary Committee of the Pennsylvania Hou-se of Representatives has favorably reported a bill proposing an important change in the jury laws of that State by legalizing a two-thirds verdict In other words, a verdict can “be found whenever eight of the twelve men in the box agree upon conviction or acquittal Under such a law as this hung juries would soon become unknown, aud the schemes of shysters to run in a crooked man on a jury would be thwarted. Col. Robertson was refused admittance to the Indiana Senate Chamber, when he presented himself at the door on the 25th ult Counsel for Green Smith filed a petition for the rehearing of the injunction case. A resolution was adopted to investigate the conduct of Senator Johnson, charged with striking Senator McDonald during the melee of the previous day. Senator McDonald made a speech, in which, referring to the trouble between him and Senator Johnson, he said that nobody would have made such an assault except “a coward and a fool. ” He declared that he was personally responsible for what he said, either inside or outside the Senate. The Republican members of the Senate were present during the session, but refused to vote on any question presented by Smith as presiding officer. A resolution was introduced by a Democratic member proposing to submit the lieutenant governorship contest to the Supreme Court judges as a board of arbitrators, and to abide by their opinion as citizens, instead of as judges, as to who should preside over the Senate. The resolution was adopted by the Democrate, the Republicans refusing to vote on the proposition.

Ex-President Andrew D. White, of Cornell University, telegraphed President Cleveland declining to allow the use of his name in connection with the formation of the commission under the interstate commerce act. A favorable report on a bill establishing a railway commission has been made to the Nebraska House. Gov. Lee has called an extra session of the Virginia Legislature. The Texas Senate has passed the House joint resolution ordering a general election to vote on a prohibitory amendment to the State Constitution on the first Thursday in August next The United Labor party of Chicago met in convention, and placed the following ticket in the field: Mayor, Robert Nelson; City Clerk, John M. Dollard; City Treasurer, Frank G. Stanber; City Attorney, Jesse Cox. Full Town and Aldermanic tickets were also selected.

The Ohio Legislature was polled on the Presidential and Gubernatorial preferences of the members of both parties. The Republicans stood: Sherman, 82; Blaine, 10; non-committal, 2. Democrats: Cleveland, 49; Thurman, 1; non-committal, 2; anybody to beat Cleveland, 5. Gov. Foraker is the almost unanimous choice of the Republicans for a renommation, while the Democrats are divided between Congressmen Campbell and Foran and Gen. T. C. PowelL A few favor Thurman, Geddes, McMahon, and Wilkins.