PUBLIC OFFENSES.
The reading of the bill [H. R. 393] concerning public offenses was resumed, commencing at Section 264.
Mr. O'BRIEN moved to amend Section 277 in line 2 so as to read: "Any amount not to exceed $5," and in line 3 "Any amount not to exeed $25," and in line 4 "An amount not to exceed $50 and may be imprisoned in the County Jail not to exceed thirty nor less than five days." He thought the section as it now stands is too severe. The amendment would make the matter somewhat discretionary with the prosecuting tribunals. Under the section as it stands it becomes imperative to imprison a person for drunkenness. There are some men so accustomed to drinking that they are slaves to their passion. If this section prevails he thought it would crowd the Jails with multitudes of men who are unable to pay their fines.
Mr. NEFF thought the amendment a good one, and one that should be adopted.
The amendment was adopted.
Mr. COTTON moved to amend Section 272, line 2 by inserting after the word "debt": "Or to eject or threaten to eject from any house he may occupy." He said nothing affects a family so much as ejectment for a debt or other cause; therefor he moved to amend.
Mr. KENNER thought a person trespassing should be ejected from the premises.
The amendment was adopted.
Mr. KENNER moved to add a section to punish, by fine and imprisonment any who set gill nets in the night in channels where fish pass to and fro, and thus slaughter them by the thousands. Under the present law it is hard to convict a man, because it can not be proven whether he catches the fish with a net or otherwise. He favored passing a law to prohibit putting such nets in the water.
The amendment was adopted.
Mr. CAUTHORNE demanded the previous question, and under its operations the bill passed--yeas, 67, nays, 9.
