Capital Punishment

- In the Honsa ofRepresenfaiives of this Siatc, on Tuesriay last, Mr. Newhiill of Suagus presented a pelition, pigned by Charles Spear and 163 othcr, praying for the aboliiion of Capital Pudislnnent in thi& Comrnonwealth ; or, in case tliat prayer cnnnot be grunted, oskinor thst clercryinen, instead of eherifó, be nppointed hangmpn - thnt the execution of crimináis be pi blic, 'in or nrar some meeting' house - not ia ihe jail-vard, in a private mnrincr - and tl-at tiic Síibbath be the day selected for the deed, in order to make the fcpne as impressive as popsible. The petition was rend from the Speuker's chair, and crealed considernble sensation in thp House. On motionofMr. R-ichardson of Wohurn, it was voted to prnt the peiition, with all the names of the petitioners apnended to it, for the use of the