Thank you for visiting SNEWPapers!
Sign up free
Domestic News
February 12, 1845
New York Daily Tribune
New York, New York County, New York
What is this article about?
Maryland's House of Legislature rejected a bill to allow men as competent witnesses regardless of religious belief, voting 37-19. Editorial criticizes the decision, advocating for admitting all relevant testimony and letting juries assess credibility based on belief.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
MARYLAND.—The Legislature (House) has rejected a bill providing that men shall be competent witnesses irrespective of their Religious Belief. The vote was 37 to 19.
This was a wrong decision, though well intended. The simple and just rule would be to admit all relevant testimony, and let the belief of the witness be given to the jury to affect his credibility. There are men who have the very shortest creeds—who believe almost nothing at all—yet will not lie; while there are others who are first-rate at believing, yet are not themselves to be believed on oath.
This was a wrong decision, though well intended. The simple and just rule would be to admit all relevant testimony, and let the belief of the witness be given to the jury to affect his credibility. There are men who have the very shortest creeds—who believe almost nothing at all—yet will not lie; while there are others who are first-rate at believing, yet are not themselves to be believed on oath.
What sub-type of article is it?
Politics
Legal Or Court
What keywords are associated?
Maryland Legislature
Witness Competency
Religious Belief
Bill Rejection
Where did it happen?
Maryland
Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Maryland
Outcome
the bill was rejected by a vote of 37 to 19.
Event Details
The Legislature (House) rejected a bill providing that men shall be competent witnesses irrespective of their Religious Belief.