The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1845-12-20
III. WOODSFIELD SATURDAY, DECEMBER S45

tne means suggested, nufnDIy conceive lnat Rreat
public interest can be awakened among the people
Of the State on the ect of education, the neces-
sary discipline adopted and put into practice, nfur,
nation on the subject of the best and most impro-
we'd methods of instruction procured and furnished
to every school district, the competency of instruc-
tors greatly improved, and the system brought 10
a high degree of perfection.
The Miami University at Oxford, and the Ohio
University, at Athens, are institutions which have
been in amanner placed under the guardianship Of
the State, and richly endowed by extensive dona-
tons of land from the general government. The
former is in prosperous condition, and is accom-
pishing the useful purposes fits institution. But
the Ohio University, on account oi pecuniary en-
barrassments, and other causes, not perhaps very
well understood has partially suspended operations
The difficulties In the management OF this nstltn-
ton, are Of some standing, and for some years il
has been failing to accomplish the high objects OF
its creation II is not improbable that the difficult
ties which have blghted its prosperity, have had
their origin In the fact that the interests OF the les
sees Of the college lands, in the midst OF which the
University is located have conficted with the pros
perity of the institution. earnestly commend the
condition of this institution to your consideration,
in order that you may inquire into the causes of its
failure, and devise remedy for the evil.
The Medical College, at Cincinnati, under the
control Of the Legislature, is in prosperous con-
dtion, and managed with eminent skill and ability
II is said that enlargement Of the college edfice
is greatly needed. A REIMBURSEMENT of the state
in the institution to the Trustees OF the College
and the successors. would, as l am informed, ena-
BILE them to make the necessary additions to the
buildings. As it is inexpedient to increase the
debt OF the state, and as pecuniary connection of
the state with any company or local institution, is
founded on an erroneous principle, and proves
preudical to the interests of the state, submit to
your consideration the propriety of making the re-
nquishment mentioned ...
In government like ours, which originates from
and is controlled by the popular will, all must ac-
knowledge the necessity of guarding the free and
unbiased exercise of the elective franchise and the
purity of the baot.box. In the heat of party ex-
element, and the severe conflicts of popular sem
timent which occur at our general elections, it is
not surprising that practices should occasionally be
resorted to, calculated to defeat proper and free
expression of the popular voice through the medi-
um of the ballot-box. So far as laws can correct
this evil it is the duty of the Legislature to pro-
vide effectual remedies. Much has doubtless
been accomplished by the election law Of 1871 to
preserve the purity of elections; but there still re-
main avenues unclosed, through which, at time
OF high popular excitement, illegal votes are con-
veyed into the baot-box. The registry law pas
sed at the last session, which operates only in some
u
its operations. respectfully submit 10 your con-
sideration the expediency of extending the provi-
slons OF this law, in some form, to all the election
districts in the state. There is nothing connected
with the political institutions of the country which
should be guarded with more sanctity than the
proper exercise of the elective franchise. Legis-
lation this subject should never be governed by
party feelings, nor directed by party VIEWS
Should one party adopt measures, when in power,
70 oh h. and e A.
people for party advantages, it may be made pre-
cedent for the excesses of another party when in
power, perhaps less scrupulous and conscientious.
tits an undeniabe fact that the practice of bet
ting on elections has become an evil of no incon-
siderable magnitude. This practice is demoraliz-
ting in its tendency, and corruptng in its influence.
itbrings the consideration Of property directly to
bear in its influence on the elective franchise. II
Is true that one OF the great purposes of govern
ment is to protect the rights Of property, but prop
erty under our institutions is not made an element
of political power The practice of betting upon
elections not only brings the influence of property
to operate upon the consideration of the voter, but
can be practised to have the effect of bribery,
and to be IN fact indirect bribery in itself. Moth
ing can be more degrading to the enlightened and
free institutions OF our country, than this venal
practice Of corrupting the elective franchise and
poisoning the fountain head Of political power
The penal enactments already made on this subject
have been wholly unavailing. and utterly disre-
garded. The Grand Juries OF the State, have be-
come derelict in their duty, regard to this offence
The degrading practice has been carried on with
impunity, openly and upon board scale, The
moral feelings of the community have been yielding
to the nroads Of this base practice, and public sem
hment in this respect is travelling the downward
road to corruption. earnestly solicit your atten-
ton to this growing evil in the country. If mild
penal enactment be Intellectual in correcting the
evil. l respectfully solicit your consideration,
whether betting, as well every other species Of
bribery at elections, should not be made crime,
and the perpetrators of the act, upon conviction,
Ifit be proper to punish man by
Imprisonment In the pententiary, who knowingly
and unlawfully puts an illegal vote into the ballot
box, (Which is the case in this State,) there GER
tany can be no injustice in the nfiction of simi-
lar punishment upon an individual who procures
votes through the corruptng influence Of betting,
or any species of bribery.
A difficulty has arisen between this State and
the State Of Virginia, which deem proper to bring
to your attention. In the month of July last, three
citizens of Ohio, alleged to have been engaged in
aiding the escape Of some fugitive slaves, were
captured in the county Of Washington, in this
State, without the authority ofaw by company
Of armed men from the State Of Virginia, and forc-
bly, abducted from Ohio and incarcerated IN the
Jail Of Wood county, Virginia, to answer to Grim
nal charge. This open resort to violence and in
vason OF the rights OF citizens Of our State, was
to produce much excitement. and en-
Danger the peace and harmony of the two States.
Pains were taken to allay the excitement and pre-
vent the any further disturbance Of the peace. on
he ground that the transaction, although an out
age upon the rights of citizens, and upon the civil
authority Of this State, was the act OF lawless in
liyiduals without the sanction of the State of Vir
,inla, and that ample redress could be obtained by
peaceful resort to judicial proceedings. Accord
ngly the case was presented to the Grand Jury Of
Washington county, at the September term Of the
Court, and indictments regularly returned against
he offenders. A special agent was despatched to |
with requsition made in due form, |
IN the Governor of Virginia, for their surrender as
ugitiyes from the justice Of Ohio: and regret to
ay that, after some weeks delay, the Governor of
'irgnia deemed II proper on his part 70 refuse the
rider for the arrest and surrender of the aggres.
ors. The proceedings under the Fsquisiton can
70 more fully seen by reference to correspop-
ence on file in the Executive Office.