The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1845-05-09
WHOLE NO. aao.
REMARKS OF MR.. BALDWIN,

Mr.. SPEAKER.-Although the majority
Will do here whatever they have determined
IN caucus to do, still, cannot permit them
to pass the bill without exposing its enormi-
ties, and holding its authors up TO the mertod
scorn and condemnation of an outraged and
injured community. An act without pre-
cedent in the annals of our country is TO be
consummated, and without one sensible or
substantial reason. II is true, the Senator
from Franklin has had the unblushing impu-
dence to stand in his place and try to plead
a justification, but he has failed-wholly fall
ed TO offer any argument in its favor, save,
that it will change the political complexion
OF some FIVE or six districts. That is the se-
cret spring 10 action ON this subject, and
am glad it is thus fearlessly avowed Yes,
let it be proclaimed upon the house tops, una
m the highways, that the immemorial Gus
tom of districtng the State but once in ten
years is to be broken up, and the system Of
yearly districting to be adopted for party
purposes, and for nothing else. 1t is true,
the Senator from Franklin talks about con.
tiguity Of territory and community of inter-
est, and says these should be regarded in
forming districts. But, sir, these are, with ,
that Senator, mere catch-words, cant phrases
to catch the simple. Let me turn to one ex-
ample in this bill and strip from him this
flimsy mask. Take for example the second
district, composed at present of the counties
of Butler, Preble and Darke, and you have
three continuous counties abuting each
other, and extending north upon the western
line of your State, perfectly contiguous and
sufficiently compact, and with complete
unity of interest, as the citizens Of Darke
and Preble pass directly through Butler in
going 10, and returning from the city Of
Cincinnati, the great commercial emporium
of Ohio, and of the west. This district was
composed by the wings themselves in 1882,
and was sufficiently contiguous and compact
then, having perfect community of interest
what has transpired 10 change it since that
time? viii the Senator answer? But will
he not hide his head for shame, when we
turn Senators TO the map and point out to
them his substitute? The three counties Of
Butler, PEBBLE and. Darke, lying SIDE by side,
are not sufficiently contiguous to suit the
Senator,but the three counties of Butler,W War
rem and Clinton, lying end to end, are per-
fectly contiguous and compact. The citi-
zens of the counties in the districts, as at
present composed, interminglng constantly
in their business, have no community Of in
terest, but the counties composing the new
district, each of which have their business at
Cincinnati, and their separate roads running
to that point, have, according TO the Senator,
a perfect community Of interest. Again, he
puts the counties of Greene and Darke in
the same district. What community, of in
terest exists between the people Of these
counties? An answer to that question would
be both curious and instructive. Will the
Senator give it? These excuses are the
shallowest attempts at duplicity--the himsi-
est coverings of hypocrisy. The secret is
this--in 1882 the federal party made the
Butler district as it now exists, and as il has
existed ever since; made it, sir, as federal
dstrict-but the indomitable democracy re-
deemed it, and for this they are to be pun
ished by having Warren and Clinton hung as
millstones about their necks. But Ishall not
follow the disgustinga and loathsome quibbles,
of men who are themselves as detestible
and loathsome, paraded here merely as JUS
tifcation of their wanton desecration Of the
established usages and cherished institutions
of the country.
This measure is but part and parcel of
system of outrages heaped upon our institu-
tions and the rights of our people within the
last few days. First we have commission
got up to examine the conduct of the Board
of Public Works aud their subordnates, in
which you refuse to give them notice or per-
nit them to be heard in selfdefence, and
when you have thus prepared for their trial,
you proceed the next day 10 chop off their
heads. Yes, sir, without trial, without a
particle of proof of guilt, you say to all
these public servants, no matter for what
length of time elected, or how much oftheir
time had expired, on the first day of April
next your official labors SHALL cease
Whether faithful OF indolent, mertorious or
corrupt on that DAY YOU DIE! and we
fill your places with our tools. Then We
see your State Printer, who, under written
contract with penalty of ten thousand dol
lars, to execute all your printing for three
years, bro't up to the block and beheaded
without conjunction, or distortion of the
countenances of his guilty executioners.--
But desist. Virtue shrinks from the con-
temptation of such corruption.
This bill, if il pass, will violate the imme-
mortal usage of your State, and infringe your
national constitution. The enumeration Of
the inhabitants of the United States are re-
quired to be taken once in every ten years,
and when taken, it is the duty Of Congress
to apportion the representation among the
several States, and the times, places and
manner of holding elections for Senators and
Representatives shall belnrsscrbed in each
State bN-,the Legislaturk thereAs %