The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1847-01-09
Ohio Legislature.
SENATE.


DEC. 2s. Mr.. Edgerton, from the majority of
the committee on Privileges and Elections, made
report in regard to the contested seat from the
Wayne district, concluding with resolution de-
claring the right of Mr. Wford, the contestee, to
his seat.
Mr.. Edgerton moved that the report and resolu-
ton be laid on the table and printed. Agreed to.
Considerable discussion was ecIted in relation
to the above case which occupied the greater part
of the day.
HOUSE.
Dec. 28-Mr Noble of Seneca, offered res.
oluton to the effect that the Governor be reques-
ted to furnish to this House, at as early day as
practicable, detailed statement of expenses in.
Cured by raising, subsisting and transporting the
Ohio volunteers: the particular names to whom
such items have been paid: the nature of the servi-
ces rendered therefor; together with the aggregate
amount of all such expend ndtures. Agreed to.
On motion of Mr.. Bennett, the bill 10 repeal the
black laws was taken up and referred to the select
committee on the Black Laws.
The committee on Federal Relations, to which
had been referred the petition, from Ashtabula
county, praying for an act declaring the Union
dissolved, reported that said petitioners have leave
to withdraw their petition After considerable
discussion the report was adopted.
Mr.. McMakn offered the following resolution,
which was adopted.
Resolued, That the committee on Military AT.
hab din tpI In into tha of
revising the militia law of March, 1887; and report
at the earliest day practicable
SENATE
Dec. 29-Mr WeIch offered joint resolution
sembly on Monday the 25th day of January next;
which, after sumo discussion, and Sc, eral propo-
sitions to amend, which were lost was adopted
yeas 33, nays l.
The bill to repeal the fourth section of the act
to protect purchasers at Judicial and tax sales was
passed.
HOUSE.
Dec. 29.-Nr Kerr introduced a bill to provide
for the re-assembling ofthe Board of Equalization
OF Belmont county.
Mr. Williams OF Coshocton proposed for adop-
ton resolution to the following effect: that the
Auditor of State be required forthwith to furnish
this House with full and complete statement of
the condition of the banks Of the Stae reported
to his office on the first day of November, 1916;
the amounts of stock subscribed to each
bank; and of the amounts actually paid, what por-
ton has been paid in gold aud silver, what in State
stock and what In deposites in Eastern city banks
Also the amount of specie on hand Oh said first
of November; together with all The information
required by the fifty ninth section of the general
banking law, passed February S. 1916 Agreed to.
SENATE.
DEC 30-Mr. Reemelin, from majority of the
standing committee ON Finance, made the follow
ing report:
The majority of the committee on Finance, to
whom was recommitted Senate bill No, %, togeth-
er with the pending amendments, have had the
same Under consideration, and now report the
same back, recommending the adoption of the
amendments already reported by the committee on
Finance, and then the passage of the bill.
The committee refrain from also recommending
the adoption of that amendment which provides
for reduction of 20 per cent. from the value of
all improved lands not so much because they dis
approve of the object of said amendment, but be-
cause, so far at present advised, the same seems
to make, and have made, difference in their re-
turns between town lots and lands generally But
they have furnished no data, by which improved
lands might be distinguished from unimproved-
The amendment if adopted, would, therefore, re-
qulre resting lands in this State, which would
involve an expenditure amounting. it is believed,
10 almost half as much as the relief which it is pro-
posed to afford by the amendment to agricultural
improved lands, would amount TO in one year.
The committee have also in endeavoring to draft
some practical provisions in accordance with the
object and tenor of the amendment referred to,
found it difficult To define what should be included
within the term improved lands. To make the
building of mere log cabin, or the clearance of
aiew acres on large estate, or other similar mere
temporary and partial improv ements, the criterion,
would clearly only be furnishing means to escape
taxatlon 10 those holding large tracts on specua-
ton. ....#. ..-'
The committee Of the whole desires TO hold the
amendment under further advisement. Believing
at the same time, that the amendment, if applica-
Bile at all, would more properly apply to another
bill amen datory of the tax law, already introduced
into the Senate. Ifpropcr laws are passed, bring
ing upon the tax list aH wealth of the State,
whether in the hands Of private individuals or of
corporations, If the exemptions now improperly
made in favor of certain lucrative branches of in.
ons will of themselves cease to exist for the adop-
ton Of the proposed amendment It is the object
of the hill and amendment recommended by tho