The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1848-12-09
JAS. R. MORRIS, pRoPR1HroR.
wooDsFIELD, OHIO, DEC. %. ls4s
FROM THE EDITOR.
HALL OF THE HoUsE, u
Columbu 9, Dec. A, l046. {

zaton, am not now able to tell.
AT few minutes before nine O'Clock, Mr.. Lei
ter, member from Stark, called the House to or
der; Mr.. Smith. of Brown, acting as Secretary
The occasion Of Mr.. Letter taking the chair al
soon as he did, was owing to the position of Mr.
Hocomb, whig member from Gallia, who had
placed himself near the Speakers chair, and il
was believed that he was about to call the House
to order. The chairman Immediately commenced
calling the counties in the order in which they
stand in the Apportionment Bill Upon calling
Hamilton county, Messrs Pierce, Pugh, Roedter
Long and Armstrong appeared. and were sworn in
by Judge Reed. Considerable noise and disorder
prevailed in the Hall during the administration o
the oath to the democratic members from Hamil.
ton The democratic members were then all
sworn in, and, after some delay, Mr.. Townsend
free.soiI, and Mr. Bigger, of Guernsey, whig.
Afterwards the wings commenced a separate
organization, by calling Holcomb to the chair, and
Mr.. Swift, who is not a member, was directed
to call the counties, which he thereupon commen-
ced; the chairman appointed by the democrats, was
at the same time calling the wings, who did not
answer. The wings all went forward in body,
together with Spencer and Runyan, the two
wings from Cincinnati, and were sworn by some
person unknown TO me. So that we now have
sworn in seven members from Hamilton county
making in oil "a members of the House-two more
than the constitution allows. After the wings
were sworn in, Mr. Pennington, of Belmont, mo-
we'd that the House adjourn until 2 O'Clock. The
wings voted for 1.-THE democrats did not vote at
all, not recognizing the organization of the whigs
The wings thereupon all left the House. The
democrats refused to adjourn, but remain in session
up to this tme--the chairman, at intervals, calling
the absentee whig members. The confusion that
prevailed in the Hall about the time the wings
were trying to effect separate Reorganization,
it is impossible to discribe. Happily no violence
was resorted to. -...... .....I
The Senate adjourned at noon without having
elected Speaker. Six Intellectual ballotings were
had.
II may not be inappropriate to give my readere
short account OF this Hamilton county difficulty.
The wings, last winter, for the purpose of perpet-
uating majority in the Legislature. divided the
County of Hamilton into two districts. The first
wards Of the city of Cincinnati, with two Rep.
resentatives and one Senator, were to be the first
dstrict-and the remaining two wards of the city
and the remainder OF the county, were to constr
tute a second district, with one Senator and three
r The committee on appor,ion.
ment claimed that the interests of the citizens of
the city and county were different. and yet they
attached two wards of the city to the county; and
The court house for the county of Hamilton now
stands in what is called the second district. Now
why did they not include the whole Of the city in
the frat district if it is constitutional TO divide
county! The reason is obvious.
The ninth and tenth wards are strongly demo-
cratic, and the wings would have effected nothing
by the division. But the democratic party claim
that the division Of county is unconstitutional.
Tor the Constitution says that the representatives
shall be chosen annually by the citizens of each
county, respectively" Now if the citizens of one
part OF county are deprived from voting for the
number OF Representatives TO which that county
is entitled, how can it be said that they "chos-
en- by the citizens of each Co. respectively" This
same committee on apportionment admitted that a
citizen residing in one ofthose districts would be el
igbe as candidate in the other, and ifhe received
The greatest number of votes would be entitled to
his seat. The democratic party ofHamilton knowing
that their rights had been trampled upon, and that
The law was clearly unconstitutional, dsregarded
i and voted for the whole five democratic men,
oers all over the county The clerk gave them
he certificates of election, they having received
he highest number Of votes in the county. The
wo wings nf the city obtained certified abstract
If the number Of votes polled, which any one can
get by paying 25 cents. and upon that they claim
heir seats. Should the two democrats Pugh and
Pierce, retain their seats as they ought, we will
nave two majority in the House-should the whig,
get two seats they will have two majority. 1t is
now half past one o'clock and the wings are begin.
ng to come IN. From this time till close this
etter, will keep you advised ofour doings as they
occur.
During the time the wings were absent the |
crowd in the Hall measuIabIy dispersed, but il is
gain filling to overlooking. The tug of war comes
IN at two o'clock. .e |
At quarter past two, Mr.. Bigger. of Guernsey,
who had been sworn by Judge Reed. moved that
he House adjourn until tomorrow morning at |
,alf past eight. Decided in the negative. Their
Is now perfect jam in the House--some outsiders
Every now and then Kissing and stamping. This
8 certainly disgraceful, and the people of Colum.
,us may some day rue their course.
Halt past two. The Chairman Is again calling
he whig absentees. They are still absent. having
net at their own hour of adjournment
At twenty minutes to three the two members
rom AshtabuIa and Lake, fee-soilers, came fer.
ward and were sworn, Immediately after free.
oiIer from Geauga also presented bis certificate.
Mr. Bigger again moved for an adjournment, at
s minutes to three, which was decided in the
negative, sit ENS fqG. Il. y Il .ys.4f fst. .f.