Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1848-12-20
Ohio Legislature.

Ohio Leg glSiatufe
For the purpose of keeping our read
ers fully advised of the transactions at the
cap itol and Of The wan.on and reckless spir-
(which IS exhibited BY the "law and order
loving wings, who, in their mad efforts 10
eain power, have trampled upon the sacred
commands of the Constitution and set at
noueht the established rules and customs
Of parliamentary proceedings, we are CON-
PEELED to devote large portion OF our pa
per; and we do this the more readily as
those transactions are Of such vast impor-
lance and interest TO every citizen OF Ohio
The transaction at the Capitol for the
las, few days,is without parallel in the his
tory Of our noble State. For the first time
has violent and lawless mob attempted
10 dictate the terms upon which either
branch Of the General Assembly may be
organized, or that the State shall be LETT
without law-making power. Its the first
instance since oar State had name, that
n mob has presumed to dictate who shall
govern. And upon what himsy pre-
text have this mob and their abettors
based an excuse for this unparalleled out
rare. To what miserable subterfuge DO
they resort to cloak their infamous conduct!
Why, they assume that there are certain
Democratic members who haee certificates
of slection, and who claim and have taken
their seats upon their certificates OF esec
lion who are hot entitled to seats, and they
cl,im that that lawless cabal is the proper
tribunal before whom the question OF tft.e
shall be tried, and have predetermined the
matter; and because the Democratic mem
bers ho have the certificates Of election,
and who have the right to seats upon the
evidence furnished by them, will not back
nut and give place TO men who present no
evidence of their right to seats, these wings
have paralyzed the arm oi the law
making power and made the capitol OF the
Stale a scene of riot and confusion Where
in all the history Of legislative proceedings
do they find precedent for their course!
By what authority do they claim the right
to determine that the man haring a certif-
cnte of election shall be excluded from his
saat. while he who has none shall be admit
ted to it? The universal practice Of the
Legislatures of this State has been 10 a6.
NIT TO seates those members having certlti-
Gates, and after the organization, IN case
of contest, 10 determine who is entI'
tied to the contested sent, and tothl long
established and universally prncticed rule
the democratic members are willing, anx
ious, and, we are happy to learn, deiermln
ed to adhere. What more can they DO to
suye the state from disgrace? Would any
one require Of them that they should per
NIT that lawless band Of disorganizers tt
dictate terms to them?-to violate the Ions
established usages Of legislative bodies, ant
in their capacity as a mob, to -oecide witt
are the rightiul representatives, OF the peo
ple and who are not? No, let every mem
/, ber who has nobly taken his stand agains
this spirit Of usurpation stand as firm
the everlasting hills to the last, snd .whe
he shall return to his constituents, let ever
well-wisher of our noble State greet hlr
with well done, good and faithful servant
We shall endeavor to occupy as lltti
space as possible and at the same tim
give full account Of the transactions. W
omit the proceedings Of the Senate for tn
first few days Of the session.