The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1849-02-17


HALLor THE HoosEo OF REpREsE NATIVES.
Columbus. Feb. 8, lS49.
Dean Sra There was an immense amount Of
local business transacted to-day. A bill relative to
evidence (allowing all persons to testify. and leave
the question OF interest to the jury) was discussed
al considerable length. The bill was recommiited
10 a select committee. This has been the practice
for some time in New York, as well as in Eng
land. / think the bill will finally fall
The member from Monroe presented the remon-
strances of 35i citizens Of Monroe county against
the new county of Noble-le5 of whom were
from within the limits Of the proposed new county,
and 166 from other parts Of the county.
A resolution was offered and adopted. resolving
to adjourn on Thursday the first day of March,
and that no bills should be introduced after the
18th inst.
The folio wing resolution was offered by Mr..
Letter, and voted down by the whigs-every whig
voting against it and every democrat in favor OF it
WHEREAS, General Taylor, for the distinguish.
ed services rendered his country in defending the
integrity of the American soil, when Invaded by a
Mexican furce, which crossed the Rio Grande, and
on American soil, murdered American citizens
and whereas, General Taylor is now, or soon viii
be, on his way to the seat OF Government, 10 as
sumo the duties of chief magistrate Of this republic,
therefore,
Resolued BIZ the Senate and House Of Represen.
tatiues, That the Speaker of each branch be a COM
mittee to express to General Taylor the thanks OF
the people of Ohio Tor the services rendered by
him in the war Of 1912, in the Florida war, and in
repeIling the aggression of Mexico in the late war,
and TO invite him 10 visit the Capital of Ohio, on
his way to Washington, and in the name OF the
patriotic citizens and Legislature, to tender to him
the inequalities of the State and its Capital.
You never saw such furry as The wings were
in when the previous question was called, and
thew were prevented from offering amendments.
Another resolution, to forward to Gen Taylor q
COPY OF the defeated resolution and the vote there
on, drew out some good speeches. The resolution
was finally laid on the table.
A Joint resolution from the Senate was passed
appointing a committee of two on the part of tina
Senate and four on the part of the House, to wal
upon Gen. Taylor, and invite him to visit the Cap
ital OF the State. Dennison and Ewing, on thu
part Of the Senate, and Pugh. Olds, Morris ant
Giddings, on the part of the House.
THE EDITOR.
HALL OF THE House OF REPRESENTATIVES,,
. Columbus, February 8, l849.
: DEAR SlR:-Ths House commenced its session
I this morning at nine o'clock. A great amount o
business was transacted in committee OF the whole
> Your Representative gave notice ofhis intention
10 introduce a bill to relieve the borrowers OF tn
n Surplus Revenue. There seems to be but littL
interest manifested on this subject by members
o and | doubt il such a bill can pass.
No move was made in the House to-day on tn
, subject OF New Counties.
> In the afternoon, on a motion to commit the re
: port OF the Auditor OF State on the three per cent
fluid to the Finance Committee, the member from
a Monroe addressed the House at considerable Icing
ON the subject; and although he was several time
e interrupted by the wing members for discussin.
the merits of the question. yet he was permitted
q TO 90 on. The facts he introduced SO astoundet
the wings, that the resolution authorising the com
Z mittee to send for persons and papers, and examine
under oath, was passed without a single nay
q The speech will be reported at length in the States
man of Monday. THE EDITOR.
HALL OF THE House OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
Columbus, F.b. 10, lS49.
, DEAR SIR:-After the presentation of petitions,
to-day, among which was one from the citizens oil
Clarngton, Monroe County, praying for an act to
extend the corporate limits of said town TO low
water mark on the Ohio river, a discussion grew
up on an act to incorporate a new Medical Insti-
tute in Cincinnati. This was a fight between the
old school physicians and the reforners. The re
formers wish to have the same privileges in the
Hospital as the old regulars. No note was taken.
/ would be pleased to give my views to the
readers of the esprit" on several important SUBJ
iects before the legislature if time would permit.
Among others is the Homestead exemption law.
I ain decidedly in favor Of the passage OF such a
law, but | am fearful the friends Of the measure
will fix the exemption so high as to make the bill
Objectionable to a majority OF the members. Too
little discretion is exercised by many Legislators.
They cannot see that there is danger Of having
"too much Of a good thing"
Perhaps some of the good people of the old
Banner County will object to the repeal of the
"black laws" as they are commonly denominated.
But when any such objections are raised in your
presence, just be so good as to ask the ~objector
this question: "What are the black laws!" or,
"What has been repealed" Ten to one he cans
not give you an answer. All that has been repeal-
ed, in fact, is the law which prevented blacks and
m~ula.toes from t~estifying In courts OF justice,
where either party was a white person. Now
what sense or reason was there in excluding a
human being from telling what he knew in a court
of Justice! Were the ends Of justice subserved
by it! Were the rights Of man any safer' Most