davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1850-07-01
Report Of the Committee Oh Taxation

We are indebted to Mr.. Swift, member
of the Constitutional Convention from this
and Summit counties, for copies of the Re-
ports of the majority and minority Of the
Standing Committee ON Finance and Taxa
tion m ade TO the Convention on the Goth
ult. The following is the majority Report:
Sec l. That the levying of taxes by the
poll is grieyous and oppressive; therefore,
the Legislature shall never levy poll tax
for county or State purposes.
Sec 2. The Legislature shall provide by
law uniform rule Of assessment and taxa
.tion, and shall prescribe such rules and
regulations as will secure a just valuation
of all property, both real and personal !:
Provided, school houses, burying grounds
and grounds upon which religious edifces
are erected, not exceeding in value the sum
of dollars. shall not be subject to pay a
tax.
Sec. 8. The Legislature shall make a
provision for taxing money invested in
State and Uni'ed States Bonds, as mon
ey at interest is taxed.
Sec. a. The Legislature shall provide
for taxing bank capital, railroad stock turn
pike company stock and canal company
stock, the same as personal property is
taxed
Sec 5 The Legislature shall provide for
tax sufficient TO delray the expenses of
the State for each year, and also suffi-
cient sum to pay the interest on the State
debt.
Sec 5. No tax of any description what
ever shall be levied or exacted, except in
pursuance of law: and every law which
imposes such tax, shall state distinctly the
object of the same; to which only it shall
be applied.
Sec. 7. No money shall be drawn from
the treasury, except in pursuance of a dis
tinct and special appropriation made by
law.
Ses. 8. The State shall never contract
any debt for purposes of internal improve
ment unless the object be particularly spe-
cited, and the proposition shall have first
been submitted to the people, and major
ity of all the voters voting al the next an
nual election, be found in favor Of the crea
ton Of such debt
Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1850-07-01
How they lutter.

The Herald some doys ugo contained
an account of the Canal Collector Wings,
holding on to their officers, and would not
be turned out by the new Board, and cheer
ed them for so doing. The laugh now
proceeds from .'tother side ofthe mouth,".
Col. MANyPENNY on learning there
was conspiracy among the Wing Collec-
tors to hold on at all hazards, went to the
Collector at Massillon and asked him if it
was his intention to hold over the lst. Of
July. He replied that it was. Then
said the Col. will have you removed
within one hour. He commissioned new
Collector on the spo: and put him on duty.
He did the same at the next port below,
and then ordered the other Collectors not
to let boat pass that was not cleared by
the new Collectors. Some came along
with double clearance. They passed.
Others with clearance from The holdover
Collectors. They were sent back. 1t
was soon found to be no go, and the Gal
phins caped.-CZevslGnd Plsin Dealer.
Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1850-07-01
A Dreadful Scene at the Gila--AmeriCans
killed.

DAN DlEGo, II PIll 90, 1Oou.
There has been terrible affair at the
mouth of the Gila. Some Americans stop
ped there TO ferry passengers, &C., over
the Rio Colorado. On last Tuesday, the
2slh, party of our or five hundred Indi-
ans attacked them, about noon, and killed
eleven Of them. Three made their escape
ard came into town. There had been fif-
teen or twenty thousand Sonoreans and
others, who had been crossing the river
during the last months, and the ferry COM
pany had nearly seventy thousand dollars.
The Indians carried off the money and pro-
visions, and burned the houses. There had
been stories of the extortion, &C., of the
Americans at the ferry.
Since this affair we learn that the Indi.
ans conceive themselves to be at war with
US, and lear that innocent emigrants may
suffer. These Indians belong to faith
less tribe. We had some difficulty with
them on our journey last year, but nothing
more serious happened than the loss of
some of our cattle, which they stole and
drove off.
Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1850-07-01
Arrival of the Crescent City.
,REAT FIRE AT SAN FRANCISCO

GREAT FlRE A L SAN FRANClSCO.
NEW York, June 24th.
The Crescent City, Capt. Stoddard, ar
rived this morning with intelligence from
California.
She brings $150,O00 in gold dust.
The Isthmus arrived at Panama from
San Francisco the 10Th, and brought down
1874 passengers, and 100000.
A destructive fire had taken place-loss
half million.
The Crescent City brings dates to 10Th
May.
Reports from the mining portion of the
country north and south continue to be of
the most favorable character.
The general state Of health at the pla-
GERS is also good.
The white population of San Francisco
was aroused by fire on the night of the 4th.
By the time the people were out Of bed,
the fire was raging terribly on one of the
public buildings. The fire spread to the
Eldorado on the one side, and Del Monicus
on the other.
Before the people had time to collect
their scattered senses, the Verandah oppo-
site the Ell Dorado was wrapped in flames,
and thence spread along Kearney and
Washington streets. At the same time it
was spreading down Clay street, till finally
every house but two in the entire block
was destroyed. In the mean time deslruc-
ton equally great and rapid, was going
along Kearney street.
Finding that the only method Of staying
the destroying element in that direction
was to take away its food; every house on
Dupert street, from Washington 10 Jackson
was torn down. The block towards the
bay Jared but little better-only seven
houses left on it..
Thus it will be seen that the very heart
of San Francisco is burned up. Upon the
several blocks mentioned but buildings
are left standing.
A Mass of gold and quartz weighing SO
pounds-was found near Maricos:, and
sold for ST. 800.
Several recent and important discove.
ries have been made-out of one hole
three mon in two days took over $4,000.
Some large Jumps have been found ane
nearly every man is making an ounce c
day.
Chagres and Panama were very healthy
The miners have generally done we'll
and more bullion may be expected during
the next six months than has been receiyee
altogether, since the commencement.
Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1850-07-01
The Bank of Wooster.

This old miserable bankrupt swim dli ng
shop is at the present term of the Court OF
Common Pleas catching her just dues, in
way not much anticipated nor desired by
the Bank lords when they once sat behind
the curtains of that harlot and matured
plans with which to bring about the de.
struction of the Democratic party in this
county and State. Many suits and some
large ones, have been passed upon within
the past week, and much to the credit and
honesty of the Court and Jurymen who sat
in iudg gment, each and every one hauc been
decided against the Bank, and judg.
ments rendered an favor ofthe plaintiffs.
And, these results, we are forced to believe,
make the Bankers squirm, while honest
men rejoice.
1t is really amusing, and yet exceeding
ly provoking to witness the efforts of distin-
guished member of the Bar, by weak and
contemplate "la1o technicalities," to screen
the Bankers from payment of their honest
debts-and "non-suit" just claimant in
consequence Of having failed to describe
every letter, syllable, punctuation and hair
line in his declaration. One gentleman
even went so far as to ask verdict for the
Bank, at the hand of the Court and jury,
because the declaratio said "bank-n- -tes"
in one place, and in another sbills." No
pretensions are made by the Bank attor-
neys towards adducing law and arguments
| in support OF their cases-trihing and in
significant quibbles are their only resort;
and hence we do not wonder that an hon
est jury always render the verdict against
them.
To the credit of Judge Cox, be it said, he
has in this Bank case particularly ,discharg-
| ed the duties of his station with dignity,
ability and fairness and has won for him i.
self the everlasting thanks of this commu.
nifty in resisting the numei Gus taunts and
abuses of the lawyers. He has thus far,
stood up for justice like an honest man
and should he hereafter pursue the samo
course the need of swell done good and
faithful servant" will be cheerfully bestow-
ed upon him.
We predict that the time is not far dis
tant when the claims against the Bank
which have been properly prosecuted in
Court, will be adjusted, either by the vol
untary act of the bankers, or the sale of
their property by the Sheriff. Nous ser-
roms Wayne County Democrat.
Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1850-07-01
Tragical B1aiTin Vermont.
DANvILLE, June 81, le

DANVILLE, JuLo 81, io co'
volunteer my services in furnishing
YOU with statement Of shocking affair
which has Just occurred in our Court House,
and has thrown our village into state OF
great CONSERVATION and excitement.
The felons Warburton alias Bristol Bill
and Meadows were brought into court this
forenoon al half past ten O'Clock, 10 receive
sentence for the crime of counterfeiting,
of which they were found guilty last week,
q report of whose trial was published in
your paper.
Immediately after sentence was passed,
which was ten years Imprisonment at hard
labor, on each of the prsoners-Bristol
Bill suddently, and with The agility Of
tiger, sprang upon Mr.. B. N. Davis, State
Attorney, and plunged the blade Of large
case knife, full three inches into his neck,
just back of the right ear, striking the neck
bone, and glancing backward instead Of
forward to which fortunate circumstance
the State Attorney is indebted for his life.
The first intimation that any one present
had of the prisoners intention, was the
sharp tnklng Of his chains, as he sudden.
ly leaped forward TO infict the wound.
Mr.. D. fell reelirg to the floor, uttering
but faint cry, the weapon sticking in the
wound. A bystander pulled out the reek-
ing blade, while Bill stood erect, with q
look of exultation depicted upon his coun
tenance. Indeed, while being doubly
ironed, he repeatedly stated that he had
but one anxiety, and that was the fear the
work was but half done-that it would not
prove fa tal-during which he eyinced as
much GOODNESS as though nothing Of any
particular moment had occurred.
The family Of the State Attorney were
Immediately sent for, and. anxiously
attending by his bedside. Mr.. D. is in a
critical cond ition, though the attending
physician encourages US with the hope
that the wound will not prove FATAL
Y. Herald.
Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1850-07-01
From the Ohio Statesman. IA
From the California EmigrantS on the
Plains
Fort LARAMIE, May IA, 1850.

Fort LARAMIE, May IA, 1850.
DEAR CoLoNEL:--I send you memo.
randum of the number Of emigrants, &C.,
that have passed this Fort up to this date,
viz: 9l2 men, women, Z children, 633
horses, 337 mules, 2l3 wagons.
Goodale's train, from Akron, Ohio, pas
sed on the llth inst, all well. CARROTS
Hain from Summit Co., is reported sixty
miles below. sMr. sturgess, from Ohio,
left here sick, is improving and will be able
to start for home by the first down train.
Mr.. R. II. Murphy, from Cincinnati, had
one of his legs broken. by the upsetting Of
his wagohsa Scott's Bluff, and is left a,
this Fort in he Hosptal::s His friend, J.
A. Morebead, fS{peins with him. G. w.
Jordan, from DQTeque, Iowa, oed May
lst, two hundred andSeight miles below, on
the north side Of the Unite. Tins is the
only death on the road %, this Hta.-
Twenty-one men passed on 6Al 1th, w{b
packs on their backs, and one~ " withy
aOheeJ barro,u. His name is hn, is
Scotchman, and says that he intends to bt
the first man in California. His Out Fl,
consists Of a wheel barrow, blanket,N Y;
| luS. UdCOL, 90 w. nuI0 DFCuu, dIlu q SINAI
quantity of sugar and coffee. He has pas
sed several trains thus far. He appear
to have plenty of money, and offers 10 be
one hundred to thousand dollars, that h
can Dheel his barrow to the city OF Sa
Francisco quicker than any four hors
team, with man to each horse can max
the trip. No one dare to take the bel
Several have offered to take him in, but h
tells them he does not wish to travel S
, slow. He is anxious to go ahead.
You may expect to here Of a great dea
Of suffering on the Plains this season.
f Some scoundrels, in order to prevent thos
in the rear from passing them, have burn
the grass at most of the regular cal Hip
places. Congress should pass law, a.
ing it a penitentiary offence hereafter
Many have already broken down thei
trains by las! driving and long marches
,, Our express passed over thousand train
, this side of Fort King. The Indians as
. if the whites are all coming.
Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1850-07-01
The Convention.

The Convention to frame new Consti-
tuition has been in session already about
two months, and yet but small portion Of
the business for which it was called has
heen transacted. 1t was not expected that
that great work could be done up in day /;
and if the Convention shall present to the
people such Constitution as they require,
it will fully compensate for all the time and
money that may be expended in its forma-
ton. We have no doubt, from what has
already been done, that constitution great
ly in advance Of the present one, will be
framed and presented to the people for their
approval, if it does not embrace every thing
we could desire in its provisions.
The Ohio Patriot, of the 2Ist ult., says:
"Up to the date Of our latest advices, at
least six vastly important points had been
considered and favola bly, acted upon:
l. The Legislature to meet only once in
two years.
2. The People to elect Judges, State and
County officers, g..
5. All acts of incorporation to be subject
to modification or REPEAL when the pub
lie good demands it.
"a. "A money compensation to be paid for
all private property taken for Rail Road,
Canal, or other purposes, without deduction
for incidental benefits.
5. The State to be prohibited from as
suming the debt Of any county, city, town
or township.
6. The creation of State Debt to be
carefully limited.
These six matters will give the new con-
stitution great strength with the masses of
the people. We esteem the third one in
order, as the very cap sheaf of all the safe
guards which can be devised to protect the
people from the wrongs which have been
Inflicted upon them by unwise and fraudu-
lent legislation.
The convention bastens slowly. We
have no objection to this provided it does
not become too slow. If the making such
petty laws as our Legislature generally
certainly the same length of time is not too
great for the construction of an instrument
which is TO be above even the Legislature
itself. The single reform of doing away
with annual sessions, will in one year, save
to the State an amount equal to all the ex-
pepses Of the Constitutional Convention till
the first day of August. If, therefore, it
should be necessary to deliberate till that
time, or even few weeks longer, in order
to get a good constitution, the people will
be amply repaid in the single item Of di-
ennial sessions Of the Legislature.
Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1850-07-01
From the St. Clairsville Gazette.
California Letter from Gov. Shannon

Col. R. Fl. Miller has received letter
from Gov. Shannon, from which we are
permitted to make the following extracts:
SAN Francisco, April 10, 1850.
My Dear Sir:-Your favor dated some
time ago, came duly to hand, and l assure
you that | was much gratifed to receivea q
line from you. suppose many of my
friends think have been very remiss in
writing them since l came to this country,
but they cannot appreciate the circum-
stances under which have been placed or
they would not think so.
While in the mines was out Of the
world, and since | came here have been
so engaged in business, that have had no
time 10 sit down and write to any of my
friends, except few in relation to business
matters.
Our courts do business very differently
here from what they do in the States.
Writs are issued returnable, some next
day, none over five days, at which time
the defendant is required to plead or have
judgment entered against him by default.
There is scarcely single case but that is
determined in one or two weeks-cases,
some of them involving half million.
Law business is done here like everything
else, with great dispatch. Our new courts
under the Stale Constitution are about 60
ing into operation, and we shall have more
system in our practice.
am now in good health, and we have
as much business as my partner and can
both do. do not think it would be diff
cult to make between so, 900 and 100000
in the course Of the year. But am anx-
ious to go home-aEd am making oil my
arrangements to leave by the July steam
er, and hope to be able to get my business
so arranged that | can do SO, and return
home then. Had stopped here June last,
and commenced my profession, | could
have been worth this day 100000. The
lawyers who stopped here then are oil rich,
and retiring from the profession.
have heard but little from the members
of my old company since | came to reside
here. Most of them went into the mines,
and some, understood, have done very
we'll. They can, no doubt do we'll in the
mines. working on their own hook, or in
small parties of three or four. There will
probably be double the amount Of gold TAX
en- from the mines this year, over what
was taken out last; owing to the increase
in the numbers and experimental knowi-
edge of the miners.
cannot undertake to give you de-
scription of this countrv-this would take
too much time. But l would say that it
never can be great agricultural country,
and the whole valley of the Sacramento is
extremely unhealthy. from the middle of
August to the first of December. The
same may be said of the valley of Trinity
river. Take the gold from this country
and it is worthless. The climate Of this
place, and of all this coast country, al
though not to say unhealthy, is the most
unpleasant | have ever encountered
There is no good or pleasant climate in
California except in the Southern part
at Los Angeles, &c. it is however, great
gold country, and that will make it the
the centre of attraction for years to come.
Your friend,
WILSON SHANNON.
10 p RI Miller Eso ....
Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1850-07-01

GEN. TAYLOR BECOME A SUGAR PLAN
rER.-President Taylor, we understand,
has purchased the splendid sugar planta-
ton of Capt. Fullerton situated about 25
miles from the city. on the right bank Of
the river. He paid, we understand, $7S,.
900 in cash. 1t is the purpose, we learn,
of the General to abandon his cotton PLAN
tation, near R odney, which is subject to
constant overhows, and concentrate his
force upon his new purchase. q. Def-
ta, Jane 8th. :-t r1zeas
He will "concentrate mis- force" Of 1900
woolly heads" on this new $4,000 plan
tation after the 4th of March 1853.
Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1850-07-01
Great Mechanical Work.

We have received the numbers of this
work, published in New York city, by d.
APPLETON & Co., to number IL, and an
excellent one it is, too. By mistake taoc
copies Of No. were sent US and No. was
omitted. We will return one Of the copies
of No 8. Will the publisher send us the
missing number?
Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1850-07-01

70 The special organ ofPresident Tay-
lor,.the Washington Republic, says, the
compromise plan of the Senate's Committee
of ThiI teen, $50 far as the vindication of
Southern honor and the preservation of
Southern rights are concerned, is an eyre
gious hunabug." Of course it wishes it to
be understood that the Presidents plan vim
dicates Southern rights.
Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1850-07-01

C. The Constitution of the United
States declares
"No money shall be drawn from the
treasury, but in consequence of appropria-
tions made by law"
By virtue of what law was the money
drawn from the treasury with which to pay
the Galphin claim?
Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1850-07-01
0F"Omnibus Bill and Henry Clay,'

GF"Omnibus Bill and Henry Clay,"
exclaimed Mrs. Partington. "Well, there!
| hope Mr.. Clay isn't getting into bad COM
pany; for | do love that man, and if he
goes with them cruel omnibus drivers,
there is no telling how soon he will be as
bad as negro driver himself" And the
good old lady took long pinch of snuff
and heaved a deep sigh for the fallen state
of humanity.
Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1850-07-01
Free Soil State Convention.

The Free Soil State Central Committee
has issued call for Mass Convention Of
that party, to be held at Cleveland, on the
22d day of August next, for the purpose of
nominating a candidate for Governor.
Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1850-07-01

A POLITICAL JoKE.-A clerk in the
War Department died few days ago, and
some anxious and expectant Whigs'thougnt
they would take time by the forelock TO
recomend candidate. They called i'm
mediately upon the Secretary and after
stating their business apologized for calling
so soon after the clerks death. The Sec
re.ary blandly assured the gentlemen that
no apology was necessary for SO early
call for the uacancy ,cas alread y filled
Detroit. Free Press. 81 20 80
Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1850-07-01

Washington letter writer's concur
in saying that the bill giving land warrants
to soldiers of 1912, will become law this
session. This is Just.
1t has already passed the House by o
decided majority.
Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1850-07-01

Bodies Found.-Of those lost on the
Griffith, says the Plain Dealer, 2i3 bodies
have been found, and others will yet be re.
covered which, added to those which will
never be found, and those which were burn
ed, it is believed will swell the list to 250.
Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1850-07-01
Distinguished Visitors

Mrs. Abby Kelley Foster the great Car
risonian dsunion lecturer, was in town on
Friday last, and lectured in the afternoon
and evening. She attracted but little at
tention.
Judge William B. Johnston, the Taylor
Wing candidate for Governor, is now in
town. He is great man.
Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1850-07-01

Dcings in Neutrality-suspicious. scene
of confusion worse confounded was witness
ed in the House on Monday, on the Boun-
ty Land Bill. The members appear dis.
posed to kill it off with kindness. All kinds
of nonsensical speeches and amendments
were made.-PoSt.
Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1850-07-01

o We are under obligations to Hon.
John Crowell, M. c. of this district, for a
bound copy of the "Report on the Finances,
l949-'50." This is the Report in which
Secretary Meredith, for the purpose of in
ducing return to the tariff policy of the
wings, estimated a deficiency of over SIX.
teen millions Of dollars, and asked Con.
gress to provide for loan of that amount
TO meet it, when the receipts into the Treas.
ury for three quarters of the year overrun
The estimates Of the great financierer for the
whole year.
Messrs. Ranney, Cooke and Swift of the
Convention, have our thanks for copies of
Reports and Documents.
Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1850-07-01
State Convention.

The Democratic State Convention meets
in Columbus en- Thursday next, to nomi-
nate candidate for Member Of the Board
of Public Works. We do not anticipate
large Or full convention, as the season
at which it is called is rather unfavorable
for that object Among the names which
will come before the Convention for nomi-
nation, the Statesman announces the fol-
lowing: Col. Jonas Ward, of Miami coun-
ty; d.. Edwin Smith, of Montgomery
county; John Taylor, of Defiance county !;
John H. Dubbs, of Hamilton county; Col.
Alexander sP. Miller, of Butler county !;
Gen. John E. Hunt, of Maumee City, and
Hon. James Myers, Of Lucus county.
Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1850-07-01

: o. The Cholera has again made its ap-
peatanee in Cincinnati and is sa d TO be Oh
the increase.