The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1850-01-09
Ohio IesiSlaturc.

After the election of Harrison G. Blake
of Medina, free-soil whig, to the Speak
ership of the Senate by the votes OF the
wings and Mr.. Swift, a democratic free
soiler, on the 3olst ballot;-the election of
J. R Knapp, the democratic Clerk of last
Session, to the ClerEship, on the "a ballot.
by the votes of the democrats and Mr..
Blake, and the election of l.. l.. Rice,
free-soiler. as Sergeant alarms, by the
votes of the democrats and Messrs. Blake
and Randall, on the 138th ballot, we say,
that, after the Senate had been thus Or
ganized by the election of its officers, we
had supposed that matters would have
proceeded harmoniously; but such has not
been the case. Disorder and disorgani-
cation still reign supreme in the Senate OF
Ohio; and what is to be the final result Is
difficult to determine.
The wings, last winter introduced a re-
solution into the House to elect the Com
mittee on Privileges and Elections by
ballot, thereby taking the power out ofthe
hands of the Speaker. The resolution
carried, and that Committee was elected
by ballot. In the Senate, this winter, the
democrats proposed that the same thing
should be done-that the power to appoint
the Committee on Privileges and Elections
should be exercised by the whole Senate
and not by the Speaker, who can only 10
SO when authorized by the Senate. ht
this the wings took fire, and now are great
advocates for the one man power OF the
Speaker to appoint the Committees. IN
ordinary times there can be no particular
objection to the Speaker exercising This
power. But when as great question as
that of the division of Hamilton county Is
to come before the Committee-a question
which has well nigh destroyed the Leg'sla-
tive branch of our State Government, anu
which may, perhaps, yet do so-modes'y'
propriety and every other considerauoh
ought to dictate to the Speaker that the
whole Senate should elect that Committee.
And even the Speaker himselfso conceded
in conversation with democratic Senators
especially as the Senate is tied or equaIy
balanced, politically.
But mark what follows. After Mr.
R,ake had been exercising the duties o
Sneaker for some days, during which tune
the democratic Senator from Hamilton
Ar Iobnson--had been recognized as
Senator. the Speaker takes it into hi
head, through the advice and c0nnlvanc'
ofwh;c Senators. to recognize Mr.. Abstrac
Breadwell, the whig claimant from ila'nli
ton as a Senator. Thus violating M
oath by recognizing 81 Senators wAei
tho stitution declares that the oeiiaV
.ha,I not consist of more than 80 mem
hers. He also violates his honor AM
the solemn pledges made by him TO TN
democratic Senators that he would per
NIT Mr.. Johnson to retain his seat untl
the final right was disposed of after tn
,eport of the Committee on PRIVILEGES an
Elections Instead Of so doing ne direct
.ho c,orL 70 call the name of Mr.. Broad
well. This the Clerk very properly reiuS
ed 70 do In this state Of things, whe
disorder and confusion prevail, the Speak
er himself calls the name Of Mr. bfoac
we'll. Thereupon the faci comes TO ny
that Mr.. Blake, the Speaker elect' ha
pledged himself to permit Mr.. Johnson t
retain his seat until the final right coul
be decided after a report. from the Com
mittee. The agreement between Nj
Blake, Mr.. Payne and Mr.. Swift, was re
duced to writing and witnessed by MI
Bamlin, and is in these words:
Memorandum of an arrangement &c
the purpose of efecting an organization
! the Senate. , - !.
Ii is agreed-First-Mr. Johnson on sha al
retain his seat as Senator until ms mi
r;oht to seat shall be determined, aitt
he report of the committee on Privilege
and Elections.
A Free Soiler to be elected Speaker
L. n1a 4
Ne will give our votes, if necessary,
carry out the above arrangement.