Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1852-05-10
Correspondence Of The Portage Sentinel.
Adjournment Of the legislature Mr.
GilIeft. ~
CoLuMBus, May 8, 1852.

~
CoLumBus, May 8, 1852.
Ma. II ARRfs-D Dear ,Sir: After labo.
rious session Of four months, the Legisla.
ture adjourned this morning, 10 meet again
on the Sd Monday Of Nov en- Der next.
OF the proprie,y efthis step, am per-
feclly satisfied; although should have
been unwilling to have believed it al the. I
commencement Of the: session.; have
been close and attentive observer Of The
everyday transactions of both houses, and I
candor compells me to say, thai ! have
never seen, land have been here for eve.
ry session for. ten years past, hurder
working or more industrious body, thun the
present legislature. Placed by the adop-
iion of the new constitutions, in circumslan,
ces unknown 10 former legislatures, and
most Of the members being entirely unac-
lquninted with the practical details of iegis-
iasioD, and having been interrupted by the
burning Of the State House for nearly Two
weeks, the surfrise is, that so much has
been accomplished.
About one hundred acis have been pass,
ed, some Of them very lengthy. Our new
constitution requires that all ac.s Of q gen.
eral nature shall hive uniform operation
throughout The State, aud special legisla~
tion is prohibited; consequently every bill
hns to be drafted with view 10 its general
application, and in strict accordance with
the stringent provisions Of our constitution,
This requires close investigator Take
the tax law, the municipal incorporation
act. The general Incorporation lay, and
then reflect that they must be made to
conform 10 the provisions ofihe new con-
stitution, and thatlhey must have uniform
operation, and you will have good idea Of
| the difficulty Of drafting such bills.
| You will also remember that all Of the
laws inconsistent with the present cons.iiu.'
lion were repealed by its adoption. Il re-
quired patient investigation to compose
them. Take, for instance the several old
acts relating 10 wills, and much Of the bu-
slness must be done before associate iudg-
Les. That Office has been abolished, and
The Office Of Probate Iudge created; in con.
sequence The whole Of the law relating TO
wills, has TO be remoddIed-no easy task.
So with many Of the acis. | give this one
only as on illustration. Many yet remain
10 be acied upon.
| Now, Mr.. Editor, ! ask could this be
done in day7 Can ..ull. HE necessary
changes in our laws be made in three or
| ioar Inonlhsl The Courts have all been
pu. in operation. A new tax law has been
passed, aud many other acts of great inn
por,ance. II will require at least three
months Of hard work 10 put The new cons,i-
tuition into complete operation. The ques
ton then WIS: sis il better 10 remain here
during the long, warm days of summer, or
adjourn 10 meet again in the lallf' |, was
decided by all--even those opposed to the
very idea Of an adjournment al the com
mencement OF The sesslon,-lhat il would
be better TO hold an adjourned session; for
the following among olher reasons: First,
/ the expense will be no moro, as the session,
1 is continuation Of the present one, and
no additional mileoge will be allowed for
| going 10, and returning from Columbus.-
Second, the business will not be retarded,
for if q bill has been rend once, il will be
in order 10 read the second time on the first
day of the session, although there had been
no adjournment, and all business will be
| taken up just where il was LETT off, al the
lime Of adjournment.
have said thus much 10 give you
the reasons for The necessity of IN adjourn.
men.. have no fear but what the people
will susInin The action Of the Legislature
in this when informed Of all the facts.
! more IaIented Senate, as whole, has
never assembled in Columbus. | wish I
could say as much for The House. There
were some exceptions there however. is
a general thing the House was composedol
4 men inexperienced, thought will give Them
credil for perfect honesty Of purpose.
Among the intelligen. and hard-working
members Of the Senate, was RANsoM A
GiLLETT, representing the counties Of Por-
lage and summit Your people, permit
me 10 say, were peculiarly fortunate in
sending him here. Although young
man, and inexperienced in the iniricncies
of Legislation, he soon made himself fa-
miliar with the subject by close application
and untiring industry.
Mr.. G.. was not a great taiker-.he
greatest bore in legislative assembly
but he never hesilated moment when II
was necessary TO defend his measures, or
10 attack those he conceived 10 be wrong.
On the first day Of the session be intro
duced the Resolutions, on the subject of
non-in.eryeniion, and extending an invita-
lion 10 the illustrious Kossuth, 10. visit our
noble State, and which caused him to visit
US. These resolutions did equal honor 10
to his head and heart, and showed that his
sympathies were circumscribsd by no mar.
row bounds.
TO Mr.. G. is also due the credit Of or>s
gunizing and securing the adoption Of the
system Of taxing railroads, plank roads and
turnpike companies, by which the towns
secure the benefit OF the local tax. This
was not done without serious opposition,
but the principle was just, and Mr.. 6. per-
severed until il was inserted in the bill.
might allude TO other acts which re-
dound 10 the credit of your Senator, but
will only mention that 10 him are our