The Belmont chronicle, and farmers, mechanics and manufacturers advocate. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1848-1855, 1853-03-18

The late gross outrage in the House.
The first House of Representatives of Ohio.
under the new Constitution, will be remem-
bered long after the individual members conn
posing 1t have passed from the arena of pol
itics. We have had occasion to chronicle
some OF their acts during their first session.
Ihe bold, iawless act of the Clerk, in con-
tracing all the printing of last year with his
brother, without competition, in violation of
the letter and spirit OF the Constitution, and
not only without the sanction and consent of
the House, but in express opposition to it, the
employment by the Clerk and Sergeant.at
Arms of an army of dependents and hanpers-
on, as deputies, in numbers beyond all for.
mer example; the vast amount o. money maid
these nominal deputies, but real pensioners.
without consideration, upon the treasury of
the people; the disgraceful conduct of CHAR.
LEY WELLER, in hurting sand boz at the
head Of a brother Locofoco member, when
the House was in session, and ATTENDING To-
its business; and the general spirit of rowdv-
ism, Indifference to the public interests, con-
fusion, with a marked, palpable incapacity
and want of character and Experience, all
combined, have made the House of Repre-
sentatives of Ohio a reproach and by-word
throughout all the land and among the men,
bers of all parties. Its fame was notorious
before, but the last crowning act of the Clerk,
MAHLoN ii. MEDARY, in deliberately draw
! ing huge club, and knocking down Mr.. BAR
NUN, the Loccfoco member from Cuyahoga,
while standing near the Clerks desk, and
conversng with another member, and when
the House was in regular session, was alone
needed to make assurance doubly sure that
the first House of Representatives under the
new Constitution, has attained position of
notoristy, that will not be forgotten in the
annals of our history. We have seen, and
read OF many acts of outrage, of rowdyism, of
brutal violence in the legislative Halls, not
only OF Congress, but of the States of the
Union, but we frankly admit, what is known
and admitted by gentlemen of all parties in
this city, that the act of MEDARY, for recE-
less disregard of all order, decorum, or pro-
priety; for contempt, for the character and
dignity OF the House, and the honor, good
name, and reputation of the State, far trans
cends them, and throws every similar act in
the shade.
We know nothing, and care nothing about
the secret causes of the quarrel between the
Clerk and Mr.. BARNUM. Since the trans
octon we have learned that it is not of recent
growth. We know nothing of the Justice of
the charges made by Mr.. BARkUM against
the conduct of MEDARY, as Clerk. All these
things have been inquired into, and reported
upon by the special committee to which the
matter was referred. That report finds that
bARNUm was in the wrong, and that he did
injustice to the Clerk in his charges against
him. MEDARY, as Clerk, had no opportunity
to reply, and he is entitled to the benefit of
this excuse for his ire. II he had waited till
the Hous. had adjourned and then confront
ed BARNUM, there would have been at least
an apology for an assault. II he had repeled
the insult of BARNUM at the time when it was
offered, the plea OF hot blood and Offended,
injured honor would have been a paiation
with some. But, to submit to the injury for
from twenty to thirty minutes, without any
manifestations of his feelings toward Mr..
BARNUM, and after that lapse of time, when
the House was in session, and quietly pro-
ceeding with its business, when Mr.. BARNuM
accidentally happened near the Clerks desk;
without notice to him, to WELD such a for.
midable club as he then used, and to strike a
FULL blow upon his naked heed-all these
things combined, make case that is without
parallel in the land We do not justify Mr..
BARSuM, The testimony is against the truth
oi his charge. But, we cannot for moment
tolerate the act of the Clerk in thus violating
the dignity Of the House, and setting at de-
hance all the rules Of decorum aud propriety.
His expulsion was deserved, The dsgracei is
of his own seeking, and was voted him by his
own party friends .-JourRal March 9.
GIVE US THE PRoaF.--We would be obli~
xnl ,l.. a -.