The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1854-03-08
Ohio Legislature.

vSsy iofSs ohu TeQulreO near one nour Tor
the author to read it,
Several bills were passed, and others
signed by the presiding officer.
In ihe House, the bill fixing the weight,
per bushel OF clover seed and stone coal.
was lost on the question of Its final pas.
sage. but the House agreed to reconsider
its vote.
The bill making it the duty Of to wn ship
trustees to provide for the fencing OF bur.
ial grounds, was defeated.
Quite number of petitions were pre-.
sented on various subjects-ior the repeal
OF the road law-repeal of all laws for the
collection Of debts, &c. This latter SUBJ
Ject is beginning to attract considerable
attention, end may, at no very distant
day. assume prominence as question OF
governmental policy.
"A decided expression was obtained. in
committee of the whole, against defraying
the expense Of printing agricultural re-
ports from the public treasury.
In Senate, on Monday, Feb. 27, besides
the usual routine Of business, Mr.. Akin.
son called up his resolution in reference
to q reduction Of the school tax, on which
quite an interesting discussion took place
The resolution was referred to the Commit
tee on Common Schools.
Ia the House, the following bills, among
others, were introduced:
By Mr.. Peters, to provide for the collec-
ton Of taxes due from persons having re.
moved from one county into another.
BY Mr.. Leland, 10 provide that terms
of Supreme and District Courts may be
both held at the same time.
BY Mr.. Thompson, authorizing deposi.
tions taken in Ohio to be used in other
States.
By Mr.. Parrott, for the more adequate
punishment Of those breaking into dwell
ing houses and all other buildings in the
day fine; bill specifying fine not ex-
ceeding three hundred dollars, besides
imprisonment on bread and water not ex-
ceeding sixty days
Mr., Parrott also introduced a bill de-
signed. TO remedy defect in the present
law of which persons indicted for minor
offenses 60 unpunished for want Of juris.
diciion in Courts Of Common Pleas.
Mr.. Gest offered resolution requiring
the select Committee on Temperance to
report by the 9Th of March,. debate
X
OF the day. The resolution was finally
adopted, whereupon three Of the committee
declined further service thereon.
Mr.. Gest said he had offered the resolu.
tion in good faith. II seemed to him tha,
the friends of the Maine Law had deferred
action il order that their prediction might
be verified. that nothing would be done by
the present Legislature. They desired
the Maine Law or nothing. They wanted
g feed upon agitation two years longer.
They had made strenuous exertions to
manufacture capital from the action OF the
last Legislature. lie wished to see this
question taken from the bahot-box.
Mr.. Sibley said the chairman Of the Sc
lect Committes on Temperance was absen,
with his sick family. Common courtesy
forbade the adoption Of the resolution.
Mr.. Cross said the question with which
the committee had been charged. was one
: oi the most difficult questions that had
!. come before the Legislature. Yet difficult
and important as it was, the committee had
mot yet had an opportunity to deliberate
upon it-they had not even been called
tegethar.
s.Mr. Gest. insisted that il they had not
yet deliberated upon the question, ii was
their own fault. II he Mr.. 6. could
have his own way, the committee would
be discharged from the further considera-
tion Of the subject.
Mr.. Cross inquired if there were no,
other important committees that had moi
ystreported2-an referred to the Finance
COMMITTEES as one.
n ttsc avo,,sa- he
cases were not parallel ones. The objec
desired was plainly perceived. They
wished to come looming in at the end o
the session, when time would not be afford
cd for proper investigation.
Mr.. Mackenzie agreed with the gentle
man from Greene. Mr.. Gest. The ultrs
temperance men had but one panacea fol
ell the evils of society-total prohibition
Il that was the policy OF the committee, ht
wished them to bring forward their meas
urs Tor action. Although this was not in
trinaically political question, it had beer
forced into party channel. Itwas knowr
that very large majority Of the peopl,
doubted the ability Of the General Assem-
bly, 70 legislate upon the liquor traffic, ex
cept as to its abuses. All history. as wei
oD1us0 laws VI ply SioioSys souSus uoa al
The evilsloi the body politic connected will
this subject, could not be cured in a lump
The people were emphatically against sucl
sweeping legislation. hwas thus. from th'
very nature Of things, important that th'
subject should be presented in time 70
calm and thoughtful deliberation.
4 Mr.. Parrott agreed with the gentlemen
isom Greene and Putnam. The session
Ras,e ought to be, approaching its close
Further postponement would only be pro
ancaiye Of prolonged agitation, fruitless o
good results. The committee should b.
forced TO report, il they would not act 9th
erwfse.
Mr.. Cross thought the passage Of tn
resoluiion would be an ungenerous attacl
upon the Chairman Of the committee. VIII
had been absen. several weeks, and woul
be compelled to report in six days. 1t wa
not probable that he Mr.. c. would agre
with the Chairman, or with majority Q
fhs COMMITTEES. but he wished fairness.
q Hr Gest aaid the nublic interest wa