Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1854-02-22
Court OfCommon Pleas.

This Court commenced its present session on
Tuesday last. Hon. LUTHER DAY presiding.-I
Judge DAY, continues to merit the confidence
which he has always received by these who know
him. As Judge, there is no one but admits his
competency and willingness to discharge his duty
faithfully, honestly, and with credit to himself and
honor to his position.
The important civil cases have been continued,
several important legal questions have been dis
cussed and decided. The case of Chauncey Viets
VS. Marcus Heath, appeal from the decision Of a
Justice Of the Peace. The defendant moved to dis
miss the appeal, for the reason that the amount
claimed was less than twenty dollars the plaintiff
claiming that as the defendant had filed his plea
to the declaration he had waived the objection and
brought himself within the jurisdiction of the
court. Appeal dismissed.
The Township of Randolph Us Justin Belding.
This was an action to recover two dollars penalty
for neglecting and refusing to serve as Supervi-
sor of roads. The defendant set forth in his an
swer, that he was willing to take an oath to sup
port the Constitution Of Ohio, and an oath of Of
fee, but would not swear to support the Constitu.
tion o: the United States, as he believed, that as
that instrument was read and construed, it requr-
ed sacrifices of him, which, if strictly carried out,
he would be unwarranted in making as a man and
a philanthropist. Judgment for plaintiff.
The State of Ohio Us Abraham Mankins, in
dicted for arson. The indictment charged the
defendant with burning barn belonging to Rufus
Paine, in Atwater in this county. The proof con-
sisted entirely of circumstances, and was one of
that kind Of cases, that opened wide field for the
display of legal combat. For the State appeared
Samuel Strawder, Esq, Prosecuting Attorney,
and Gen. L. V. Bierce; for the defendant, s. J.
Morse Esq, and Messrs. Ranny g. Taylor. The
case was opened by Gen. Bierce in one of those
speeches that he, only, is capable of making, to
say to the people of Portage county, that Gen
Bierce can make strong speech, would be like
our sitting down and writing puff for the New
Testament. He was followed for the defence by
E. B. Taylor, Esq. in an ingenious and able argu-
ment of two hours and half, that did great credit
TO himself and equal service to his client. In this
trial, Mr. Taylor has ably sustained the reputaton
his qualifications as an advocate and lawyer
have established, on the Reserve. Mr. Ranny
following with logical effort in support of Mr..
Taylor, and was followed by Mr.. Strawder by
clear, we'll digested and able argument, on the
part of the State. Great interest was manifested
during the entire trial, the Court House being
crowded with ladies and gentlemen, who had come
from the neighborhood Of the defendant as wit
nesses and spectators. ... a a.
In the cases of the State Us R. D. Baxter,
charged with counterfeiting; his council Berce
and Jefiries, filed motion for continuance, sup
ported by the affidavit Of the defendant stating
that he bad witnesses absent from the State, and
others living in Cincinnati, by whom he could i'm.
peach the character Of Williams the principal
witness the part of the State, and prove that he
has been successfully impeached in Cincinnati
where he resides-also that he could prove how
he came into possession of the counterfeit bills, in
his possession at the time of his arrest
The State Us. Henry Turner, charged witt
murder in the second degree, was taken up yester
day morning. There are large number of wit
nesses and crowd Of spectators in attendance
The case will probably not go to the jury befor
tomorrow.
"A PRoPosITIoN.--The Uncle Tom Advertise
proposes to publish Douglas speech on the Ne
braska bill il we will publish that of Chase, Now
we intend publish the latter whether that shee
does the former or not We intend to do more--
sorpablish al that those two Senators may ga,
upon the question in the Senate; and it matter
ittlsIto us whether that journsl does the same 0