The weekly Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1852-1855, 1854-01-19

Of Mr.. Weights bill to regulate the fees of
Clerks of Courts. The design is, to pro.
vide that, in the Counties where the fees of
the Clerks do not amount to six hundred
dollars, the balance Of that sun shall be
paid 70 them from the County treasury
The I'd section provides that in all cases
where the fees of said clerks shall respec-
lively amount to a greater sum than six hun
dred dollars per annum, such fees shall be
held and retained by said Clerks, as provided
in the act regulating the fees of Clerks of
the Courts OF Common Pleas, passed May l,
1852, and the supplementary acts thereto.
1t will be seen that this leaves The Clerks
whose fees amount to more than this sum
just as hey were before.
In the Senate, yesterday afternoon, u very
interesting debate arose on the bill to pro-
vide for the payment Of postage on public
documents. Mr.. Toilet and Mr.. Jewett
argued at length, and commended that the
constitutional clause in relation to postage
did not apply to this subject. This would
DC no ''PerquiSite'' to the members. 1t would
be simply a matter for the benefit of the
people. The clause in the Constitution on
this subject is as follows:
CART. 2, See. 81. The members and Off
GERS Of the General Assembly shall receive
a fixed compensation, to be prescribed by
law, and no allowance or perquisites, either
" the payment of postage or otherwise, and
no change in their compensation shall take
effect during their term Of office"
Mr.. McCauslin, MIR. Atkinson, &c, on the
other side. commended that the Legislature,
in fixing the per diem Of members at four
dollars per day, did this expressly on the
ground that they would be compelled to pay
the postage on letters, documents, &c, from
their own pockets. Mr.. Atkinson said that
no bill for four dollars per day could have
passed the Legislature if it had been suppos-
ed that members could get rid of this ex-
pense of postage. Again, the restriction
which this payment Of postage by members
has upon the printing of a large number Of
documents, was an important consideration,
and had much force in fixing this subject
The last Legislature unanimously agreed
that 1T was not proper to tax government
with this postage. We have q distinct re-
collection that these views were advanced
at the time the per diem Of members was
fixed, but we are not certain that that fact
has anything to do with the constitutional
question.
Without finishing the debate, the commit,
tee rose, and then a novel scene transpired.
The President and officers of the Ladies
State Temperance Society presented them
selves, and by permission Of the Senate the
President, Mrs, Corner, read the memorial
of the Convention in behalf of the temper
ance cause. II asked the enactment of some
stringent law by which the great evils of
intemperance, which falls with such pecu-
liar force upon the women of the State may
be alleviated, and as far as possible remoy-
ed. Mrs. Corner performed her part with
dignity, and, in a handsome manner, thank
ed the Senate for their kindness. The me-
mortal was received and ordered to be print
ed.
HoUsE.-The Senate resolution, asking
Congress to donate the balance of the pub
lie lands within our boundary to this State,
was passed. Antamendment to the Home
stead bill was introduced by Mr.. Baker. 1t
exempts $500 of personally from execu-
ton.
The House, after farther debate, indef-
nitely postponed the bill to fix the time for
closing the polls at 4 O'Clock, instead Of 6
p. M. We have no doubt this change is de-
sired by four-ffths Of the people.
SENATE, Friday-Mr. Smith proposed to
change the National Road to a State
Road, to be kept in repair as other
State roads are repaired, He showed that
the expense of that road for the past year
had been over one III usaad dollars more than
the receipts. When any of the public
works find themselves in this condition, he
thought it was best to give them up, and
not tax the State Treasury with their main
tenance. The resolution was appropriate
ly referred.
=
Mr.. Atkinson reported n resolution con-
corning the public lands. 1t looks TO a
sale of the public lands to actual settles, at
prices that will only cover the actual cost
to government. 1t also proposes to prohibit
the sale of the lands to spectators and nom
residents. This resolution was ordered to
be printed. If these objects can be obtain
ed by any feasible plan, we should be glad
to see it.
The postage bill was again taken up in
Committee, and Mr.. Pehdleton addressed
the Senate at length in opposition to it,
He referred to the debates III the Constitu-
tionnl Convention, and argued from the re-
marks there contained, that the trainers of
the Constitution intended to exclude the
payment OF postage on public documents as
well as upon the private postage of mem
bers.
MIR. Sherman replied to Mr.. Pendleton,
4 also examined the constitutional debates.
He made a strong argument, and spoke with
much animation and force. The debate
will probably be continued for some time, as
it Is really of mnch practical importance mot
only to the members but to the State,
In the House, after the usual morning bu-
stness, the Committee Of the Whole debat-
cd a bill to pay Judge Holt his claim for
damages to his lands at the Mercer Reser-
yoir. The discussion was continued till
nearly the hour of recess. After the Com.
mittee rose, the delegation from the Ladies'
State Temperance Convention presented
their memorial to the House,. II was the
same document that was, last evening, pre-
sented to the Senate, on the subject ITEM
Perance. The ceremony was performed in
a very handsome style, by Mrs. Hodge, OF
Oberlin.-Ohio State Journal.
WooL.--There has been an active de-
mand for fleece Wool during tho past week
and the sales will exceed 90, 900 lbs. Pull.
ed Wool sells in moderate quantities at quot
ed rates. The quantity OF pulled Wool to
be taken of this season will probably be less
than one hnlf ne much "a last war QOn