M'arthur Democrat. (McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1853-1865, 1857-01-15
Correspondence Of the Democrat
FROM COLUMBUS.

from NdtaralisiHg FOreigHers-FestiUaLS
Of the 9Th ind sti, DC.
COLUMBUS, o., Jan. 9th, 1857.
Messrs. Editors; - Writing newspaper
articles or correspondence, ever has been
and is quite foreign to my customary pur-
suits; but, thinking your readers might feel
an interest in a relation Of some Of the in
cidents occurring at the State Capital during
the past few days, I subjoin for your dispo-
sal few rough paragraphs.
Both branches of the Legislature conven-
ed at their respective Halls in the New
State House, on Monday the 9th inst.
In the House, Mr. Bruyton announced
the death of his colleague, Hon. Leverett
Johnson, of CuyahOga, and offered the Gus
tomary resolutions, whereupon the House,
after giving the Hall in care of the Com
mittee having charge of the State House
Festival, adjourned until Wednesday at 8
O'Clock P. NJ
The Senate, without trsnsacting any bu-
siness of Importance, adjourned over until
Wednesday.
Wednesday was occupied by both Houses
in regulating and drawing theh seats
Thursday, no business of interest was tran
sacted beyond the report of the Smelling
Committee having charge of the estate
ditches," and other Public Works, being
made in the Senate and ordered 10 be print
ed 1t is said that these Smelling Com
mittecs have been profoundly engaged in
their peculiar occupation during almost the
entire recess of the Legislature, and that
the most important developement they now
have to make is the fact that they have
Smelled some ten thousand dollars out ofthe
Public Treasury and put in their own pock-
cts, in the way Of per diem and expenses.
1t is true that they profess to have discover
ed that some of the contracts for repairs Of
the public works were not let to the lowest
responsible bidder, but from this the impli.
cation of fraud does not necessarily follow,
But, if there be fraud in the lettings oI
these repairs, it is a matter beyond the prop
er control of the Legislature, and must be
the subject of investigation by the Courts,
which alone possess legitimate power to an
nul contracts, (even for fraud,) which are
made by the agents of the State, authorized
by statute to act in the premises. So that,
in any event, the time and money spent by
this Committee are utterly wasted. But
more of this when we shall have examined
the printed report.
Mr.. Monroe, yesterday, introduced q bill
to strike the word "white" from the Consti-
tuition, and numerous petitions are coming
in for the same thing, and for the repeal OIL
all laws making distinction on account o.
color, from Cheesedom and other abolition
| localities.
The bill prohibiting the State Courts from
nuturalizing foreigners, and nullilyng the
act of Congress upon that subject, which
passed the Senate last winter, it is thought
will pass the House from what was consid.
cred test vote on its reference to select
committee, on Wednesday.
The Festival on the evening Of the 9th
inst, upon the occasion of the opening o.
the New State House, was very brilliant
affair. 1t is estimated that ten thousanC
persons were inside the Capitol. Speaking
music, dancing, eating, etc, were the ordeI
of the evening.
The executive officers are now all located
in the New State House, with the except
ion Of the Librarian. The two Legislative
Halls are now completely finished and fur
nished, and exceed anything of the kind il
the Union. They will barely be exceeded
by the new Halls now in process of con
struction at Washington.
The annual Eighth of January Supper
passed off at the American with more thar
usual spirit and interest Gen. Mcdowell
Judge Thurman, Hons. S. S. Cox, Charlie:
Sweetzer and VIM. Lawrence were among
the speakers of the occasion. Highly pa
triotic letters were received and read from
Gen. Cass, John B. Weller, Jesse D. Bright
Col. Allen, Senator Pugh, and others. But
l find my communication already too exten'
ded. Should you deem this worthy of pub,
lication your readers may hear from me
again. Yours, &C.,
SPECTATOR.
~O~~-~~y~-~~N-~~~0O
U The Dallas and Clarendon