True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1857-06-03


had not single room ready for occupa.
ton. They asked Of the Legislature
over $500 10000 to finish the structure
They asked "S7o, ,6g7, 70" for building
"outside fence" around State House, -
They asked $73, 10000 for grading Of
grounds. This demand was signed by
Edwin Smith, the immaculate President
Of the Board: See Executive Documents
for '56, page 152,, vol. LIST. Republicans
have nearly graded the grounds, and will
finish the job for 100000, the entire
expense Of the same. thus saving the
State $6S,600. The Republican Con-
missioners have let the building Of the
outside fence at less than $50, 0,000, 90,
thus saving the Stale on this item over
$53, 500, 100.
18th. On the 2slh Of March, 1856, the
Senate by resolution called upon the
State House Commissioners for an esti-
mate for doing certain work on the
State House. E. L. Stickney. "Super-
intendant of New State House," replied
that it would cost 1924, $4,000: See Ex-
ecutive Documents, part 2, p, 4s4. The
Legislature ousted Mr.. Stickney and his
associates and put in their places Repub.
licans, who with $70,0O0,OO did more
work than the Locofoco Board proposed
to do with 1924, $4,000, (Sce last Annu-
al Report Of State Heuse Commissioned
thus saving 10 the State 154,s49 dollars.
Two thirds Of the rooms in the State
House are now finished, furnished and
occupied.
Now if the foregoing facts, drawn from
public documents, do not satisfy the peo-
pie that a Republican Legislature both re-
formed abuses and retrenched expendi-
lures, then shall / be mistaken.
10Th. The Legislature changed the law
of descent so as to secure to married
women, certain property rights not be-
fore enjoyed.
18th. Many important provisions +
the code were so changed as 10 co0form 10
the requirements Of the Judiciary system.
18th. Five bills carefully prepared and
thoroughly considered, submitting to the
people radical amendments 10 the consti.
tuition, were passed. Necessarily much
time was spent on these proposed amend
menis.
10Th. A Locofoco Legislature had tax
ed the people of Ohio not only on what
they owned; but on what they owed
This and many other features Of the tax
law were changed SO as 10 do justice.
goth. More banking capital was re-
quired and bill passed of great length,
amply securing the bill holder, and pro.
viding that it sho'd be taxed as other
property is or may be.
2lst. The Republican party agreed to
retrench the expenditures Of the State.-
This pledge is faithfully redeemed. Ma
king saving of nearly 100000 dollars a
year from the expenditures Of the locofo.
CO party for the same period.
22d. We promised 10 lessen the taxes.
Then we did not know that we should
have to pay a debt of Locofoco creating,
of $6l7 ,373 .65-then We did not know
that we should have N provide for Bres-
Inns deficit the sum Of $2l2,036. 57-
then we did not know that we shonld
be swindled in the canal lettings out OF
1921 .OO0, 90; and finally we did not un-
derstand that on the public buildings we
were TO be bled to the tune of $279, 1888,
II. These sums which we had supposed
were just so much beyond even the finan-
cial ability of our opponents, amount to
l,42s, 1880. This sum, so gigantic
in its proportions, we have paid, and pro,
vided for without increasing the levy
On the contrary. for general revenue pur-
poses we have decreased the levy three
tenths of one mill. | regard these facts
as evidences Of reform, economy and re-
trenchment, and | believe a candid, fair
minded public will SO regard them.
23d. The Legislature wisely fixed a
limit to the power Of local officers to i'm
pose taxes, thereby saving the tax-pay.
ers several hundred thousand dollars.
might extend this article 10 a much
greater length, but it has already exceed
ed my original purpose. l am aware
that many measures have not been pre-
sented which are worthy Of consideration
This view, brief as it is, will. trust
give you some idea Of the herculean tasl
imposed upon the Legislature, and thu
manner in which it acquitted itself.
The editor Of the Ohio State Journal
who has, for reasons satisfactory 10 him
self doubt not, occupied a position o
hostility to the Republican majority, con
cedes that they were sober, well behave,
men, and spent little or no time improper
ly. l call your attention TO the acts al
luded to in this articles, and the meas
nres adopted, and if you pronounce tn
same as unworthy Republican Legisla
ture, / shall be content. I might find i
the circumstances that surround me, a
apology for a. few observations persons
10 myself. In the scenes at which hav
glanced, have been an active, if an hun
BILE. participated was one Of the com
mittee Of the Legislature charged wit
the duty Of dragging to light the giganti
frauds perpetrated in the management
erection and furnishing of the publ
buildings of this State. am perlectl
oblivious to either The praise or censur
of the vena press Of the slave democr;
cy. The former has no charms and Ii
latter no terror for me, and the one is jui
as acceptable as the other. am not ;
Indifferent to the course Of the Republ
{ can press, for l believe the editors meal
: at least, to do right. When that pre-
4 writes me down 'repudiator," regal
: the charge as meaning more, than wht