Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1858-04-08

lie buildings at their own expense.
Mr.. WORTHINGTON-Why not state
the proposition in the bill!
! Mr.. AMBLER-I stated tina, the COM
mirtee thought it improper so to do.
Mr.. WORTHING rON-Wil the gen.
tleman state the reason why it was consid-
cred improper,
Mr.. AMBLER-The chairman of the
Committee is here and can explain for him.
self. | feel no disposition to argue the point.
Mr.. WORTHINGTON-For good rea-
sons doubtless, Mr.. Speaker, the gentleman
when speaking Of the loss of the public
Blu ildings referred TO by the remohstrant.,
and the expense of erecting new ones. sal d
that it was a gull trap to the people. II looks
to me, and doubtless to many others on this
floor, as though a bare promise of interested
persons to erect sufficient public buildings
at their OWN expense, refusing to embody in
the bill such proposition, is a gull trap with
a vengeance. for one, am not DISPOSED to
be caught by such bait as this. Why not
state this in the bill as a distinct propositiont
1t is important, sir, to know the reason, If
eny exist. We should advance step by step
in this important matter. The gentleman
from Columbiana is disposed to r:dicule the
remonstranc es offered here by saying that
the names of women and negroes were on
them, and he also stated that he had an
affidavit in his possession. but on what par
%ticular subject the gentleman did not state;
it NAV have been one :estlfying againststhe
honesty Of John G. Breslin, for aught | know.
As to the names of the remonstrants, !
cannot vouch for. All these women have a
legal right TO petition. As to the negro part
l cannot aft m or deny, yet ! have not the
lie 4st doubt tutthat the remons,rsn,s will
compare weIlwith the other petitioners in
every respect. There is something strange
in his whole affair of removal. 1t was not
C reful!y and properly considered by the
citizens OF Belmont county generally.
1t was sprung on them Unexpectedly, and
false IN were made. Many il. the
Southeastern Townships were made to
believe that the county seat must and would
certainly be removed, and if located in Bel
air it would make that village like the
tabled Phoenix, at once spring up a mighty
city, making every acre of land from the
mouth of the renowned Mcmahon to bold
Pipe Creek worth a mint of money to the
owners. But a more calm reflection has
shown how erroneous was this view of the
case, and many who signed these petitions
would be glad that their names we're their
own again.
The leading persons in this effort to re.
move the County seat do not claim, they
dare not claim that a majority of the inhabi-
tants of the county are in favor of it; but
they simply express a wish to know how
many desire it. Neither do they claim that
the general interests of the people will be
better subserved, but they DO claim that il
the removal Of the county seat Is effected
there is a chance of Bellair becoming a
famous city. What, sir, is this all the hope
left for it, Must it continue as it now is in
insignificance without this special favor
being conferred on it at the expense ard.
sacrifice of the convenience and interests OF
a large majority of the citizens of the coun-
ty! If this is 50, then In the name Of Justice,
reason and humanity, let it continue to
dwind!e, il it is possible for it so, to do,
What is this great city 0: Beilairl A bubble
a paper puff, possessing but very few natural
facilities, grown to what il is simply by
being the terminus of the Central Ohio
Railroad, and even that effected by an undue
and unwarranted influence, false induce
ments held out which have Influenced men
to invest their capital the re to their own
ruin. After all this, to cap the climax OF
all that is unreasonable, it is ash ed that the
county seat shall be removed there as a new
gulItrap-
will not take upon myself the RESPONSE
bilty of saying that the prime movers in
this whole affair are governed entirely BY
Sc fish motives and secular interests. | will
not say that their sole desire is to iegislate
money into their w pockets at the expense
of their neighbors; | will not say that they
are disposed to rob their brethren, in the
face OF all that is just and honorable; but |
will take the liberty to say that in view of
all the facts presented, it looks exceedingly
like it.
j understand that certain men have bought
land adjoining the famous city Of Bellair, at
a high price, and the speculation is likely to
be "Over the left;'' and now by stratagem
and a forced march, they wish to bring the
county seat to their relief. This kind of
maneuvering and humbugging is cute in
indeed. 1t even exceeds Barnum himself.
| ask members on this floor in whose
hands rests .he power 10 stay this course of
injustice, to prevent this scattering of the
%ruinous seeds of discord, envy and strife,
among the inhabitants OF Belmont county.
|: you are not disposed to do it, are you not
disposed to save that county, for the present
at Ieast, from a storm of trouble, ~vexation
and expense! If it must come it will; but let
US as members Of this legislative body, who
around that desk took upon ourselves a sol
emu oath, faithfully and impart tally 10 dis
charge the duties e~nJuined upon us by virtue
of our office, not be led into error By pre-
conceived opinions and Representations,
but let us candidly and deliberately weigh
the facts as they really exist. Where is the
necessity at this time of causing all the
trouble, We xation und expense that will fall
upon the others of Belmont county should
this bill pass! Dues any such necessity
exist! There is none. | repeat 1t, sir there
is Hone.