Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1858-04-08
Remarks of Mr.. Worthington o
Jefferson County.
On the Bill of The Removal of the Seat Of Jl


On the Bill of the Remoua! of the Seat Of JUS
tice Of Belmont County. March a, 1885,.
Mr.. SPEAKIR:-I ask the indulgence of
the House, for a few remarks on the bill now
under consideration, and about to be put on
its final passage.
am prompted to this alone from the deep
interest | feel on the subject. The bill pro-
poses to submit the question of removal OF
the county seat of Belmont from its present
long established location m ST. Clairsvil:e,
to the people of that county; and the point
proposed for its establishment is the village
Vi Bellair, politely called the Cityof BE lair.
am sat ST d, sir. that the passage Of
such a bill cannot fail 10 scatter broadcast
among the inhabitants Of that county, tine
seeds OF strife, contention, and deep rooted
enmity.
The inhabitants Of Belmont county sus-
tain the reputation of honorable. digniied,
and ~peaceable citizens, generous among
themselves, and, without exception, so far
as my knowledge extends. united on all mat
tiers Of a local character. IL is true, they
enter upon their political campaigns with
spirit, frmness and r~esolu,e determination,
and fight their battles manfuliy. Yet, when
snce fought, peace. good will and harmony
is restored, no feeling Of malevolence or
hatred is left 10 indicate the battle field.
Knowing this TO be the fact, and this the
character Of the citizens of Belmont county,
We as Legislators sworn to discharge the
duty of that office with fidelity, should be
slow 10 cast our votes in any way which will
inevitably interrupt the harmony and coz
cord which exists among the inhab tants Of
that County.
This, however Important it may be, wou'd
De a matter OF small importance, if it Was
established beyond a DOUBT that there exist
ed a real necessity Tor a removal Of the seat
OF justice in that county from its location.
If 1t should appear that from the present
location ofthe county seat, q majority of the
citizens iabored under a disadvantage, and
that their interests were materially affected
thereby, then. sir. we should be free to act
in the matter. irrespective of the personal ill
terests OF a few, even though it sheuid SOW
the seeds o. discord, and engender Str life
among the people of that county; for then
We would be acting upon the solid founda-
ton OF justice and equity. But, sir, bare ex-
pertinent will not do 10 hazard such an i'm
purtant step, as the removal of a county
seat long established, to the entire s~atisfac-
ton OF all parties.
What 49, ,I,o ,b.t ,,,tI,,,1
tify such an important step as the removal
OF a County seat! 1t should not be that
because a few labor under a disadvantage,
nor because d few are dissatisfied and dis
posed to be FESTIVE, nor because a certain
class desire to legislate money into their
own pockets at the expense OF impoverish-
ing their neIghbors. No sir, this will not
do-these reasons are not sufficient.
But the fact should be clearly established,
that the majority o The citizens of the cuuD-
ty labor under disadvantage; that the ma
jurity desire removal, and that the point to
which removal is proposed will relieve them
of that disadvantage and promote the r gen.
eral interest and welfare. This in my opin-
ion would be sufficient to justify this legisla-
tive body in taking action upon such an i'm
purtant matter.
Is III the fact in Belmont County, Will
the majority of the citizens of that county
be benefited and their general interests
and welfare promoted, ard do the majority
ask tor removal! On these points ! desire
To make some inquiry.
st. ClairsviIle, the present County seat of
Belmont, is the Oldest county seat in East
ern Ohio, having been established over fifty
years ago. 1t is located at a healthy and
fertile point, easy of access from almost all
parts of the county. A national turnpike
in good condition running directly through
its centre. Intersected by numerous road,
from all parts of the county, affording the
very best fac ilities for travel. Within seven
Fights of a mile of the centre of population,
and within five and one-thi.d miles of the
geographical centre. This you may readily
ascertain by reference to the map of The
county. Wh,re, then exists the necessity
f.r a removali
Remove it to Bellaire as proposed, and it
will be on the extreme Eastern corner o.;
the county, out Of the centre of the pupula.
ton, and out of the Geographical centre.
Where then is the convenience! Where the
advantage! and how are the masses OF The
people TO be benefited by such removal! In
what way are you 30 View This subject, to
arrive at the conclusion that the general
interests and welfare of the people will be
nr,nAtaH1 E,,,p {, al "a pLa and tho ,nhi,--nJ
Judgment of any man certainly will teach
him, with this array OF facts before him,
that their convenience will not be in creased,
nor viii! their general interests and welfare
be promoted by such removal.
But let US further inquire, Who are asking
for this removal to Bellair! Nineteen hun
dred and fifty petitioners, who reside princi-
pally in the five South eastern townships OF
the county, are the men who ask this change.
This is the number, and this principally is
the location of the individuals who desire a
remova OF the County Seat to Belluir.
Again, suppose you add to this number
the Belmont petitioners, whose first choice
is not Be laire, you only have twenty.six
hundred and sesenty-one in all. On the
other hand ask, who are opposed tie the re-
moval to Beliair, Twenty-nine hundred and
tSenty-t3o remonslrants, as | am credilabiy
informed, oppose this measure.
Suppose you add to this the Belmont petit
TONERS, seven hundred and sixty-one, you
have opposed to The removal to BelIair
thirty-six hundred and eighty three remon-
strants. Nov take the data giSen by the re-
port, and there were 6,052 yo;ers in 1856,
showing "a clear majority Of her people
against the removal oil 1914 votes. Do
these facts InstIEu tho rnncInSi nn Ill