The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1858-02-25
From an Occasional Correspondent.
COLUMBUS, Feb. IL. 1858.

OOLUMbUS, cCu IL, lOoO
EDrroR JouRNAL;-Duriug the last campaign,
many aud loud were the promises made that should
the democracy succeed in btaining working ma
jorty in each branch OF the legislature the busi-
ness of the state should be speedily transacted
that We should once at least, have short session,
limited by the most hopeful to thirty days but in
no case to exceed sixty Well, a working major
ity was obtaiued-the Legislature met-forty-two
days of that promised short session have passed,
aud yet not single bill of any general practical
Importance to the people of Ohio has been enact
ed. Why it is so am unable 10 say; evidently
not on account of the factous conduct and delays
of the minority, for find one member of the ma
iority in each house who, on all occasions, when
discussion with the minority is to be avoided, is
specially detailed to move the previous question,
thus cutting Off all debate, all delay and forcing
the house to an immediate and direct vote on the
question before it, The trouble is that most Of the
members composing the majority are men Of small
calibre and cannot trust themselves to vote on any
question until it has passed the ordeal of a cau-
cus they regulate their consciences and their votes
by its decrccs am happy to say there are a few
who cannot thus be led; men who think speak,
and vote according to the dictates Of their own
conscences-the natural instincts of their own
hearts--regardless Of party dictates and party
trammels. Certain it is, however, that the session
now bids fair to last four months instead of one as
we had fondy anticipated for the good of the state,
would have been the case.
Among the leading men of the majority find
our own SENATOR Mr.. WeStcott. He makes an
active aud interchangeable member and commands
universal respect, Of the member from Wood.
Dr.. Peck, it is hardly necessary to speak He is
too well known to need any concentrations from
any source; always in his pace-active, industri-
GUS, and wde-awake to all the interests of his cou-
stituentS-Wood county can ask no better repre-
sentative. May he go on prospering and to prosper
unto higher honors. He has lately introduced
much needed bill for the relief of the holders Of
the orders of Free Turnpike Road Companies II
provides an ample remedy to the holder OF all Or
ders issued in good faith aud for which work was
actually performed beneficial to the owners Of
lands ADJACENT to the line Of road, and makes the
party issuing orders improperly or fraudulent
~ personally liable therefor. 1t is but fair that
all orders issued for work actually done on these
roads should be paid 10y those who were thereby
benefited aud it is but just that those who have
given currency and circulation to orders issued for
their own benefit, and for which work was done,
should be compelled TO father their own offspring.
The law will MOI apply except i'll cases where the
right of taxation in favor OF the company has eX-
pired leaving orders unpaid
The most important blsincSSin which the hous2
has been engaged for the past week has been the
expulsion OF the reporter OF the Cincinnati Com
'nerCid for wllttully mlsrepreSentlng speech OF
the member from Auglaizc (NIr. Anlrews.) Some
of the Republicans tried to obtain recousidera-
tion of the vote by which the reporter was expel
led on the ground that there was no ,uillful mis-
representation, but all discussion of the motion
was cut off by demand of the previous question
1t is very doubtful whether the remarks of Mr.
Andrews were misrepresented, many members from
both sides OF the house holding that they MOI
| The truth is that the reporter held up Mr.. An.
drews in rather ludicrouS point of view, aud the
Ss-ocatas OF that worthy member feeling them
selves aggreved by such gross contempt Of their
would-be leader (God save the mark) took sum
mary vengeance on the offender
The bill restricting the length Of SENS makes
but slow progress. Remonstrances against it are
pouring in from all quarters. don't think 1t can
pass.
A bill was yesterday introduced to restore the
canal contracts said to have been suspended by
the last legislature. 1t authorizes the discontinu-
ance of all pending suits and also authorizes the
Attorney General, on behalf of the state, to COM
mence proceedings to avoid all contracts in the ob
tanning of which legal fraud existed that is, such
fraud as would vtiate them in alega point of view.
This bill will pass the houSe--its passage in the
senate is very doubtful.
4 A bill has also been introduced by Mr.. son
to change our judicial district. The proposed
change, so far it affects Wood county, is to
make the counties of Wood, Putnam Hancock,
: and Wyandott, one subdivision instead of as at
present constituted. An amendment will be Offer
ed to this bill so as to make Wood, Hancock, and
} Wyandott one division. If a change must be
made, the last proposition is by far the best
4 bill has been introduced to amend an act
for the protec ion of fish," passed last winter The
proposed amendment would cut off the right OF
fishing with seins nets in the MaumGe River be-
tween the first of March and the first of June of
each year. 1t has been referred to a select COM
mittee Of whom our representative is one He Of
course will see that the amendment does not pass
at least in its present form.
Mr.. Backus the member elect of the Board of
Public Works, filed his official bond to-day and
will enter on the performance of the duties of his
office on next Tuesday. An effort viii be made TO
change the law making the oldest member of the
Board its president by striking out tho word " old
est and inserting youngest to snit the present
; emergency. an Informed that Mr. Backus does
not favor the project and it is very certain that it
cannot be carried. A proposition is also being az
iated TO take from the Governor the appointing
power in all cases where the same is not given him
) by the constitution of the state, and confer it on
partizan committee OF the senate. | think too
many OF the members fear the reaction which such
a step would produce too much to give il any aid
or comfort" At present the caucus does not seem
to have agreed on any settled line of policy
Should anything of importance occur in the course
OF the nextfew days, you may hear from me again,
h Nj.
The MEpDLER is a nneddler in al