Meigs County telegraph. [volume] (Pomeroy [Ohio]) 1848-1859, 1859-03-15
Cincinnati Police Bill.

We see by the papers, that this "b,ll Of
abomlnation," which DISTINGUISHES the
people of Cincinnati for the most unb,ush
ing partizan purposes, has passed both
houses of the Legislature, and so far as
that body eau legalize a great wrong, it is
now Il law. We cut from the "Ohio
Statesr' n" the following brief report of
the speech Of our Representative on the
bill while under discussion in the House.
Mr.. Plants said it was not his intention
to detain the House by any extended re-
marks, but felt it due TO himself, in very
few words to give his reasons for support
ing the amendment.
He said it was not to be denied that
there was feeling Of distrust of the peo-
pie by those in power, which is gradually
throwing off the disguise with which that
feeling has heretofore been partially con-
cealed. This feeling is manitesting itself
in every department of the government.
1t is seen in the persistent effort to exalt
the executive over The Legislative depart
ment ofthe nation. It Is seen in the effort
to initiate the despotisms of Europe, by
placing in the hands of the President the
irresponsible power OF making war, and
buldening the people with intolerable pub
lie debts without their consent. 1t is
clearly manifest in the arbitrary appoint
ment of officers over the people of the
Territories whom the people do not want,
and because they do not want them. Itis
apparent in the usurpation of federal
Judges, making our State Constitution, and
Jaws passed in pursuance thereof, subject
to their mere partizan prejudices, regard
less of the sovereignty OF the States or the
interest or will OF the people.
Unhappily, Mr. Speaker, there is dis
position too prevalent among partizans to
acquiesce in these 'usurpations in the hope
of reaping a present partizan advantage
theretrom. But if gentlemen would look
ut history in the light Of philosophy teach
ing by examples. it seemed to him they
would hesitate, fol they, could not fail to
see that in the end, even those whose ac
quiesence and Endorsement make these
usurpations possible, must, in the destruc-
ton of the common liberties, themselves
become the 81 bj cts OF the very despotism
they have inausulated.
Mr. Plants said, without impreaching
the motives ofany gentleman on this floor,
he could not view the bill in any other
light than an attempt to disfranclise the
people of Cincnuati for five years. by APP
pointing over them an irresponsible board
whom they do not want, and because they
do not a0ant them. This is evident. For
if it was believed for moment that the
people desired the gentlemen designated in
the bill to be their rulers, the majorityEin
this House wou'd permit the people to elect
them, according to the theory and genius
OF our government. Ii is doing no injus-
tice TO the gentlemen of the majority here
to say what is patent to the world; that is,
because the people of Cincinnati do not
want these gentlemen to rule them as this
bill provides, that they are to be forced
upon them against their will, and IN the
face Of their indignant protest.
Mr.. Plants said that, believing this sys-
TEN of governing people against their
will, by appointing over them men in whom
The pruple have no confidence, as reward
for partIzan services, To be radically wrong
and striking at the very foundation Of all
fee governments, he should support the
present amendment. and il it failed, as of
.onrse il would, he should vote against the