Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1859-03-17


ulir sovereignty by providing for the elec
tion by the people of the territory of their
own Governor, Judges, and Secretary, in
stead o: leaving, as in the bill, their appoint
ment to the federal executive. This was
defeated. yeas 10, nays 80. He then pro-
posed an amendment OF The boundary, so as
to have but one territory, named Nebraska.
instead of two entitled respectively Ne
braska and Kansas This was rejected,
yeas 8, nays 81. His opposition to the bill
was ended by final and earnest protest
against it on the night Of lis passage
While thus vgiIant in maintaining his prin-
cipes on the slavery question. Mr. Chase
was constant in the discharge of the geher
a! duties Of his position. To divorce the
federal Government from all connection with
slavery; to confne its action strictly with
in Constitutional limits; to uphold the rights
of individuals and Of the States; to foster
with equal cart all the great inI eres:s OF the
country, and to secure an economical ud
ministratioHs OF thesnafural finances, were
the general aims which he endeaver both
by his votes and his speeches, to Promote.
On the interests of the West be always
kept watchful eye, claiming that the fed
eral treasury should defray the expense of
providing for the safety of navigation On
our grea; inland seas, as well as on the At
lantic and Pacific coasts, and advocating
LIBERAL aid by the federal Government 10 the
construction of railroad To The Pac fc by
the best, shortest, and cheapest route. lie
was an earnest supporter OF the policy OF
the free homestead movement, in behalf OF
which be expressed his views during the
frs. session Of his term, on presenting
petition for granting the pubic lands. in
limited quantities, 10 actual Sc; lers not pos
sessed of other land. He was also an early
advocate Of cheap postage, and an unweari
ed opponent of extravasant appropriations.
In July, 1855, Mr.. Chase was nominated By
the opponents of the Nebraska bill and the
Pierce administration for Governor Of Ohio,
and was elected. His inaugural address,
delivered in 1856, recommended economy
in the administration Of public affairs single
districts for legislative representation, anuu-
al instead of biennial sessions of the lrgis-
lature, and ample provision for the educa-
tional interests of the State. His State
policy and Senatorial course were now SO
much approved that at the National Gun
vention of the Republican party, held the
same year, majority of the Ohio delega-
ton and many delegates from other States
| desired his nomination for the Presidency
I bat his name was at his request, Withdrawn.
His first annual message to the Ohio LegiS-
lature, in 1857. after reviewing the material
resources and the financial and educational
condition of the Stale, together with Its
| federal re lations, recommended bureau Of
statistics, which was accordingly establish
| ed. During the same year, deficit of over
$500 900 being discovered in the STATE
Treasury few days before the semi
al interest on the State debt became due,
the decided action OF Gov. Chase compelled
the resignation of the State Treasurer, who
had concealed Its existence, secured q
thorough investigation and through prompt
and judicious arrangement, protected the
credit of the Stats and averted large Pc
! cuniary lose. At the close OF his frs,
term. Gov Chase desired to retire from Of
fee, bet the Republicans insisted on his re-
nomination. which was made by acclama-
tion., After an active canvass the coBtinu.
ed con fdence Of the people in his admins.
tration was manifested by his reelection BY
the largest vote ever given for Governor
I in Ohio. In his annual message, in 1858
after submitting an elaborate exposition o.
,b snl
/ Ohio, recommended semi-annual taxation
more stringent provisions for the security o
the Treasury, and special attention TO the
State benevolent institutions. including the
reform school, 10 hich he had alwoys mcn
1 Tested deep interest. Fhe.o s.ssso-iio ns
met the appreciation of the legislature, ant
! laws were passed accordingly.