The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1860-02-01

surnclent mischief done in less time. Be eco
nomical' gentlemen. Quit and go home.
The Cleveland Leader saws: s77
PUTTING OUT THE LIGHTS
We regret to see that the maioritv in the
Ohio Senate have joined the Dark Lantern
party, judging from their votes. They have
signalized the first month of the session bv
voting 10 suspend the school Library law for
two years, and to repeal the law authorizing
the publication of their own acts in the ne ws.
papers of the State And it is said the eco
nomical Soions are already planRing in eau
Gus an adjourned session.
The Buckeye State (Republican says
Laws are passed for the
general good and for the government of com
munity, and the idea of sending legislators to
pass such enactment, and refuse to distribute
them among the people, is simply absurd -
The people at the same time are expected 10
obey heu-withont knowing that such laws
were ever dreamt of-or suffer the penalties
Of disobedieneei As it is proposed to repeal
this law solely on account of expense. of
course no other plan of distribution can be
consistently suggested or thought Of
We do not know that any expression of the
people, has been forwsrded to the Legislature
in reference to the publication of the laws in
the county newspapers. Our opinion is that
a large majority of them would oppose the
repeal of the law.
The price paid for their publication is far
below the standard of all other kinds of ad-
vertisiug, bat if the people do not desire their
distribution. let the law be repealed, and the
sooner the better
We supposed that the publication of the
laws was intended for the benefit of the citi.
zeus of the State, and not for the profit of
county papers and so far as we are concern
ed, We would rather do without this or any
other job. than to take it with the understand
ing that we mad been blessed with some eE
trGordinary fauor! 90
One thing We have taken especial note of,
that in all matters OF retrenehment, the printer
is the very first chap pitched into, as if there
was some general and anxious fear abroad in
the land, that he is getting rich little to
fast! The very first information that we had
of the organization of the Legislature, was
flaming letter which appeared in the Cleveland
Leader, stating what great things some men,
Der was going to bring about on retrench-
ment, AID giving as the only evidence of the
fact, that bill would soon be introduced re-
pealing the enactment authorizing the publ
cation of the laws Printers are looked up
on as the mere stepping stones to politicians.
After the election, smiles are turned to frowns,
and it is high time that the conductors of the
press should assert their self-respeet. We
have not yet seen word in any of the letters
written from Columbus, of the intention of q
single member to move decrease of their
own pay-not word not word
The .4mericdn Union. (Steubenville) says !:
1t seems than gentleman by the name of
Ready of Tuscarawas county, and Mr. Hill, of
Medina, have conceived an idea since theY
have been elected 10 the Legislature-more
than they were ever suspected of before at
home. They propose to repeal the law of
last winter to publish portion of the laws of
each Legislature in county newspapers. They
are both genuine demagogues-for none but
such ever advocate measure which is regard
ed by all sensible men as ''penny wise and
pound foolish We have but little to say at
present on this matter of economy on printers,
but if economy is to be the order of the day
by Republican officials, after they get into
office, all he have to say is, that some of them
had better "be watching and praying" 1t is
game that two can play at. If economy is
their object, let them reduce their own ssla
ries The people shall have an insight into
the actual state OF affairs. A word to the
wise" will probably he sufficient at present.
Mr.. Ready, the author of this Bill, is gen
tleman who possesses fine legal ability as
lawyer, wears patent leather boots in muddy
weather and cheap shirts, His avoirdupois
weight is about one hundred pounds, and
judging from his weight we would naturally
suppose his brain was nearly the same =
Euongh of Ready. In regard to Hill We
would advise a change of linen. This may
improve him.
The Painesville Telegraph ssys:z "a
The Senate of the State Legislature has re-
pealed the Law requiring the publication ofI
the Laws in the County Newspaper. those
that circulate among the people. There lived
in old times ruler named GaIigula. who is
said to have been very bad one, because all
Of his laws he placed so high up on, pillars
that the people could not read them, and yet
he punished them fer all violations of his
laws. The Senate, it seems, is disposed to-
keep away from the people the doings of the
Legislature until some months have passed |
away, and then they must purchase volume !;
Of them or go in ignorance of the transactions
Of their servants. If the people have the
Laws placed before them at the cheap rate
that they are so placed by the Dewspapers of
'he country, and they do not read them. it is
heir own fault.
Retrenchment is the watchword with the
present Legislature, and we hope that it will
Tot prove an empty sound. We 20 iu most
heartily for curtailing the expenses. let it come
when it will. We trust also, that in its anx
GUS endeavors to carry out this purpose, that
he Legislature in its inquiries may reach the
natter of four dollars per day and it that sum
hould seem to be q little lavish for plain
people TO pay their servants, that that will be
mt down, also. If any member should alb
ent himself enc or two or three days, that his
'ay should be cut off Let that also be seen
o.
The session should be short, and there
hould be no adjourned one. A proposition is
ow before the Legislature to make still fur :
her appropriations for carrying on the work J
n the State House. The people have been
retty well "sweetened" in the matter of this p
xtravagaDt building. The farther outlay for
he completion of the State House should be
by economy
This question Of Retrsnchment is an exten. :
i've oue-it leads in every direction. and to ali :
latters We trust that thorough work may
e made of it.