Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1860-01-18

siOns of the Legislature, it being coupled
with 4 condition for biennial elections, is
believed, to have prevented a fair express
sion of the opinion of the people upon the
question of the expediency OF annual ses-
sions.
Isubmit the question to your considera-
ton, respectfully recommending an amend
ment of the Constitution, providing for
limited annual sessions, and annual elec-
tions.
| invite your attention also to the sub
ject of the unequal representation in both
branches of the General Assembly, result
ing from tie system of single, dual and
plural election districts, provided by the
constitution, for the purpose of recommend
ing to your favorable consideration, an
amendment of the constitution, establishing
a uniform system of single election districts,
which should be based solely upon popula-
tiOn. Such plan of apportionment, seems
to me, to be alike required by logical re-
gard to the theory of our form of govern
ment, the security of the people at large
against the undue control of particular sec
tions of the State and for the just pro,lc-
tiOn of minors against the power of major
tiles in the more populOus counties.
The geographical position of our State
forever identities her destiny with that of
the gseat valley of the West. Whatever
may affect the growth or prosperity of this
highly favored region, must be of interest
to US. Among the objects which have long
attracted the anxious attention of the peo-
pie of the West, and which they Justly re-
gard as of paramount Importance to their
material progress, is the improvement of
the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, and our
Lake harbors.
invite your attention to this important
SUBJECT, for the purpose of respectfully re-
questing your earnest application to Con-
gress, to adopt such measures, and to make
such appropriations from the National
Treasury, as will be eommensuratcd to the
removal of the distractions to the naviga-
ton of these great highways, and to the
needed Improvement of these important de-
pots of western commerce.
When We consider the magnitude of the
regiOn directly interested in the navigation
of these rivers. and our western lakes. en-
bracing territorial extent of nearly 5OO,
600 square miles-a territorial superfcies
greater than the entire extent of the origi-
nal thirteen States, comprising eleven States
and two territories, and parts of three 9TH
er States, with a population of at least
thirteen millions, and but little less than
one half of the entire population of the
United States-we may well express our
at the unwise and illibcral pol
icy of Congress, so long and perseverinely
persisted in, of refusing the necessary aid
for disarming of its dangers the navigation
of these rivers, and for increasing the safe
ty of cur lake harbors.
And our sense Of this injustice is not a
little heightened. when We consider that
the people of the States directly interested
in these improvements. have paid largly to
the Federal Government for the soil which
theT oocupy and cultivate, and are now, by
their consumption of the foreign imports.
contributing quite if not fully One-half of
the annual revenues of the government,
while the national expenditures among them
are comparatively trihing We make no
because of the bountiful appropri-
ltions by COngrgss for surveys and defenoes
of the coast, for the improvement of har-
bOrs, the erection of lighthouses, and the
various other purposes, in aid of the navi-
cation and commerce of the ocean; but we
10 complain, that while cheerfully sustain
ng our full proportion of the expenditures
,or these purposes, for the benefit of one
branch of the national wealth and enter
prise. suitable portion of the national
treasure is not expended for the protection
If another branch-our western commerce
in tonnage the whole foreign
of the United States, It's character
,lually national, and its protection equally |
.ssential to the common advantage Of all |
he States. The time has arrived when |
he west will no longer consent that her /
ust demands upon the Federal Government /
or the protection Of her great interests
hall be disre garded. She is no longer a |
rontier, and will no longer be treated as
uch. She is the heart of the Union, the
entire of its population, its production and /
IS consumption. From the great living
ountains of her boundless resources, the
lation is enriched and sustained, and upon
hem its prosperity and power must always
lsnAx- 1o,,o.,1 flo,,r-,D., e.
ection of the country its legitimate weight
n the administration of the Government,
he West viii be resolute in the assertion
{ her rights. Conscious of her great pol
teal power. which will install her in the
ontrol of the Government after the coming
ational census, she will demand the in
uguratiOn of that broad, generous national
Olicy for guarding and promoting the en-
erprise and industry of the country which,
Thilc comforting its inestimable benefits up
n the people of all the other States, will
ecure to the agricultural and commercial
interests that development and those un-
bstructcd and untaxed outlets to the mar
cts of the world which their necessities
require. their value will abun-
antly compensate. and the dignity of the
Vest demands shall be 10 longer pOstpon-
i.
Briefly. but in an especial manner. do
eguard it is my duty, to urge you to invite
nc immediate attention Of Congress to the
nportance of its granting prompt and lib
raj aid for improving and securing the
ractical freedom of the navigation at the
alls of the Ohio river.
The necessity of some more extended and
nmplete work than the Louisville and Port
md Canal, as now constructed, to cheaper {
nd facilitate the conveyance of property
round the Falls, is recognized by every {
erson familiar with the navigation and
.ade Of the Ohio River. Owing to the in
Of the construction of that work,
nd the contracted size of its locks, it is
stimated that more than one-half Of all
ne tonnage of the Ohio and Mississippi
vers is prevented from passing through
le canal The practical effect is to des-
10y the unity of the Ohio River as great
nannel of cOmmerce, by dividing it at the
'alls, and 50 making the portion above a
tributary to the portion below them The