Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1860-01-20

ONO LEGISLATURE,-A large number of
bills. pertaining to a great variety Of subject.
have been introduced in both branches, but We
ry few Of which have as yet been definitely act
ed upon by the House in which they originated,
while none have passed both branches.
Among the bills recently introduced, in the
House. is enc 10y Mr.. Burr, to fix the salary Of
Judges Of the Supreme Court at ST. 00 per an
mum.
In the Senate, by Mr.. Jones, a bill to TO reg
ulatc and limit the compensation of County Au-
ditors. This bill provides
That the fees, costs. or other perquisites re-
ccived by Auditors, shall be paid into the coun-
ty treasury.
They shall report to the County Commission
FRS quarterly, a sworn statement of such costs,
fees, sc.
The Commissioners shall regulate the num-
Der, and term of service, and fix the compensa-
tion of all deputies and other assistants to be
employed, which compensation shall be paid on
the allowance of the commissioners.
Auditors shall hereafter receive compensation
as follows: Counties having Lv the last enume
ration of white male inhabitants over the age
of q years, no more than 400 such inhabi-
itants. the auditor shall receive $500. In coun-
ties of moro than 2,400 the auditors shall re-
ceivs the like sums respectively. and in add
ton thereto. the sum of S25 for each addition
nj ECO such inhabitants above the 400, to be
paid out of the county treasury. Provided
that nc auditor shall receive more shan Sd, 000.
The Senate has, by a vote Of % to s, ordered
to be engrossed Il bill to repeal the act providing
for the publication Of the laws of a general ma
ture in the newspapers. Personally, we care
not a fig whether the law be repealed or not
We did not ask for its passage, and have no pro-
test to offer against the proposed obliteration.
Whether or not the act is o meritorious one,
depends entirely upon whether it is desirable
that the masses should know what are the pro-
visions of the laws they are required TO obey
If such information is desirable, then the law
that seems so obnoxious to honorable Senators
is a wise and judicious one, perhaps requiring
modification and amendment, but not meriting
death--if the reverse. it should be slaughtered
instanter. The pretence that it is IL useless ex-
penditure because the people do not read them,
is mere twaddle. The newspaper pcnetrates
every nook and corner of the commonwealth,
and they are read. thoroughly read, including even
the laws, provided they possess sufficient interest
to warrant it; and it is not reasonable to sup
pose our Legislators will pass laws of general
application that are devoid Of interest to the
tax payers of the State. Under the old system
they were a sealed book to all except attorneys
and a very few others, the expensive volumes
containing them accommodating in vast piles of
rubbish about the public buildings--by the ex-
listing system they are seen and read by all men.
One OF the most familiar legal maxims says
Ignorance of the law excuseth no man. and,
being a Democrat in both theory and practice.
we favor giving the people all possible light,
especially such as will inform them what the
powers that be- require of them, thus ena-
bling them Understandings to discharge all the
duties of citizenship, and by SO doing keep clear
of the laws clutches and escape the tender mer-
cics of those who administer and expound it
In this it seems we differ with the Ohio Senate.
This is matter of regret, but it is our misfor-
tune, not our fault.