Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1860-04-04
Letter From Columbus.


March 20, 1850.
Eds. Chronicle:-Thc Legislature ha
departed, and the Capital is rapidly as
suming that home look which renders j
such a desirable place for the summer resi-
dence of the bOnafde citizens. with jus
enough of business and public excitemen.
to keep one from becoming drowsy, ant
not enough to disturb the home pursuits o
the people, Our winter life is very much
given up to the great public, which takes
possession of the high places of State, and
lays hands upon the helm of a%fflirs, al if
to test the timber and rigging Of the no
bic old craft, and see if she will mind he1
helm. When these 60 away, the local Of
fcials loom up into undisturbed control,
the citizens subside into the quiet enjOy-
ment of home society, and We are a very
happy people. OF the acts and calibre Of
this General Assembly, there will be a
wide difference of opinion. The House of
Representatives is an eminently respecta-
bic body of men. but sadly in the want of
the central force of cohesion and unity. 1t
was a great pity that Speaker Parsons had
not been retained upon the floor, instead of
being sunk in the chair. No member
could have so well acted as leader, and no
other could lead hat body. so they had no
leader on the Republican side, while the
Democracy were ably marshalled by the
keen sighted and ready Ex-Speaker Woods
of Licking, and the inevitable Andrews
of Auglaize. Things will be in better
shape in the House next winter, for the
close of the session witnessed the looming
up of a palpable-leadership, which will be
better developed when that body meets
again.
Not so of the Senate. True it took some
time for the clements to assume their pla-
ces according to specific gravity, but the
men of mark were early recognized, Har-
rison of Madison, held the mace by com
mon accord, at the opening, and but for
his factious quirks, might have held it to
the end, but his over anxiety to save the
Union, led him to quarrel with his friends,
and the power faded from his presence
The Democracy had strong men from the
South West, n.en whom you could oppose
with all your might, anu still love and
honor them, but the flower Of the Senate
was from the North East. Monroe of Lo-
rain, who had graduated from the House,
was among the best and most commanding
men of the Senate, and we only qualify our
admiration of the man, by saying
that he has been in the legislature long
enough to tolerate and adopt some of the
tricks of politicians, who will trade prin
ciple for success, on some secondary ques-
Then came the stalwart Garfield Of
Portage, bold, frank and strong; generally,
but not always. good tempered; but in the
of principle, firm as the hills But
there is one other of more promise than
Ill. 1t was a terrible exposure of grow
material, and forming greatness, when
The voters of Trumbull and Mahoning cast
heir ballots for J.. D. Cox. l trembled
or the man, and felt as if a comedy sham
,ock, hat was going on steadily to its
nigh destiny, had been ~transplanted from
is bracing mountain air, to grow up in the
humid atmosphere Of green house, and
become as cellular as plants are apt to, in
ruch soil and forcing. But when Cox be-
to lead off in the Senate, one felt as
ord Nelson did, when at his great fight,
lie paused in enthusiastic admira ton, to
zee how that fine fellow, the young Lord
JOllingwOod. took his ship into action Mes
Cox and Garfield, being modest young
nen, were for some time embarrassed by
he time serving policy of some of their
lder associates, but when forbearance had
eased to be a virtue, the young Senator
rom Trumbull stood up like mountain
inc, and with a courteous but firm def
nee, declared for the right, in tie face
f all policy of friends or foes. From that
moment the Senate was redeemed and
Iisenthralled.
There is a desk in waiting at the opposite
orner of the capitol, for this fine fellow,
Then the voters of Ohio shall select their