The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1861-03-13
Letter from Columbus.

Letter from Columbus.
Hall of the House of Representatives,
Columbus, March 9Th. 1851.
DEAR "SpIR1r:" have been crowded
with business of deep Importance to the
people of Ohio for several weeks, so much
so that shall be compelled to ask your
pardon, and the Indulgence of your nu
merous readers, for not supplying the
Esprit" with nv s0eakly letter.
On last Friday, I introduced bill to-
allow the Commissioners of Monroe coun.
ty to borrow money to supply the defcien-
cy in the County Treasury. On Wednes-
day it came up upon its second reading.
and had it, together with the memorials
from the county officers of Monroe upon
that subject, referred to select commit
tee of three, Messrs Stout, Welch and
Neigh. Yesterday, we did not reach the
order of select committee reports, and
this morning we asked and obtained leave
TO make our report, and reported the bill
back, and recommended its passage, when
an animated discussion ensued. Mr..
Woods, of Licking, moved to strike out
eight per cent. and insert seven per cent.
Mr.. Converse, of Franklin, moved to
amend the amendment by striking out
seven and inserting six. I took the ground
in discussion, that the Commissioners
could not possibly get the money at tless
No irh hat W mi "
as we'll kill the bill at once, and refuse to
grant the relief 80 much needed and uni
versally asked for, as to restrict the Com
missioHers TO a rate of interest at which
it would be impossible for them to get
the money, and demanded division of
the question. The question then turned
upon striking out the words .eighk per
cent" and the House refused to strike
out, so I carried that point. Amend.
ments we're offered 10 load the bill down.
and warm discussions ensued, but in all /
was victorious; snd finally, after some
three hours hard fighting, the House
came to final vote, when the bill passed.
by vote of 81 yeas to "a nays 7aei
In my four yeas in the Legislature, /
have had several tightly contested strug-
giles, but / never was more aattcred with
a success than with this one. for the tide
of opposition was strong against the BILL
and am proud that I am able to be o
some service to my noble.hsarted con
stituents. I will Immediately urge .it'
passage through the Senate. asI
| Since writing to you last, l have intro
duced bill to allow the directors o
Clarington school district 20 borrow mon
ey for school house purposes. Our schoo
committee is down upon loans, and fea
they will report against my bill.
think I told you in former letter
that I Ind introduced bill to "protec
the interest of Mechanics and Labor
ers, by prohibiting the immigration
Of blacks and mulattoes iEto this State.
The bill is now in the hands Of the stand
ing committee on the Judiciary, and the
have agreed to report it back and recon
mend its passage. . % ssia t'a. =
The House is now engaged in discuss
ing the bill to lease the Public Works 9
the State. Iweuld much rather see thei
sold, and the State released from tn
curse. They have already cost the tss
! payers of Ohio, FORTY.FIVE MIL
LIONS OF DOLLARS. 90 lssssA 2
I have been engaged for several week
as Chairman of tho select committee
i. investigate the condition Of the Idiot
Asylum, and although my labors are M
yet complete. yet enough is ascertained
justify the conclusion that there is SOM
thing rotten in this quarter. If the tal
payers of Ohio could see aud realize no
their hard earned money il squandere'
1 they would raise sach breeze about o.
4 lumbus that would sweep away some I,
the rubbish and 9Th that infest the Cop
tol. This Idiotic school has been in ope
alton little over three years, and the
!, have squandered Of the peoples none
Thirty fo,er thousand tvo husdrsd an
seven dollars and torty,t1o cents.
But there il yet another feature in the 90,
:. cern that is rather revolving, The late 81
perintendent reports to have received from II
Enareuts Of Idiotic youth the sum Of s., q
tLast week had resolution passed the Hou,
.lcalling upon the new superintendent for il
formation as to how much money had bee
, received from pay pupils, and the superb
tsndent reports.s....S. ..... .. ~. ,I6Ss45
. d. Patterson's report. !. s.s.s 3, ~
: Difference between the two. $2,1e3,1s
Now the question comes mp, what has b
| como of that $2.l63,16 that has been pal
ints that, concern BY the parents Of these ul
!, fortunate youth? You shall hear from N
: again next week.
Very truly, Your obsdient servant,b{ @
| r. gislebags 6,afssa JAS M. STOUT.
The Inauguration, Ceremony,
I gio The morning was clear and tbeautifa