Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1862-04-03
Letter from Columbus.

n CoLuMpus, March. al, l,

'ssft VI
legislation drags its slow length along. The
most important bill ofthe session passed the
Senate last week, and will undoubtedly pass
the House with but little if any amend.
This bill was introduced BY the
Finance Committee Of the Senate, and fixes
a limit to the rate of assessments for nearly
all the purposes of taxation. 1t reduces the
general school levy from | 4-lO ola mill, to
one and two tcnths, to the dollar. The
local levy, for all school purposes is limited
to three mills, This latter clause is regard
ed by many az the most ext-ayagant part
Of the bill; but, upon the whole, it is re-
garded as a most excellent bill and one that
will work a wholesome reformation in the
much abused system Of local taxation which
has prevailed in the State. 1t is believed
that the limitation will produce a saving Of
over two millions Of dollars in the next
years levy. m ~
In order to make other things comply
with such a reduction Of taxation as that
contemplated, a pretty general system Of
retrenchment has been ~inaugurated. A
bill to regulate and limit the compensation
Of County Treasurers has passed the Senate.
This bill allows the Treasurer of Belmont
county for the collection, safe keeping, and
disbursement of taxes on the grand duplicate
about 81 200. The saving in the State will
be near 40,000.
Bills arc pending to reduce the compen-
sation of Auditor, Clerk of the Court, and
Probate Judge. A bill passed the Senate
reducing the compensation Of County Com
missioners to two dollars per day and mileage,
and a bill passed both branches reducing
the pay of Township Assessors to 81, so per
day. The Senate passed a bill regulating
the publication of the delinquent list, and
sale of delinquent lands for taxes. 1t pro-
vides for the publication of the delinquent
list after the Goth OF December, and fixes
the day of sale on the third Tuesday in
January. This is to avoid the necessity and
expense Of publishing q man as delinquent
after he may have paid his taxes.
The Senatorial question is at last law on
the table, After four nights faithful bal
loting In caucus the conclusion was arrived
DO made and the caucus, after forty, nine
10 adjourn sine, dse. The.subject will not
likely be taken up again this session. 1t
has been a great hindrauce to other business.
1t seems to me to be unfortunate that the
! Constitution, did not provide for the election
of u, $. Senator by the people. % neag
A bill passed the House authorizing the
appointment by the Governor OF. 20 addi-
tional Assistants Surgeons for the Ohio Iegi
ments, at a compensation Of 800 per month,
This measure was recommended by the
Governor in a special message some tint
since, in response to most pressing demands
from many Of the Ohio regiments. Any
necessary expense incurred in this way
will doubtless be refunded by the Genera
Government. ,tr
A committee was appointed some tint
since by the Senate to visit the militar,
prison at Camp Chase, and make certain in
vestigations relative to rebel prisoners hold
ing slaves in the prison !; also as to the sys
|, TEN Of p~aroling rebel prisoners. The com
mittee reported that there were 10 odd ne
groes in the prison, many of whom wer
serving and waiting on their former master
as sldres +; and that rebel officers ON parole
were, in rebel uniforms, thfonging the Ho
tells in Columbus, and appearing within tn
Halls of the Capitol, preaching their doc
, trines Of secession, &c. ro
The committee reported a preamble ant
L raeolntiona nrotastino auainst tho intro1uc
ION Of Snm,barn slavsrv ;nt" Ohio "ontrar
W orr Laws and Tor s,;tr.;ou Lee .na;ns
! he r;rbt Of reboI nf;cars IN rebel n%n;farm
tn nrescb thar secession doctp;nas in q"
!, Hotels saloons stores and m the streets
m rssoi,t;nns we,n n.ss.d hn ho,b hranoL
/; az ssw or'ths W. \, v;oi.n.ly nnna.;n
tI%s;r nassass Theye nre nu;te a ppppmhs
IF secession svmnatb;aars in G"Iumhns any
ail snch taIs arnat Mains 70 l;on;Ss NC rob
els ON narole and ;pfnsa into thar aIrsad
-distemnered minds batred m tha NortL
and ~ The Gnvernment $50 $500
/. Rssoin,;ons ware -trnd,c ;n,otbo S.r
.,e and nssseJ hv That boSv so,ne teu DO,
/ since %relat;ve to a re5nct;on ~ ths nronoss
tar of three cen,s rer Mound bv ongras. y
$ l~eaftobaoco In The Honsetbe resointion
9 met with some onposition. arising from
d Observation-Disclosures az the subject. Which h
6 to their references to a select com,n;ttee =
: one~Mr Kennop' On SATURDAY. Mr. Kar
S non made n verv interesting renort On III
r subject. recommend;ng tba MASSAGE of m
d resolnt;ons' wb;ch be hocked nm by an oil
and enarret;c sneech' The resolutions mas,
h ed nrettY u~nanimomslv. >""
: nreSmble and RESOLUTIONS vers ;n,r,
b dncea into the Senate cali;nS The attsnt;o
Of Conaress 70 RalIa;re rs. Sn;tabla IL
So"taSSo W DVho'tot o oui1aoro Nv