Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1862-03-13
Latter from Columbus.


COLUMBUS, March 10, 1862.
DEAR CHRONICLE: The business Of the
Legislature drsgs slowly on. The session
has continued now two months, in which
time, about ITO bills have been introduced
in the House, and about IS in the Senate.
Some rs laws have been passed and about
40 joint resolutions. A large number Of the
bills have met the fate of indefinite post
ponement or of having all stricken out after
the enscting clause, and there seems to be
quite q strong inclination among a large
portion Of the members not to favor pro-
positions to amend, or repea, existing laws,
unless in cases Of clear and urgent necessity
their purpose being to conine the action
Of the Legislature chiefly to the condi tion
and necessities Of the State growing out Of
the rebellion.
Among the important laws passed may
be mentioned the Bank suspending act
The act to enable the volunteers to trans
nit their pay to their families or friends
through the State and county Treasures,
under which no fees whatever are allowed
to any person.
Upon the subject Of retrenchment, there
is a very general disposition to decrease fee'
and salaries, general and local taxes, 90.
but the difficulty seems to be that the OBJ
jects sought to be retrenched are 90 nn
merous and various, affecting so many per
sons, classes, and interests, MS to make theil
united influence necessarily very powerful
and checking. Somebody's toes are tramp
ed upon no matter what movement is made
and IF you won't tramp on my toes, ]
won't tramp on yours is the oompromis,
which tends to retard progress towards re
%trenchment.
Mr.. Welsh a. chairman of the Commit
tee on Retrepchment in the Senate is work
ing diligently and industriously to effec
judicious and successful retrenchment il
fees and salaries, and in general and loca
taxation, and his constituents may be as
sured that it will not be his fault if a pro
per result be not arrived at; and the peopl,
of Belmont may be assured that in Mr.
Kennon, also, they have a representative,
who, to the fullest extent, will favor tina
legislation which tends most effectually Il
crush out the sccursed rebellion, and at tn
Same time make the pecuniary burdens o
the people as light as possible.
A Union caucus for the nomination Of
candidate for the U. 8. Senate will be hel,
tomorrow night. Those elected on tn
Union ticket, whether formerly Republi
cans or Democrats, will meet together, an,
it is to be hoped for the good Of the country
that, forgetting past party differences-dii
~ferences that are not now in issue-the
may, upon the common platform Of tho Cor
s~titution and the restoration and preserva
ton of the Union, choose a man, withou
reference to his former politics, best ftte
for the position, and who is without = spar
of sympathy for traitors or their sympsth
zers.
This Legislature can hardly fail to have a
adjourned session, considering the uncertai
state of finances, and the probable militaI
: wants Of the country, Notwithstanding Ii
: Senate has already in effect expressed itse
against having such session.
The Congressional districting committe,
y are busily at work upon a plan for distric
ing the State, and will probably.report in
= few days.