Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1862-01-23
COLUMBUS. Jan. II. 1862.


Correspondence OF the Belmont Chfoniclel
COLUMBUS, Jan. II, 1862.
DEAR CHRONICLE: ~ you are already
informed the new Legislature has got fairly
to work in the business Of law making, and
the new State officers, ditto, in the various
duties Of their Offices. The new Governor
takes hold with will, and an evident de-
termination to maintain the high position
for Ohio which Governor Dennison was so
energetic and successful in establishing.
Governor Tod's Inaugural was model of
brevity and practicability. His suggestions
were those of a patriot and a statesman, and
the manly, hearty and eminently proper
eulogy upon his predecessor did honor to
him as life long political opponent of Den
nison's 1t showed clearly that Gov. Tod
is one of that mighty host in Ohio, which
ignores all past party ties, and knows moth
ing but his imperilled country, and recog-
nizes no man his country's friend who is not
positively and ensrgctically doing his whole
duty In this crisis.
The new Legislature will compare favora-
bly, in point Of talent with the lust, aud
think will work heartily for the common
veal. The Union party /. a party in botf
branches, and do not forget the very decided
vote by which they were sent up here.--
Their legislation will, l think, show thei
patriotic feelings, and their urgent desire t
J relieve the people from the burdens Of tax
: alton under which they labor.
q As measure looking to the protection o
{ our people in financial point of view, ma
+ be mentioned the "Bank suspension bill
g which has passed into law. This law sus
t pends the penalty heretofore attaching to
suspension of specie pay msnt by the variou
/ branches Of the State Bank, on several cor
y ditions ono of which is that the propsrt
!. of the banks must be taxed as other proper
70 ty is taxed. The law 10 be in force until tn
4 resumption ofspecie payment by majorit
{ of the New York banks. The banks, III
y derstand, will accept the conditions, and su,
l. pend.
Z Tho people Of Ohio havea right to loo
o for some radical measures Of rotrenchmer
T from this Legislature, and the prospect
that they will not look in vain. As an ind
,r cation ofthe feeling on this matter bills hay
l. been already introduced abolishing the of
ID ces Of County Infirmary Directors, and d,
O. volving tho duties of the Office on the Count
1t Commissioners, also abolishing the Office
Superintendent Of the State House, and d,
m volving the duties upon the Comptroller ,
tho Treasury. Many members discuss III
s. propriety Of nbolishing the cfiice Of Con
a, missioner of Statistics, and making burea
j. Of ofStatistiosi in the Stats Department. Thei
10 several measures indicate an intention
ID rotrcnching on the part Of members. Go
nt Tod's recommendation IN his Inaugural,
ir reference to retrenohmspt was decidedly ra,
ical, butt was we'll received. He recommend
h the reduction of the salaries of al Sta
st and county ofhcers, with tho exception
Auditor and Treasurer ofState) twenty a,
( per cent. There is also strong probabili
f Of reduction Of the levy for School pu
10 poses, at least during the war. Prof Mo
is roo, OF the Senate, who is, aud has sv
e, been the champion Of the Public School sy
TEN in Ohio, 10 understood to favor sue
D. reduction, and while not shortening the pre-
Q. snt school term, reducing the pay Of teaol
ia ers. These sweeping measures Of rsfor
n, must show the people that their ardent d
ny sire to do everything in their power
s strengthen tho arm Of the Federal Cover
IT. ment as svinced at the late election, is ab
On seconded by their law makers.
vo Military matters appointments, prom
d, tions, &C., continue to monorolize lar
70 share Of time aud attention here. The o
erous duties Of the Quartsrmaster' Adj
m tant' $ and Commisary Departments are st
%, ably conducted by Gems. Wright, Buc
d. ingham, and Delano. who were re.appoint
4. by Gov. Tod, Immediately after his inaug
ration. DR.. Weber Of Cleveland, was a
'se pointed Surgeon General, in place Of u
Mcmillan, OF this city, and Hon Luther D.