Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1862-05-08
: : 4 3 3 3 b
Last Hours OF the Session.


Both branches of the Legislature ad
journed between two and three o'clocl,
on Friday morning, to meet again next
January.
The Senate had u very quiet night Sos.
sion, most of the time being spent in
awaiting the action Of the House. A
number of grave Senator's were in the
Hall of Representatives to witness the
closing scenes in the popular branch of
the General Assembly, whore the "noise
and confusion" was so great at times
that the business of legislation had to bo
suspended Many Of the Representatives
amused themselves by throwing paper
balls at each other and frequently chair.
cushions were thrown with considerable
force. The gentleman from Medina be-
ing struck by the gentleman from Clark,
returned the compliment with a spittocn
and afterwards apologized very hand
somely to the House and to Mr.. Harrison.
Fun and frolic were the order of the hour
and the Speaker cssayed in vain to re.
store quiet. His hammering for order
was disregarded, and the revelry in Ohio's
proud Capitol went on uncontrolled
The inimitable Peter Hitchcock, of
the Senate, was again and and again call
ed to the Clerks desk to favor the House
and the surrounding audience who were
present to enjoy the spree, with his mrth-
provoking readings" of the journal,
messages. bills. etc. His entertainments
OF this character are always amusing,
being richly spiced with wit and hurnor.
The significant feature, however, of
this memorable night session, was the
discussion and action on the bill, 10 en-
able Ohio Volunteers to vote, wherever
they may be, on the day of election in
our State. That whole-soulcd, patriotic
Democrat, Mr.. Uhl, the Representative
from Holmes, succeeded in getting i, be-
fore the House, by reporting it back from
a select committee. Mr. Converse
promptly moved that it be cngrossed for
a third reading. Motions to XIII the bill
then rapidly followed from the Repubi-
can side. a discussion cnsued which
will never be forgotten by those who
heard it.
MIR. Smith, the Republican member
from Clinton, made two or three speeches
against the bill. lie argued that the law
would be unconstitutional, and that it
would destroy the purity of elections
claiming that it would be great source
of corruption. Thus he virtually charg-
cs that our brave and gallant volunteers
are not 80 be trusted to hold an election
that they are less honest than those
who stay at home and hold elections and
vote.
Mr.. DIeScl, Democrat from Franklin,
spoke in favor Of allowing the volunteers
to vote. His arguments were convincing
and conclusive. He reminded the Re-
publicans that their opposition to the bill
arose from a wholesome fear of Demo-
cratic thunder from the noble soldier boys.
Kill this bill, said he, and the soldiers
will know who are their friends and who
are not.
Mr.. Odlin, Republican from Montgom-
cry, made a speech against the bill.
MIR. Gribbcn, Democrat from Hancock
who has Just returned from the battle.
field at Pitt,burg Landing, with the re-
mains of dcad brother that fell there,
nobly defending the Union and the Con
stltntion-spokc patriotically and elo-
quently in favor of the bill to allow the
soldiers to vote.
Mr.. Converse, Democrat from Franklin, |
made a clear, logical and convincing
speech in favor of the bll-in favor of
allowing the soldiers to vote. He an
swered in triumphant manner the consti-
tutional objection that had been raised !
against the bill, and ably defended our
gallant soldiers on the charge of fraud
and corruption that had been insinuatcd
against them, by some of the Repub-
licans. lie paid thigh compliment
to our noble volunteers, and expressed
entire confidence in their honesty and re-
gard for law and order.
lie desired that they should aid in de-
Gliding at the ballot-bo the great ques.
tions we soon shall have to meet. Fifty
thousand petitioners have asked the Leg
lSlaturc to pass q law to prohibit negro
but the majority had utter
ly disregarded the wishes of these peti-
TONERS. He wanted the soldiers to have
voice in deciding the questions that will
grow out of this negro immigration, tbot
has been invited by Republican votcs.-
The soldier absent fighting the battles of
his country, and the negro in bis very
home. Terrible to think of.
The increasing tread of the Democra.
cy which these Republicans hear alarms
them. The fact that there are four Demo.
Gratis in the army to one of the other par
y accounts for the Republican opposition
% this bill. Other States have laws en-
'bIing their soldiers to vote, and we hear
If no frauds. Everything works well
'nder them. We shall see by the action
1f members, on this bill, who are the
ricnds of our brave volunteers.
Mr.. Hills, Republican from Medina,
poke bitterly and cxcitcdly against the
ill.
The Republicans then killed it, while ,
he Democrats were trying to pass it, {
Statesman.