Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1866-01-11
New Series--Vo1. 8, No. SO.

these allegations, we may only reply. CTbt
that, if other large classes Of claimants up
on our bounty and justice, can be better, oi
alone, provided for in the manner, the un
avodable exclusion Of the class in question
is no objection TO the plan because, we arc
bound to do all the pood TO all the classes
which We can do. And, If the obligation
really exists towards the unmarried, we
should be doing them an injustice by neg
lectug it, for reason not pertinent 70
theirs, but to another case. The true rule
is, to do the best we can TOR each class,
according to the circumstances and capa.
billtes which appertain to each. If mar
ried men cannot he provided for, in pub.
lie Soldiers Home, we must devise some
other and, for them, better system Of sup
port Secondly, the apparent disregard Of
the feelings OF the pensoner is merely sp-
parent. The fact Of the same relationship
between the person and the Government,
will in reality exist just as much, if he lives
in private at home, or with his original
friends, as it would in public institution.
And my own opinion is, that thi3 depen-
dence is all the more obvious and painful
than that of the public form. 1t is more
obvious and direct in its bearing upon tho
individual because everybody who is near
him in private life will see and know his
stipendiary support. 1t is more painful for
that reason, aud also, because be will not
be braced against his humiliation, by the
esprit du cOrps, OF the many associates who
surround him in the public institution and
by the praises of it, which the visitors will
bestow in their hearing or through the press.
Retrenchment in our enormous expenses
is indeed aU especial desire Of mine. But
here, as in our Benevolent institutions, is
not the place for false economy. And that
the economy is false, let any man who may
be frightened at the numbers Of these Sol
diers' Homes, aud the consequent startling
sums necessary in the aggregate to maintain
them, propose his alternative schemes for
their relief or support. Let him calculate
and show his own comparative expenditures,
by other plans. Would he divide them
among the county poor-houses for economy?
Division does not sxtinguish the quantity
divided. Would he bide them away in
private life, to subsist as they may on private
charity? Concealnent does not suppress an
evil. 1t were as wise so to scatter and con-
ceal, in the general mass, the inmates Of
the smallpox hospitals. For, be it renem.
bered, that these vices oil your volunteer
paupers (made so by your neg gcctl would
be as contagious, too, as that disease. AS
already suggested, that evil will reappear,
in spite of your closed eyes, and with hor-
rid increase Of your taxes, at all the centers
Of misery and crime. 1t is no economy
it is downright eXtravagance-to undertake
to support large classes of beneiciares up.
on retail instead of wholesale principles. /
trust, then, the General Assembly will found
this noble institution of benevolence and of
justice, wisely aud generously.
THE ARREST OF THE STATE TREASURER.
After stating the facts and circumstance
connected with the arrest of DR.. g. Y.
Dorsey, and discussing and defending al
great length his course in reference thereto
he says:
To recapitulate these questions, evolved
from this contros ersy, which are Of practi
cal utility to you in your duty Of amending
the laws, they are:
First: Can the General Assembly, sum
marly aud without trial or impeachment
dispossess the State Treasurer of his of
flee and make ii vacant?
Second: Can it, for this or other ends
empower these three officers to pass judg
ment upon the findings of the Examiners
report, and authorizs the Governor there
upon to issue this order and make this ar
rest? And,
Third Has the Governor, by the Con
stitution and laws, as the law stands, the
authority to take action in carrying thi:
law into execution, beyond and after thC
point of issuing the order and causing the
arrestp
To dispose Of the lesser and least Difficult
question first. If the General Assembly
after concluding that it has the constltu
tonal power to enact this proceeding, shal
yet perceive that this law is really detec
tive in not specifically authorizing the
Governor to enforce its full execution, 1t il
surely your indispensable duty to remedy
this defect by an amendment in express
terms. 1t must be observed once again
that particular point, this, your own pro
ceeding against embezzement, fatally
breaks down and stalls its whole remedy
at the most critical-and vital-point Of it
intended force.
The first or ,at question of constitutions
mower in the General Assembly, really un
derlies and eacloses ali the others. AnC
because it's decision must chiefly contro
your action so that you must either repea
the law, as being beyond the power o
amendment, or else you must lend it th
blessed amending hand" it seems also M
duty to say something upon it, feel tn
less repugnance or delicacy now in doini
so, that it can do no further iniuryto to the
case of the late Treasurer. This point II
the process of bringing him into court, i
irrecoverably passed. He is now in court
to be tried for an offence, which there is D
manner of doubt, the Legislature had til
power to make an offence, and to subject t
legal restraint or punishment. 1t may b
true, that this process was unconstitutlona
If so, a great wrong has been done him
and an injury committed against publ
Justice and the character Of the State; bu
he is no longer specially interested in tha
az a living question. But it does, nevertht
= less, greatly concern the State to see TO i
that this or like wrong shall not be agal
committed in her naunc. have the lei
restraint upon myself in this matter, as'
because sensible and disinterested me
have expressed doubts to ne OF the const
: tutionality of that section, and the Allito
: of State, whose opinions have, and are e'
r titled to much influence, in his report, su
q gests its repeal. This brings up that que
i lion, The constitutional gurantees, whiC
are presumed to be alleged as invaded
this summary proceeding, are thelright
" trial by Jury, in Section |, Article l, Gems
h tuition OF Ohio; the inyestlture OF "the Jao
v ciaI power of the State" in the courts
,r Justice, in Section 5, Article i: the lst a,
4 ~. Il 1ah ia