Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1868-04-24

Inc OHIO State u Journal assumes TO speak
for the people of Ohio, and whatever action
If the Legislature itapproves or condemns
It claims to speak in the name of THE peo-
pie" The Democratic members were
elected on the open and above board decla-
ration that this is White mans Govern
ment, and should be administered by White
men in the interest of White men. Every
argument that could be was brought to
bear in favor of striking the word White
ont of the State Constitution. The patriot
ism of the colored man was glowingly de-
picted, and it was insisted that nothing but
a mean, contemplate prejudice, begotten Of
the Institution of Slavery, would think of
denying to Negroes in Ohio the privilege
OF voting. 1t was said thatth Democrats,
and they were represented as set of beings
who occupied the lowest place among hu-
man beings, intellectually, educationally,
and socially, alone opposed the giving of
this privilege to the Negroes. They were
declared their interiors In all the elements
of true worth and patriotism. There was
no epithet too vile-no SANDER too base
for the advocates of the abolition of po-
litical distinction between the Whites and
Blacks to apply to the Democrats. Not
withstanding all this, Ohio, that at the pre-
ceding election gave within few votes of
forty-three thousand Republican majority,
gave very nearly Democratic majority for
the State Ticket, and did put into each
branch of the General Assembly Demo-
cratic majority. In the preceding General
Assembly, the Republican party bad ma
jority of 13 in the Senate and 35 IN the
House, being 4S on joint ballot. Although
the people had defeated the proposition to
strike tie word White from the Constitu-
ton by fifty thousand, they yet gave small
majority to the Republican State Ticket
Had they been so minded, they would have
put majority into each branch of the
General Assembly. They realized, how
ever, that if they should put Republican
majority into the General Assembly
no matter by what Overwhelming
majority they should declare against
Negro Suffrage, that Republican General
Assembly would ratify an amendment to
the Constitution of the United States, pro-
viding for Negro Suffrage In all the States
1t was to defeat that and to inaugurate re-
trenchment and reform and to prevent the
further oppression of the people that a
Democratic majority was elected to the
Legislature.
The Democratic members of the Legisla-
ture have passed law that confines voting,
as the constitution demands, to "White cit
izens of the United States" Because the
Legislature has done this, the Republican
press have raised great outcry, asserting
in every form of assertion, from mild to
violent, that herein the wishes ofthe people
have been outraged and that they are wroth
in consequence. 1t is true that Republican
editors are mad; but we have heard of no
angry demonstration touching the matter
on the part of the people.
The Democrats have about enacted into
a law the appropriation bill for 1868. The
Finance Committee that prepared this bill
put themselves to much trouble to exam
inc into and ascertain how much money it
will actually take to carry on the State
Government as it should be carried on. In
view of the fact that the State officers are
Republican, the details could not be found
out as quickly as though these offices were
in the hands of Democrats. 1t was proper
that there should not be over haste in the
matter, lest injustice would be done some
departments in the appropriations. The
appropriations have been made, therefore,
on an intelligent and liberal basis, and un-
dov ha n
saving of very nearly Jfue hundred thousand
dollcrs to the ta1 payers of the State. Again,
we are told that the people are dissatisfied
NOT dissatisfied because the appropria-
tions have not been cut down more; but
because they are so C. ntggardly'-that is so
small. "The people," it is said, "will not
sanction this small beer business"
In another matter, the Democratic Sena-
tors, we are told, have just wantonly out
ragged the feelings of the people and defied
them. They have postponed until next
January, Mr.. CoREY's bill to increase the
rate of interest to 10 per cent. 1t is stated
that ''the people" have petitioned for this
increase in the rate of interest. It is not
true. The people have not petitioned for any
such law. Bankers, and men who live BY
lending money, may have done so. If we
do not tell the truth, let an appeal be taken
to the people at the next election. The
business, the energy, the enterprise and the
labor, in one way and another, through
Federal, State and municipal Govern
ments. through tariffs, through the exemp-
tion of the bondholder from taxation, are
now taxed beyond their capacity, without
imposing upon them an additional tax by
legislation to increase the rate of interest
on money.
No, for all such ''defiance," the people
will thank the Democratic members of the
General Assembly.