Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1868-02-05
CoIumbuS Letter.

day last. Both parties felt an intensI
interest in it, conceding that the result
might justly be taken as a reliable in
dieation of the drift and tendency o
public opinion. The Democrats ex
pressed confidence that the result
would show that the reaction which
they have SO boastfully claimed set il
last fall, would be found TO be going on
The largely increased Republican ma
jority, however, has opened their eye
to the fact that the lethargy of the
Republicans last fall was but transient
and that Ohio will be good for forty
thousand majority for Grant as the
Union candidate for President mex
fall. In this part of the State, and il
fact I think in all parts, no n i:
talked of or seriously thought of as
the looming man." but Gen. Grant
His nomination at Chicago is a fore
gone conclusion at least such are the
foreshadowings of popular sentiment
l have no doubt his nomination will
give such a momentum to Republican.
ism as will enable US to carry every
Congressional District we now hold, q
contamination most desirable and nee
esssry.
Business is piling up on the calendar
of both branches of the Legislature
The new road bill, offered by Mr.. Can
non, is being considerably modified by
the Standing Committee on Roads
While there is apparently much clamor
against the road law of last winter,
there are those who think and believe
that if the law had but a season or two
of fair trial, enabling the people to be-
come familiar with its workings, that
they would not return to the old sys-
TEN. 1t is claimed that where it has
been properly tried, it has proved
entirely acceptable and that an expen-
diture of $50 will secure double the
work secured by the old law. But
there is no use of attempting to defend
the present law, with any hope of re-
tanning it, as its repeal seems inevitable.
A State Temperance Convention was
in session in this City on Wednesday
last. Trumbull County was represent
ed by Messrs. Stranahan. of Vienna,
and Wilson, of Niles. A Cincinnati
delegate made the statement that the
greater portion of the people of that
city were either whisky drinkers or
sellers of the fluid. The assertion is
heidto be not ~extravagant.
Resolutions were adopted in favor of
additional legislation to close dram
shops; in favor of a State Inebriate
Asylum ; Disappearing of organizing a
distinct party, but pledging themselves
not to vote for a drunkard, or g. man
hostile to prohibition also in favor of
organizing Juvenile temperance socie-
ties in schools and churches.
A resolution denouncing the use of
tobacco, met with little support and
sympathy, even by gentlemen who
oppose the drinking OF a glass of cider.
When the deleterious effects of the use
of tobacco are more generally appTecia-
ted by the people, We have no doubt it
will be freely conceded that the use of
that noxious narcotic vitiates the appe-
titles of thousands, and in as many in
stances lays the foundation of that
consuming thirst for liquid ~stimulsnts,
which bears countless myriads of hui
man beings TO the drunkard's grave
When we see men of professed uncom-
promising temperance s~ympathies,
grinding the vile weed between their
teeth and ejecting the disgusting poi
son on all around, there is reason to
fear that they do not fully comprehend
their responsibility. There is quite as
much truth as rhyme in the distich
Tobacco is an Indian weed;
Twas the devil soWed the seed"
A State Convention of County Audi
tors was held here on Tuesday and
Wednesday last. to consult on the
question of the road law, and also the
Report of the Commissioners to revise
the Finance Laws Of the State. Their
experience would doubtless enable
them to speak intelligently of the prac-
tioal workings of many laws. What, if
any, particular points are to be discuss
ed in memorial or petition, we are not
advised. Our very competent and
oSliging County Auditor, Nh. Brigden,
was in attendance.
The bill to repeal the Act to restrain
cattle from running at large, has been
killed in Judiciary Committee, and in
conformity with their report, indefinite
ly postponed. So the law remains IN
changed.
There is some talk of the general ap-
preparation bill being introduced soon,
and an adjournment in March, but not
sine die. There are too many who want
to come back here next winter.
The weather has been intensely cold
for several days, and while the earth is
bare of snow here we learn you are en-
joying good sleighing in Trumbull.
Every day or two a petition comes in
asking for a repealof the present inter
est law, and asking for a ''free trade"
usuly law. While the ''free trade"
theory has some points worthy Of
serious consideration, and while it is
true that the law of supply and demand
will eYer control the market price Of
money, as other commodities, it must
be admitted that the general welfare
demands that until this nation, and
especially the west, shall have a pleth-
ora'of capital, seeking investment, that
some restriction is necessary. When
money is manifestly worth ten per
cent to those needing it, it will COM
mand it in defiance of statutes, and at
this time very few borrowers obtain
loans at the legal rate of six per cent.
per annum. Yet for all this. the pres
ent law will not be changed. The i'm
preston is that moneyed men are not