Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1868-02-26
Columbus Letter.

SbLlChCAI lOA 10y
infer that business has not proceede
with the utmost gravity and decorun
A visitor here could not fail to b
struck by the apparent total indifel
ence with which a large majority {
the members exhibit to what is tran:
piring at the clerks desk. A case il
point occurred yesterday, when a gen
tleman from q rural district" wa
present. Amember twas going through
the process of disgorging a speech OF
some topic in which no one appeared
to have special interest. The locker
on enouired, "What does this mean
isn't that man making q speech?" He
was informed that was the general i'm
preston. "Well," says the interlocu-
tor, al would ike to know who he is
talking to, and who hearshim; it seems
10 me this is a grand farce" 1t must
be confessed this is too much the case.
But this state of indifference is proba-
bly, largely engendered by the interim
Unable introduction of trivial bills, res
oluiions, etc, in which no n but the
author hiss any special interest. Al
though the Constitution prohibits
special legislation, it is too true that
three-ifths of all the bills offered, and
laws enacted, are designed for purely
local and special cases and purposes
There have at this date been one hun
dred and ninety-tWo bills introduced
in the House, and about half that num-
Der in the Senate. Fortunately the
several committee rooms are so many
g~rsve-yards for about fifty per cent. of
the bills offered and referred.
The road bill passed last week
through the House, is being digested
in the Senate. They are cutting it up
considerably, but will probably not
make any radical changes in its main
features requiring work to be perform
ed ~sgreesbly to the old supervisor sys-
tenn. The Senate has struck out the
provision which exempts fremen from
road tax and labor. 1 do not think
the House will agree to this amend
ment. Firemen should not be required
to perform duties which would render
it impossible for them to be present at
time of fire.
Mr.. Woodwork, u Senator, made
8 good speech yesterday OF the ques-
ton of the passage of a law, proposed
by g Democrat, to prevent m1lattoes, or
persons of a 'Visible admixture of
African blood" from voting. 1t was a
sound, common sense, manly, liberal
argument, to which a few of the Demo
Gratis vainly attempted to make success
full replies. 1t is generally understood
that the Democracy are in a state of
delightful uncertainty as to the ex-
pediencY of attempting the passage of
their DISTINGUISHING law. They have
been caacusing oYer it without having
been able to oome to airy positive con-
clusion.
Several local bills have consumed
much time this week. The two princi-
pal bills of this character came from
the Muskingum county members,
Messrs. Ball and Jewett. One bill
proposed that the State should buy a
fifty years old bridge across the Musk
ingum river, at a cost OF $20,000, Messrs.
B. & ]. being iesding Democrats, they
expected to whip their partizans into
voting for it unanimously, bat as all
the Republicans opposed the apparent
attempt to get a big haul out of the
State Treasury, for a dilapidated old
bridge, belonging to parties at zanes-
vile, and a dozen of Democrats being
so blind as not to 'fsee it" as plainly as
the friends of the bill, it was, after a
fierce fight, voted down. Another bill,
to give the lessees of the Public Works
of the State autocratie authority over
the canals of the State, was also
squelched, much to the modification
of the aforesaid ''leading Democrats"
who feel as though they had been
weighed in the balance and found
wanting. Jewett remarked this morn
ing, that it was not so 'felear that there
was a reliable Democratic majority in
the House"
The bill to authorize County Com
missioners to lease, under certain re-
strichons, any lands belonging to the
county, for mining coal, iron, salt,
petroleum, &C., has become a law.
The coming State Convention is at
tracing considerable attention. There
is some lively competition for the can
didaey for Secretary of State. DR.. Jas.
Williams, of this city, and one of the
most indefatigable, wholesouled Re
publicans in the State, seems to be the
leading candidate. He is eminently
qualified for the Office.
ExlGoy. David Tod is spoken Of as a
proper person to be nominated as an
Elector at large for the State, on the
Republican Presidential Ell ectoralTick-
ct. We presume the Northern portion
of the State viii 60 unanimously for the
Governor. He is SO well and faYorably
known in TrumbuIl, that anything
laudatory of him in these columns,
would be supererogatory. Wehope our
delegates will all cordially support him.
The State Journal Cleveland Herald,
and other leading papers have publish
ed strong endorsements of the Govern
or for the position.
The weather, here, the past week,
hiss been remarkably line, almost rival
ing the geniality of May.
Tomorrow Saturday being the 22d
of February, the birthday of Washing
ton, both houses will adjourn over
until Monday in honor of the memory
of the sfather of our country" and to
accommodate the convenience, comfort
and general desire of the members OF
these over.worked, law-naking and