Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1868-02-15

done. They looked upon the amendment
of Mr.. Lawrence as prejudgment OF the
case. ps So -
Mr.. GRISWOLD was in favor.of the To-
cation at Athens. He thought the amend-
ment fair one. Mr.. Corey had said the
committee had assurances that the work
should be suspended until the investiga-
ton was completed. What harm would
then result from the adoption OF the
amendment?
Mr.CARTER offered the following sub
stitute for Mr.. Lawrence's amendment,and
the latter was thereupon Withdrawn by the |
mover on leave:
Add at the close of the resolution the
following: sand the trustees Of the said
asylum be and are hereby directed to sus-
pend the letting of contracts in relation
thereto. until further action by the General
Assembly," Tho question being on agreeing |
to this amend nent, a.,-f
Mr.. KEIFER had doubts about the au-
thority OF the Legislature to suspend by
resolution the power OF the Trustees to let
contracts, as the law gives them power, and
makes it their duty to go on with the
work. He was opposed to the attempt to
take from the Trustees the power to go
forward in the discharge of their duty.
MIR. LAWRENCE thought the passage
of the amendment would induce the Trus
tees, as honorable men, to suspend work
until an investigation was had. He was
not opposed to the location of the institu
tion at Athens. But the Trustees did not
come before us in such manner as to entitle
them to any special favor. He urged that
they had not complied with the law requir-
ing plans, specifications and estimates to
be filed in the Office of the Secretary Of
State before the letting of contracts. The
amendment merely guarded against the
letting of contracts pending the investiga-
ton.
Mr.. DOWDNEY referred to the law tor
the construction of the asylum, and argued
that as the trustees were limited in the cost
to $30O.O00, 1t was proper to have the work
suspended until it was ascertained whether
they had or had mot exceeded their author
ity. These things should be guarded against
at an early day. The trustees might go on
and eXpend the 100000 and the asylum be
not half completed. Mr.. D. was not un-
friendly to Athens, but he would have an
investigation, and was in favor Of the
amendment.
Mr.. LAWRENCE resumed his remarks
and structures upon the fact that plans,
specifications and estimates had not been
filed, according to law, in the office OF the
Secretary of State. He wanted to have
the data as to the probable cost of the in
stitution. 81
Mr.. KEIFER said the trustees could
make no contract that woulds bind the
State, unless they fully complied with the
law in advertising. &c. The resolution
would have no effect in suspending the
work, unless it rose to the dignity of a re-
peal of the law. He thought the move
ment ior an investigation was designed to
open up the question of the location of the
asylum. He was opposed to suspending the
work on the institution. There was no
evidence that the trustees were likely to
exceed the Limitation OF the cost of con-
struction, 100000. j.
Mr.. MAY had been listening to the dis
cussion that he might know how to vote.
There was certainly enough shown that
there should be an investigation. There
appeared to be neglect of compliance
with the law sufficient to warrant the
adoption of the amendment proposed by
the gentleman from Defiance, Mr.. Carter.
There could be no harm in suspending
the letting of contracts in future until an
investigation was had. These trustees
were the agents of the State, and under its
supervision and control. He referred to a
resolution of the last Legislature suspend
ing the letting OF contracts by the Direc-
tors of the Penitentiary under law of the
State.
Mr.. DICKEY did not think there was
anything in the legal objection raised by
the gentleman from Clarke, Mr.. Keifer.
The law did not prescribe the time in
which these trustees should let contracts.
As the statute was silent in regard to time,
the Legislature had the power to suspend
operations in the construction of the Asy-
lum. Hl-5 WG s.f H
Mr.. GOLDEN, after some remarks, NOV
ed the reference of the resolution, with the
pending amendment, to the Judiciary COM
mittee, which was agreed to.
THE REPUBLICAN PROTEST.
On motion of Mr.. STAMBAUGE, the
Senate resolution of Mr.. Yeoman, relative
to forwarding the protest of the Repub-
licau Senators to the withdrawal of the as
sent of Ohio to the proposed XlVth Con-
stitutional Amendment, to the President,
Senators and Representatives in Congress,
&C., was taken up, and on motion of
Mr.. STANBAUGH, was indefinitely
postponed by the following vote:
YEAs-Messrs. Berry, Campbell, Carter
Dickey, Dowdney, Emmitt, Evans. God
frey, Golden, Jamison, Kenney, Lawrence,
Linn, May, Scribner, Stambaugh, Winner
IL.
NAYs-Messrs. Biggs, Burrows, Conant,
Corev, Griswold, Hail. Jones, Keifer, Kess-
Ter, Kramer. Potts, Terrence, Woodworth
YeOman-l4.
THE INTEREST BILLS.
On motion of Mr.. COREY, his interest
| bill and that of Mr.. Hall were taking up
The question being on agreeing to an
amendment made in committee of the
Whole to the former bill,
Mr.. COREY proceeded to speak at
| length upon the merits of his bill, which
| leaves the rate of interest at six per cent
except on contracts for greater rate than
six per cent, and not exceeding ten, n,which
| it legalizes. Mr.. Hail's bill differs from
Mr.. COrey's, in limiting the higher rate o
| interest to contracts for money loaned
After Mr.. Corey had concluded his speech
Mr.. STAMBAUGH replied to Mr.. Corey
and argued. in opposition to the plan o
| making contract for ten per cent. interes
| legal.
| On motion of Mr.. GRISWOLD, the fur
| ther consideration of this subject was post
poned till Tuesday next, and made the spe
cial order for that day at z. NJ.
| LEAVE OF ABSENCE.
Mr.. STAMBAUGH had leave of absence
| for an indefinite time, on account OF sick
ness in his family.
| The Senate then adjourned.
HOUSE.
| MORNING SESSION.
Prayer by Rev. Mr.. Robertson.
! Mr.. BRONSON presented the petition O
| T. G. Bradley and SO other citizens of Me
dina county, praying for the passage of
law to legaliZe ten per cent. interest b,
| contract. Referred to the committee OF
| Interest.
| Mr.. NEWMAN presented the petition O
| j. G. Pebbles and SO other citizens of Sci
OTTO county, praying for a change in tn
present interest law OF Ohio. Referred t;
committee on Interest.
Mr.. PARR presented the petition g
II Judge Brumback and 16 other citizens c
Newark, Licking county, for law author
izing the County Commissioners to levy
tax for the repairing and remodeling {
the Court House in said county. Referre
to Mr.. Parr as a select committee of one.
4 MESSAGES AND REPORTS.
Il The CHAIR laid before the House com
munication from p. Hitchcock, one of tn
Trustees of the State Asylum for Idiot
containing an exhibit of the disbursement