Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1869-12-29
Letter from
Correspondence Of the Cincinnati Chronicle.

COLUMBUS, Dec. 20.
In a few days from this writing, the
Fifty-nighth General Assembly of Ohio
Will assemble to. commence the duties Of
the session.
Even now the boarding houses and no.
tells are "hIin' up to receive the Solons.
The brush of the painter, the scrubbing
brush and whitewash bucket are trumps,
and soon the rooms that since last season
have been given over TO spider and kim
dred insects will take on the appearance
Of life, and what is miscalled comfort.
Perhaps no legislative body has ever
convened in this State under more pecu-
liar circumstances. Peculiar because,
e at this late day, it is impossible to
tell to a certainty as TO whether the House
is Republican or Democratic, although
the gOssips here generally claim that it
will be organized by the Republicans.
But rs they only guess, We bide u time
and hope for the best.
The much ':cussed" and discussed Eff
teenth Amendment will no doubt come
up early in the session. This subject,
~embodying as it does, the quintessence
of the unfortunate sons of Ham, is a God
send 10 some of the honorable gentlemen
who propose to gladden. our hearts during
the winter by their presence. They are
examining for the coming of the monster.
Some are even now ebullient, and with
the leastjsr of their nervous systems will
''slop over" They will no doubt have
their remarks" committed to memory,
as they will only repeat the same words
that have made the Inhabitants of their
respective localities make the welkin
ring" Then, too, the ''Bugle Horn of
Liberty" will appear 500 after, with the
remarks in full, with display lines
"Great Speech of the Hon. Rather, &C."
and the innocent patriots viii read and
discuss the great speech of the great man,
little thinking thai the speech was stolen
from some bigger gun, or carefully com-
piled by some poor devil with more
brains than money, at so much per line.
As usual, there are anumber Of gentle
men, and, by the way, some capital fell
lows, who are ready, at the call Of their
State, to PROSTATE themselves on the al
tar of liberty at s. per day.
And, righthere, inregzrd to c~lerkships:
Too often the causes OF their selection are
entirely insufficient. Because a. is a
good fellow, or has done valiant service
in knocking down and dragging out tur-
bulent fellows from ward meetings where
"B" was enlightening the deluded popu-
lace, is no reason why az should be
given a clerkEhip in the general Assem-
bly,. If "B" wants to recompense "A''
Z 2 AAlA NA9N I'm ia 1dPoCAOhS "
and pay for the service ct so much per
head. While itmAy not be pleasant, still
it is better for the whole people Of the
State thAtthe party lines be closely drawn.
No more sbOrtions like the Soldiers OF
Students voting Ian, the Visible Admix-
ture bills and bills OF q similar partisan
character will be allowed to disgrace our
statute books, and show the world our
ignorance, prejudice and stupidity.
It is certainly to be hoped the put up
jobs that brought huge lobbies here last
winter will not be brought out this win
ter.
One thing that did more 10 prolong the
last session than anything else, was the
miserable schemes for the benefit of the
few. asthe expense of the many. 1t is a
disagrSeable fact, but nevertheless a fact,
that it has generally gone abroad that in
order to put any measure through the
Legislature, a ''free grocery" literally
stocked with whisky and cigars, is all
that is necessary.
Any ons here with even q short men,
ory can recall the disgraceful orgiessof
last winter. Men OF intelligence and So
briefly came her from some localities, only
to become q disgrace to themselves and
their constituents. They being unused
to dissipation in their quiet rural homes,
were dazzled with the good fellowship,
so-cAlled, that met them at every turn.
Old hands at the business quietly took
their poison and credited themselves with
ten cents per drink. New men began
with first ''lookingin on the jolly parties
for 8 few minutes the first night; tasted
the wine the SECOND, and were blind
drunk in q few nights sfter; and soon be-
came bad and careless as the worst, Some
OF these mon we're shining lights at home.
GRe man particularly is now remember
ed. At bOms he wss an elder in the
Presbyterian Church, Superintendent in
the Sunday school, and respected by all.
He came there representing an intelli-
gent and sober community, and for n
time conducted himself as a man should;
but at last he was induced to look into
one of the mary free groceries, and at
last to taste the wine. Being Of anervous
: temperament, the little taken affected
him and made him Indifferent to what
followed in two hours from that time
be was bowling drunk, and singing rib
aid songs, 10 the intense qualification OF
a crowd of his AcquaintanceE who had
c~onGpired to bring him 10 this deplOrable
condition. Two men. q carriage and bed
wound up the night for our new hand at
( dissipation. But this case is only one OF
many Of 8 similar character that might
be mentioned
Then again, another thing that cursed
the Last Legislature Ess the many set
schemes that were fshed up. Some, no
doubt, had merit in them. and some were
nothing but pure unadulterated frauds.
The way many were put through was
this: One member, n perhaps a delega-
ton, wanted a bridge, school house, or
something Of that kind in his or their
county. Upon counting, il was found
that the requisite 50 votes could not be