The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1870-02-08
COLUMBUS CORRESPONDENCE
COLUMBUS, Ono. February 10.

COLUMBUS, Ono, February 19.
Eds SPIRIT: Most of last week was
employed by the Legislature in preparing
bills in Committees; and a large number
have been advanced ready for the third
reading.
On Friday the Governor transmitted
to both houses letter of congratulation
to the Ohio Legislature on the passage
of the Fifteenth Amendment 1t was
signed by the Vice President and about
two hundred Radical members of Con-
gress. 1t created quite sensation.-
Those who had voted against the amend
ment recognizing in it direct insult
both from the Governor and also those
who had signed it. Bitter speeches were
made in both houses and by both par
ties. In the Senate several motions
were made in the following order: to
refer to committee Of one, to refer to
the African Church of Columbus, to send
back to His Ercelency. 1t was finally
laid on the table, and directed to be re.
corded on the journals by strict party
vote,
On Saturday morning motion was
made to correct the journal so as to
strike it out, and in support of that mo-
ton the law was cited-Swan & Crich-
field, SIS, sec. 9. The Republicans adj
mitted they had no right to have it re-
corded, but determined to stand by their
action. In the House it was laid on the
eable and has not found friends enough
to remove it.
On Saturday, in the House, a large
number of bills were introduced,
among which is one to allow part of the
earnings Of convicts to go to their fami-
lies; one to dispense with security for
cost in certain cases, land allow the Pros
ecuting Attorney, instead of the Court,
to arraign criminals.
The Senate discussed the bill increas-
ing the salary of the Supreme Judges
from $4,000 to $1,000. This bill was
made test question on the subject of
the increase of fees and salaries, and was
defeated. By this vote a large amount
of business tnat would otherwise have
been needlessly brought before the Leg
islature, will be avoided.
On Monday the Senate passed the bill
to suspend State and County officers
while under indictment. This bill gives
the Court power to remove any officer
who has been indicted for the wilful
abuse of his trust, and appoint in his
place during the pendency of the case
In case the defendant is found not gull.
/ ty he is restored to his Office. This is
perhaps little strong, yet there appears
to be necessity for it. The Senate also
passed bill allowing soldiers in the U
S. Soldiers Asylum to vote. This will
be modified in the Houseto require then
to vote for candidates in the township
and county of their residence, like the
soldiers voting law of 1868.
Most of the day was spent in tht
House in reading new bills and resolu-
tons, among which was the Hamilton
County reform bill, Cincinnati corpora
ton bill, and a bill to allow counties
townships, cities or villages to vote ;
tax to build railroads
In the House yesterday the Sciott
i County contested election case was dis
cussed without coming to a vote. Th,
member who now holds the seat claim
to be elected by twenty three of a ma
iIjjaity. His opponent has shown that HI
received eighteen votes from person
who have more negro blood than white
and fifteen illegal whitesvotes.
/ To-day the Blakeslec case is undc
consideration. This man represent
Williams County under q decision o
Atty Gen. West, while another Repre-
sentative is representing the same coun
']ty, in connection with two other coun
ties, under the districting of the State a
directed by the Constitution of Ohio.
i BY the vote of these two men the Fiji
teenth Amendment was forced througl
4 the House.
| The Senate yesterday had under con
sideration the bill making the Treasu
: rer's office salarie,l Office instead O
paying a per cent. as it now does. Thi
will not very materially change the pa,
of the Treasurers in most counties, bu
, in some it will make a materia.. increase
and besides that it pays according t.
population and not according to the Ia
Dor performed.
i The Soldiers Orphans Home wa
also under consideration. This is th
lpet Of the Grand Army of the Repuh
lic," and / find many in favor of it VIII
were instrumental in transferring, con
trary to law, SSoo,ooo of the '.Soldiers
Relief Fund.- from its legitimate pur
pose to the State Fund, when soldier
widows and orphans were in muc
greater need than they now are. A.
sEEThe Traupmann tragedy set quit
number of the volatile brains Of Pari
mad. There was Zouave, who declal
ed himself to have been Traupmann'
accomplice; an artilleryman attemptc
to kill, in a wine shop,a person of whor
he knew nothing, and on being arreste
loudly proclaimed himself to be an &C
complice, and declared that he sswishe
to be as celebrated as Traupmann