Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1870-04-21
THE LAST HOURS OF THE GENERAL
ASSEMBLY
A Highland Fling in the House.
Baber, Bombast and Bad Blood.

Highland Fling in the House.
Baber, Bombast and Bad Blood
The working session of the General
Assembly, closed on Saturday night or
rather Sunday morning. The scenes
and incidents in both Houses were of
the most extraordinary character. The
Senate at about nine O'clock went into
secret session and did not adjourn until
3 O'Clock on Sunday morning. The
question before the Senate was the con-
firmation of the nominations made bv
the Governor on Friday for trustees of
the Soldiers and Sailors Orphans Home
and the 1T mination of Captain John I'll.
Groves for Superintendent of the State
House. Three Senators were absent
Messrs. Catch, Yeatman and Lord-two
Republicans and one Democrat. This
left as working force, IL Republicans
and II Democrats. The Democrats re-
fused to vote for the Republican ap-
pointments Oh the Board, on the ground
that there was not fair division, or in
other words that there were not enough
Democrats on the Board. This and 9TH
er objections were made and there was
every time tie vote.
Mr. Catch had been pre- ent during
the day, but had gone home in the even
ing not anticipating any trouble of tn 3
kind. He was telegraphed mt once the
state of affairs aud instructed to put in
a certain appearance on the $50 a. IN.
train. The Democrats teleTraphed to
Lord to the same effect, and the Senate
sat itself down grimly, in two factions
10 wait the coming of reinforcenents
The situation between midni ght and 3
o'clock was extremely interesting. The
Governor, Private Secretary and Clerks
remained in position at The Executive
Department to await Developments
The Sergeant-at-arms insisted on keep
ing every body out of the Senate cham
Der, and every Senator in, and over the
way the House ragged like Democratic
City Convention.
In the Senate chamber Senators were
laughing, talking, swearing or sleeping,
according to constitutional peculiarities
All watched with great anxiety the
slow going of the hands of the clock
toward the opinous $50 that was TO he
the Waterloo of the struggle. Republi-
cans were sure of Catch, aud Democrats
hoped for Lords coming. In the mean
time speeches were made. Senator
Jones introduced resolution with a
magnificent whereas, in regard to the
Cardiff Giant, resolving that on account
of his soiidity, immense proportions,
great geological Importance. unques-
toned agricultural merit, and uncertain
standing in the world, that the Cardiff
Giant be invited to take a seat on the
floor of the Senate chamber
Mr.. Jones read this resolution himself
and spoke on the subject for over an
hour, making many humorous reference
es, which were much enjoyed. This
speech is said to have been one of the
best impromptu efforts ever made in the
Senate under like circumstances.
Other speeches were made, and these
with the sonorous snoring of the sleep
ing members made up the music of the
midnight session.
About 2:30 a detachment was sent out
from the Governors Office to lock after
Catch, the Butcher of the hour. Train
was in, and detachment were sure they
saw Catch coming up High street.
They made quick steps toward him and
shouted joyous greeting. The man
lodged, and detachment were confoun-
ded. After while detachment came on
another man who looked like Catch
He lodged. Detachment followed, and
finally discovered that the individual
was Catch, and that he was trying 10
ortmaneuver them, supposing that they
were Democrats, with avowed purpose
TO detain him on some pretext.
Detachment made triumphant entry
into the Capitol, and Senator Catch was
soon in his seat. The nominations of the
Governor for Trustees of the Soldiers
Home were finally all confirmed. The
nomination of Captain Groves for Super
intendent of the state House was reject
ed after warm fight. a message to this
effect was conveyed to the Governor, and
he nominated Charles NJ. Ridgway for
the place. This nomination was con-
firmed, and at O'clock on Sunday
morning the Senate adjourned to meet
at Z a. m. on Monday. The majority of
the Senators went home, but few re-
aained stretched upon the sofas, TO
finish their maps upon the scene of the
struggle
The session in the House commenced
early in the evening, and the current for
u time flowed much as usual, with an
evident dispo sition to be hilarious at
every available opportunity. Many la
dies were present among the spectators,
expecting ajolly and an exciting ses-
sion.
Mr.. Hughes, of Highland, about pine
O'Clock, threw q thunderbolt at the
House, in the shape of the protest of the
Democratic members against the pas
sage of the Fifteenth Amendment. Mr..
Hitchcock in the chair, ruled the pro-
test out of order, on the ground that il
contained language impugning TO mo-
tives of members.
Mr.. Callen made an emphatic speech
on the general principles of blowing off
steam and appealed from the decision of
the Chair. Baber made miscellaneous
speech and during his effort the House
worked itself into fury. The members
referred to in the protest sought an op-
portunity to defend themselves. Mr.
McVay, of Shelby, said something that
caused Mr.. Parr, of Licking, to plunge
toward him with violent language and
extraordinary gesticulation. There was
wholesome interference on the part of
members and the "Lickingn gentleman
su bsided.
While Mr.. Cunningham, Speaker Of
the House, was speaking on the floor
Messrs. Baber and Callen interrupted.
Baber it is said became so excited as to
calculate something very much like
you're liar!" This little alteration
brought many members to their feet and
caused intense excitement. Other
speeches were made and a better spirit
prevailed. The decision of the chair to
the effect that the protest was out of or
der was sustained by vote of A. to A.
Alta little after II o'clock the House
adjourned to meet on Monday morning
at half past six o'clock.
Both Houses will adjourn at a. m.
and the Excursion to Washington will
leave at 8 o'clock.-[Columbus Jour.
-<---
The will of Gaorcre pao hody wac ad