Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1870-03-24
Morgan Raid Glaims-The Leg
islature.

COLUMBUS, OHIo, March Is, 1870.
EDITOR JoURxAL-Dear Sir: Some
two weeks ago I informed your read
ers that an application for a Man
damus was pending in the Supreme
Court to compel the State Auditor to
pay the Morgan Raid claims, and
then promised that would keep you
posted on the progress of the
case. The case was heard before
that court on the 5th of March, and
on Tuesday of this week the opinion
was announced in favor of the ap.
plication. The court granted an al
ternQtive mandamus-thatis, directed
it's mandate to the Auditor to either
pay the claims or show cause why
he should not be compelled to do
so.
This is not decisive of the case
1t shows that the court considers
that there is sufficient merit in the
application to put the Auditor on
his defense. By the rules of the
court the answer of the Auditor will
not be due until the 18th Of April.
This puts it beyond the present term,
so these claimants will have to wait
until the next term before final de-
cision can be reached.
The Legislature passed the Agri-
culture College Bill this week
This is the most important measure
that has been before that body this
session.
Some ten years ago the Congress
of the United States granted to each
State large amount of public lands,
the proceeds of which were to be
used for the establishment of col
lege in which Agriculture, the Me-
chanic Arts and Military Science
should be taught.
Ohio's share of this land was dis
posed Of by the State, and it pro
duced the sum of $342, ,450 80.
This sum has been upon interest for
some time, and the whole, principal
and interest, amount now to some
thing upwards of four hundred and
ten thousand. This is the foun-
dation upon which the State propo-
ses to establish q great Agri-
cultural and Mechanical school
Not more than ten per cent.
of this fund can ever be used for col
lege buildings or for the purchase of
lands for experimental farms. The
act provides for the appointment Of
10 Trustees, one in each Congress
sional district, who are to be sp-
pointed by the Governor, by and
with the advice and consent of the
Senate-who are to locate said col,
lege in some central portion Of the
State. Some of the central coun-
ties are offering an amount, in land
and money, as high as two hundred
thousand dollars, to procure its loca-
ton. Of course, the Trustees will
locate where they can get the best
offer. The institution will be able to
commence with capital Of over
100000. 1t would seem that q
very efficient institution might be
based upon such fund.
Another important bill was passed
this week. 1t authorizes counties,
cities, towns and townships, to aid in
the construction of Rail Roads, upon
a msjority vote of the voters within
each municipal body named. not to
exceed FIVE per cent. of the taxable
property on the duplicate. This law
may be of doubtful policy, but it
seemed to be demanded by a very
large portion of the people of the
State. The Senate passed a resolu.
ton this morning to adjourn on the
3lst of March, which will probably
be concurred in by the House
Should the adjournment take place
then, very important business will
have to go over until next winter.
GALLIA.