Fayette County herald. [volume] (Washington [Washington Court House], Fayette County, O. [Ohio]) 1860-1???, 1872-03-07
From Columbus.
Special Dispatch to the Cincinnati Gazette.
COLUMBUS, March l.
IMPORTANT ELECTION BILL.

IMPORTANT ELECTION BILL.
There was an earnest and prolong-
ed debate in the House to-day upon
the bill introduced by Mr.. Shank, of
Hamilton, providing that judges of
elections, after the counting of votes
has commenced, shall not postpone
the counting of votes, or adjourn for
any time or to any place, or remove
the ballot-box from the custody or
presence of all the judges ofsuch cleo
tions, and the judges shall continue
at the place of voting to count all the
votes cast until the counting is fully
completed.
The prososed bill is an exceedingly
wise one, and being on its passage
this morning, Mr. Babcock, of Cleve-
land, moved an amendment to make
it apply to the city of Cincinnati alone.
This was promptly voted down, as
was right. The evil which the bill
is intended to remedy is liable to be
practiced in any portion of the State,
and has been frequently practiced out
| side of Cincinnati as well as within its
limits.
Mr.. Wilson, of Madison, then pro-
posed as an amendment that in ease
judges failed anywhere TO comply with
che provisions of the law such frilure
shall not invalidate the election. Upon
the propriety of this amendment there
was much difference of opinion devel-
oped.
While it was under discussion Mr.
Williams, of Fayette, moved an amend
ment to the amendment to the effect
that the judges of election shall not
drink or admit to the place of count
ing the ballots any Intoxicating or
spirituous liquors during the progress
of the election or the counting of the
votes. Upon this there arose pro-
longed debate, which was not finished
when the House took recess at noon.
In.the afternoon the debate was re-
newed. Messrs. Williams of Fayette,
Waddle of Hardin, Wickerham OF
Highland, johnson of Stark, and
Thompson of Columbiana, spoke in
favor of the amendment, and Messrs.
Strong, Of Hamilton; Pillars, of Allen
Moore, of Putnam Creighton, oi
Hamilton; Seitz, of Seneca, and
Thompson, of Lucas, against it. The
principal argument of those who spoke
favorable to the amendment was thai
as the bill is introduced to preserve
the purity of the ballot box, that OBJ
ject could not be better subserved thar
by prohibiting the use of stimulant!
to the judges on election day. Thos,
who opposed declared that the amend
ment was entirely foreign to the OBJ
jects of the bill; that it is the duty o
the people to see that men of goot
moral habits, and those only. ar
made judges; that to prescribe thei
. ienee of the Legislature, and that
: they faithfully and properly count tn
ballots legally deposited in the box
that is all the law can reasonably o
: proftably require. The argument
on both sides were presented witt
considerable ability, wit, and force
but those ofthe opponents of Mr. vii
liams' proposition, prevailed, and hi
amendment was lost by vote of 3
) to So.
Mr. Williams, from the committe
on Railroads and Telegraphs, report
ed a number of amendments. to TIN
House bill to protect stockholders il
railroad companies. The Amendments
were agreed to, and the bill was OF
dered to be read the third time mex
Wednesday. !,
Mr. Williams, from the committe
on Federal Relations, reported som
amendments to the House Joint reso
: : luton instructing the Ohio delegation
! in Coagress to so legislate for the i'm
provement of the Ohio river as to Sc
cure navigation on that stream durin
: the whole year. The resolution, a
: amended, was adopted unanimously
|, Mr.. Williams, from the committe
! on Railroads and Telegraphs, report
ed several amendments to the Hous
: bill amendatory of the act to author
= ize cities of the first class to bull
y railroads and lease or operate tn
same. Amendments agreed to, an
: bill ordered to be read third time o.
Wednesday.