The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1874-12-22
Written for The Spirit of Democracy
FROM COLUMBUS.
COLUMBUS, O., Dec Is, 1877

FROM COLUMBUS.
COLUMBUS, O., Dec Is, 1874.
Ed SPIRIT: There seems to be gen
eral disposition on the part of the pres
ent General Assembly to correct the ir-
resuarities and excuses growing out of
the present law regulating fees and sala
,ries of county officers These acts were
no doubt suitable to the times when they
were passed, but at the present time,in the
wealthy condition of the State, they fur
nish means of sudden wealth to the
successful candidate. ltis reported that
lMeome -s'---AAH-Aiasn of the State sev-
erai of the county officers each receive
from 81, 900 to $4,000 annually; and
one instance is given where Sheriff
charged and was paid over $3.50 for tax
ing prisoners from Jail to the court loom
during trials, and other excesses OF equal
amount are reported.
OF all the plans proposed it does not
appear that there will be any perceptible
change in the salaries of the county Off
GERS Of Monroe County, or other coun-
ties of like wealth and population. tits
the larger and more wealthy counties
where these complaints arise. s'
There seems to be an unusual amount
of amending the Constitution, proposed
at the present time. The decided vote
against the Constitution, in August last,
has not given sufficient caution to some
men that the people are not in favor of
change i'll their organic law, and several
changes are proposed, at tpresent. &.
Compulsory education, in OHIO, has
been again heard from, and a bill intro
duced for that purpose, With the amount
and general diffusion of educational fa-
cilities in Ohio, under one of the best
school systems in the world, and ample
means to support schools, it does seem
that we have not so far lost our interest
in popular education as to have to be
compelled to send children to school in q
State OF 30 much liberality and intclli-
gence.
The bill to appoint official reporters
for the Senate and House last week. Ii
has heretofore been the custom for each
House to appoint one by resolution
Their duties have been to report what
they please to the daily papers Of Colum-
BUS, and be paid for it by the State The
EonlJ advantage they we're was to draw
their pay, and that the members could
hold some person responsible for what
Ethey we're reported to have said on the
If,or Watson made his successful fight
against the bill as useless expenditure
Of money.
There has been some excitement here
over the fact Of the recent suit brought
against H. ]. Jewett and the Erie Rail-
! road. Ii would seem that in the great
|s3c, ess Mr.. Jewett had in getting to be
President of the Erie Railroad, at IA sala
ry of $4,000 year, with contract foI
ten years, is not likely to be the success:
that his friends anticipated, and the effor'
on the part of Mr. Jewett and the Erie te
do big ching has provoked the New
York State officials to inquire into the
proceedings and seek to enjoin the pay
ment of such large salary under con
tract which the railroad has no power to
make and also to further inquire into th,
, combination of the several trunk lines TO
the purpose of controlling and keepin!
up the prices of freights from west t.
east and return.
4. Il is claimed that these combinations
as well as the contract with Mr.. Jewet,
are against public policy, in violation o
the charters of the railroad companies
and detrimental to the interest Of tn
whole country, and the power of tn
! Courts have been called upon to rest al
I them from carrying out these contracts.
1t will be recollected that the Baltimor
!, , and Ohio Railroad refused to enter int
i this combination, and resisted them wit
fall Its power; and not only that, but il
officials exposed the arrangement to th
Ipubl;c. 'f .4.
While am referring to railroads per
NIT me to say that on many rai.roads,an
| believe on all the through lines, there
run what is called fast freight trains.-
II These fast freight trains are gotten up b
i ring composed generally of the railroa
officials and few others, who contract t
n run so many cars of such burden, fo
4 which they stipulate to pay the railroad
., certain sum. The fast freight company
r being the officers of the road. make th
d contract with themselves. The contrat
u gives them the time on the road again:
other trains, and they generally carr
8 about one-third more freight all the tim
$ than the reported burden of their car
u and charge higher rate for rapid shil
NJ ment. Thus they crowd out shipper
e who ship at ordinary rates and depreciat
the stock in the road below its actu'
\ worth. Several roads have Become banl
+ rupt by this process, while its officer
j were getting immensely wealthy. ,lfprt
: iceedings were instituted to inquire int
y these manipulations, undoubtedly muc
'ofgood would result to holders Of railroa
e stock and the people.
8 The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, Will
e she has been compelled to run fast freigl
q trains. has never allowed them to be bel
: or controlled by any ring or combin
ton, and has thus protected herself an
= the rights of shippers on her roads.