The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1874-01-13
Written for Tho Spirit of Democracy.]

COLUMBUS. OHIO, Jdnuat Y, lOtf
Ed. SPIRIT: Doubtless many OF your
--l----..A-e.aat-ha had the znnnortnpitY of
observing the manner in which the
Lower House Of the Legislature is or
ganized. For their benefit give you
the following brief sketch:
Every two years, on the first Monday
in January, the members gather in the
Hall of the House, grouped here and
there without regard for either order or
dignity and, like lot Of school boys on
the first day of school, try to know their
fellow members.
At ten o'clock the Secretary of State
ascends the Speakers stand, calls the
motley crowd to order, and by virtue OF
his office declares the House convened.
Some one of the old members is called
to the Clerks desk the roll of members
is called, and by squads they are march
ed up and sworn in. The Secretary Of
State then announces that the next busi
ness before the House 10 the election of
a Speaker; names of candidates are pre-
sented. and members vote their respect
i've choice as the rull is called.
The Speaker thus selected is then con
Quoted to the chair, by committee ap-
pointed for that purpose, and after de-
livering himself of his stereotyped edi-
ton of thanks, declares the order of bu
siness, and the Ohio House of Repre-
sentatives is ready to swell the vast &C
cumulation Of trash that already ensum-
bers our statutes.
Yesterday the Legislature of the Low.
er House convened and elected Hon.
George L. Converse their Speaker. Mr..
Converse is represented to be an able
man, ready dehater, and q fair paria
mentarian. Whilst he may make pop
alar and efficient Speaker, l cannot but
regard his election as calamity to the
Democratic majority.
The Republican minority is led by
such men as James Scott, of Warren
County, who is entering on his seventh
term in the Legislature. Scott is caus
tic speaker, with retentive memory as
to Democratic misdeeds, and by odds
the finest parliamentarian in the House.
After Scott comes Howland,of Ashtabu
la County fine speaker, and well vers
ed in political tactics. Then follows
Charley Grosvenor,of Athens, who loves
to snarl and growl better than he does
whisky punch, which is saying good
deal Converse taken from the hoor,his
mouth closed, leaves the Democratic lead
to one John n Haag, of Henry Coun-
ty, who is as flighty, as unbalanced, as
unsafe a leader as was ever selected for
any undertaking.
For these, and many other reasons
that will readily suggest themselves. l
deem the election of Mr. Converse, as
Speaker, a misfortune. Tactics must be
met with tactics; oratory with oratory;
rsilery with railery, and who but Con
verse, in the present House,is capable OF
filing the demand?
The House is composed mainly of far
mers, merchants and doctors, and it is
really puzzing TO know who is to be
Chairman of the Judiciary Committee,
and who are to compose it. A Black
stone or fancy may be in the assem-.
blage for aught know, but if so,he has
yet failed to display his legal accumen.
Who are to compose the Finance
Committee perilous committee to q
party when entrusted to green members
1t may be that Rothschild or Stewart
is here also if so,let him report to Con-
verse instanter 1t may be that Con
verse will bring order from chaos, and
success to the Sixty first Legislature, but
your correspondent, in common with
many other Democrats, fears the re-
suit.
Scott with his tactics, Rowland, with
his oratory, and Grosvenor with his snar
lery, will make things lively for their
Democratic opponents the next two win