The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1875-02-25
Letter from the State Capital.

BusinesS-"Specidl Legis-
Wood County Seat Ques-
t,on.-Prosperity Of Public Msti-
tutions.-,Stredns.
COLUMBUS, o., Feb. 90, 1875. |
ED. Press :-BusineSs in the Gener-
al Assembly has moved off at COM
mendable rate of speed since the peri
odical adjournment, and yet the Won
der is, among those unacquaihted with
the details of legislative work, why so
little, apparently, is accomplished, or
at least, so little of general interest.
1--WE rise to explain )" One promineSt
defect in the State Constitution of
1903, was the failure of that instru-
ment to empower the Legislature to
enact general laws, which would save
to the State the necessity of SO much
special Legislation. Our present Con-
stitution is a sroat Improvement upon
the old one in this respect, but multi
piled new interests have sprung up in
our State during the last twenty years
necessarily requiring more or less leg
islatien. and such legislation as will
meet these new interests. The triple
interests of Railroads. Iron Manufac.
ture and Mining were all in their in
fancy twenty years since. Many of
the towns brought into being through
the agency of these industries, were
not even on paper at that time. For
these towns special school districts are
to be formed, such districts empower
ed to borrow money to build school
houses, besides many other interests
to be .subseryed by especial legista-
| tion." 49,
To say this state ct things ought
not to be does not meet the exigencies
for the simple reason that facts are
stubborn, ugly realities to dispose of.
Two more judgships were created
for one part of the second judicial
district this week, while as an offset,
the Superior Court in Greene Co. was
ordered to s'close out" its business and
cease to be.
The Wood County seat question
which was set for Thursday last, was
left in the hands of its friends by their
request, for another week. This ques-
tion will obtrude itself upon the mind
of even locker on. Why does this,
simply local matter, awaken such
deep and tender interests in the minds
t of two or three gentlemen whose
homes and all their interests are in
other parts of the State? If it isn't
pure benevolence towards Perry ysburg
| we give it up. ..=.......
If members in attendance is the
measure of success, then eur State In
stitutions are making fine show OF
real prosperity, for their numbers are
rapidly increasing. This is especially
true of the Blind, Deaf & Dumb, and
Idiot Asylums, while tie Penitentiary
with the key of pardon quite frequent
ly opening its doors, is increasing the
number of its tenants. In speaking
Of pardons, we would not be under
stood as iutimating that the pardoning
power is used indiscriminatelv. There
is no function of the Governors Office
more delicate to exercise than this,
and yet none more Important to the
ends of justice. III,
The Committee of Inverligation
with reference to the canals and canal
lands of the State are 'pegging away
with becoming industry, but as. yet
have struck no very rich lead, or if so.
have kept the same from the Reporters.
The bill proposing to make the
State publisher of School books
was very gently released from the
COMMITTEE of the Whole" the other
day, at the suggestion Of its author
If he will please trOt it out where the
House can obtain fair clip at it, its
obsequies will follow in due time.
Gov. Allen is occasionally seen on
the floor of the House, with pleasant
smile and kind word for all.
"Old Prob" many thanks to his
kindness, has shut the north dosr
given us little more snow, invited
the coy breezes from the South to hold
their court for a day or two, and all
but the horses are happy. This part
of the world is poor place for boys
to be born and raised, because there
are positively no hills to slide down
A grand blunder in natures arrange
ments, but one that no repeating aci
can possibly. remedy. Bad for the
boys. .t..... ".