The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1875-07-30
AN ATTEMPTED UsURPATToN


Have any of our readers forgotten the
f'Potter Bill, F" which for time occupied
the attention Of the late Ohio Legisla-
turel Its infamous provisions were well
understood in this part of the State at
the time it was under consideration, but
as the blaekness of this infamous at
tempt to legislate away the right of the
people Of the third city in the State has
been somewhat overshadowed by the
equally infamous record made by the
same Legislature, and may by some be
almost entirely forgotten, We propose to
state a few of the facts in the case. Here
they are:
A ring Of real estate jobbers in the city
OF Toledo desired that city 10 adopt
certain scheme They found the Mayor,
City Solicitor, and Board Of Aldermen
ready to adopt their scheme, but the
Council Cthe more numerous body in
fiexibly opposed. Thereupon they sent
a large delegation down 10 Columbus,
and selecting Senator Potter as their
plant tool, I've believe the people Of
Hancock had something to do in elect
ing Mr. Potter prevailed on him to in
troduce bill to abolish the Council and
extend the terms Of the Mayor and City
Solicitor from April till the following
November. The two representatives
from the city of Toledo earnestly oppos-
ed this fraud, and the people Of the city,
without distinction of party, protested
against it; but in the face of this and the
plainly and palpabiy infamous character
Of the measure, it was taken up in the
Democratic caucus, adopted as n party
measure, and whip and spur were put to
work to secure its adoption. The history
of the bill is familiar. It passed the
Senate by a strict party vote, but, upon
its first trial, failed in the House. Then
the ring redoubled their efforts and ap-
pliances; an amendment to submit the
bill to a vote of the people of Toledo was
voted down, and, few days before the
day fixed for n sine die adjournment the
bill passed the House. Itnow transpired
that in their eager haste TO trample upon
the rights of the people of Toledo they
had at the same time abolished board
of Democratic Alderman in Cincinnati
The Cincinnati members, who had help
ed by their votes to perpetrate this III
iquity, took the alarm. Mayor johnson
teIegraphed orders to reconsider, and re-
consider il was, and so dOctored in the
Senate as to apply only to Toledo, in
which shape it was again sent to the
House. But too late. The time of final
adjournment was rapidly approach
ing, and, notwithstanding the efforts of
the ring, the gavel of the Speaker fell
while ons of their plant tools was max
ing frantic efforts to get this crowning
infamy of the most infamous Legislature
Ohio has ever seen before the House.
These are the sober facts of history.
and what comment shall be passed upon
them3 Is it possible to find words with
which to. characterize such a piece of
villainy, SO shane-faeeGly and reckless
ly attempted? Honest Democrats of
Hancock county, is it for this work that
you select men, and clothe them with
the power and authority of legislators?
Is the strength of your organization in
the State of Ohio to be used. to shackIe
the people of n section, to the end that
ring may rob and plunder them? There
was not the shadow of excuse for such
legislation. Nine tenths of the people
of Toledo We're well satisfied with their
government, and the attempt TO change
it was n plain and simple fraud and usur-
patton, as every man who voted for it
knew, and as many of them, in private
conversation, confessed. But like the
Geghan bill! 1t SoaS a party measure.