The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1876-02-03
FROM COLUMBUS.
THE REPEAL OF THE GEGHAN
LAW IN THE SENATE.
SENATE CHAMBER,
Columbus, Jan. 81, 1876.
EDITOR STARK COUNTY DEMoCRAT:--

EDITOR STARK COUNTY DEMOCRAT -
Your very welcome sheet puts in an
appearance regularly each week in the
Senate Chamber and is eagerly sought
by number of Senators, as it comes
from one of the finest towns and richest
agricultural counties Of the State.
Bills are being yet daily introduced in
both branches of the General Assembly,
but up to this time few have become
laws. Friday last was somewhat lively
in the Senate, more enjoyed by the Dem
ocrats than our opponents, The repeal
ofthe so-Called Geghan law was put on its
passage and the Republicans tried hard
to get it through without discussion, but
the Democratic members stoutly objected
and held forth in several argumentative
and excellent speeches upon the features
embraced in and secured by the act.
They showed wherein the law was in
strict accordance with the Constitution
and principles of religious liberty and
that it was just, necessary and whole
some measure. They also demonstrated
that the act was in full accord with the
genius and spirit of our political system,
giving to one denomination no privilege
over another. In the Geghan law was no
reference whatever to the school fund
it contemplated no disturbance or divi-
sion of that fund and showed how gross
ly and slanderously the measure had
been misrepresented.
They claimed it was an impartial and
just law, securing full liberty of con-
science to the unfortunate inmates of The
reiormatory institutions of the State, Civ
ing the privilege of claiming the services
of a clergyman of their own creed in ill
ness or approaching death. The Demo-
Gratis called upon the Republican Sena-
tors to arise and sustain their charges
and asseverations of last fall's campaign
referred to the base lie that Catholic
priests were in attendance on the Legis-
lature last year driving Democrats to
vote for the Geghan law but not one of
the valiant and pious screechers opened
his mouth. All, however, voted for the
repeal of this law, that secured religious
liberty to the inmates of the punitive
and reformatOry institutions of the State
this too, without daring to say one
word in their own vindication or defense.
Surely, beautiful exhibition in a delib-
elative body and in a land where free
discussion is an essential element in our
political system, being one of the instru.
mentalities in forming a correct public
judgement. Bad indeed must be that
cause in this country whose champions
fear to take up the gauntlet and meet the
encounter. The cause that will not bear
public discussion is surely in articuIO
mortiS.
The falsifying and clamor of the last
campaign had to be vindicated after a
fashion, and hence the repeal of a law
which has been read by comparatively
few of the Republican voters of Ohio
The prejudice of many was aroused by
the meanest and grossest misrepresenta
tions. The sneaking course of the Re-
publ an members is a triumph to our
side and fully vindicates the position OF
the Democracy. 1t was almost pititul to
see how mean the Republican members
felt at their disagreeable position!
Ah what tangled web they weave,
When first they counsel to deceive.