The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1876-02-08
[writtsn for The Spirit Of Democracy. J
LETTER FROM COLUMBUS,
'CoLuxBUs, U Jan -2S lS

ED SPrRIr: The Geghan Bill was led
as . lamb to The slaughter to-day. The
Senate spent the whole day in the discus
sion Of the bill repeating that far-famed,
much abused and greatly misrepresen.ed
law. The discussion was altogether upon
the Democratic side Of the House not a
word was uttered by single Republican
in support Of the repeal bill not single
word was said against the Geghan bill It
sell, by any of them. The expose Of the
arguments and assertions and misrepre-
sentstions on this bill by the Republicans
iu the late canvass was terrible. Burns,
ot the Richland District, was asked re.
peatedly il he had said in q speech on the
stump that seventy Catholic Jesuits we're
in the Senate. urging its passage. and
threatening Democratic members il they
did not vote for it, but it was "mum" with
him. The proof was on the floor that he
had said II, ard every Senator Oh the floor
who was member knew that it was false
They were asked il they had not asserted
that it was the drst step toward division
of the common school fund of the State,
knowing that the Constitution emphati-
cally prohibited the division Of the school
fund; but it was mo 60" with these gen.
tlemen. Nots word would they utter !;
hut having pledged themselves to repeal
the bill, they did it, and it is now at rest in
its little bed. "a ssiS -
House Bill No %. by Mr.. Holloway,
came up on its third reading and passed
the House to day. The bin provides for
the reorganization of the Ohio Peniten-
tiary,i q, turn the Democratic officials
ont and Oil their places with Republicans
The aniinus Of the bill Is, "To the VIC
tors belongs the spoils |" The author. OF
the bin moved N amend, by adding st the
end OF section 80 as follows: "Seotienal
doctrines in matters of religious belief
shallnot be taught by the. Chaplain or
any other person who may be permitted
to hold religious instruction within said
prison, but If any prisoner desires COM
munication with minister or instructor
Of his particular faith, on application to
the w arden, II shallbe allowed under and
In conformity with the general regula-
tionsof the prison; provided, that the
same shalhincurnoy expense to the State.
Groom, Of Franklin, moved to strike
out all aiter the word thirty-nine, and in
sert the law OF last Winter; called the
Geghsn bill; lost-yeas A, nays So
Hitchcock, Of Geaugs, moved 10
amend, by striking out all after the word
thirty.nine and insert, Any person upon
application to the Warden shall be allow
ed personal consultation with q minister
or religious instructor Of his particular
faith. under such general regulations as
shall be established for intercourse with
prisoners, made applicable to all religious
Instructors, and which shall not interfere
with the routine and discipline Of the
prison; provided, no expense shall there.
by be entailed upon the State" This
proposition prevailed ; yeas 58, nays 46.
/ q Converse, Of Franklin, moved to strike
out oil the words after thirty nine and in.
sert, "The BaaId of Directors shall al
low the use of the Chapel to each of the
religious denominations, in their turn, for
religious worship and instruction on the
Sabbath provided, such regulations shall
be OF no expense TO the State" This
Iproposi,ion was voted down by strict
party. vote.
You will observe popularity in all Of
these amendments to the bill. They all
contain the provision that the religious
instruction Of the inmates Of the only in.
stitu,ion In the State, which Is not dead
weight upon the Treasury but on the
contrary pays Its own expenses and adds
many thousands to it, shall cost nothing
The Legislature, the Judiciary, the Be
nevolent Institutions and the Commits
sions. like leeches, cry "Give, give = ebu!
tne unrorgunate, hard working prisoneI
! seems 10 have no religious interests
which any party is willing to respect, if il
costs anything. esf. ne.
| When the Converse proposition wal
rejected, I offered the following amend
ment: "All persons confined in the Peni
tentiary shall enjoy the constitutions
right to worship Almighty God accord
ing to the dictates of their own con
sciences, subject to such rules as the Di
rectors may prescribe preserving the ne
cessary prison discipline. promoting hab
its OF industry in the conyicis, and iittinJ
them for citizenship when they leave ii
walls" This amendment shared th
same fate as it's predecessors; it was de
; feated by yeas 4S, nays 60 TwoR pub
licans voted tor il, but afterwards chang
ed their votes, leaving the result of yea
46, nays60. ng1o 9aei7 adI :. esiiile
Y Seyealothe propositions were offer
ed on the same subject. Al Republics
moved 10 lay the billand the amendment
! on the table, and it carried. What wa
!, the matter! The Hitchcock amendmen
carried by most Of the Democrats votin,
. for it, when they saw they could get moth
ing recognizing the indefeasible right Q
6 these men. as,vell as others. to- WORSHIP
e according to thei. choice. The Republi
cans had suddenly discovered that Wit
the aid Of Democrats they had done th
same thing nearly which they had stigms
tixed as "Pandering to Popish Influences