The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1877-03-23
OHIO Legislature.

SOLUMBUs, mhrcn L. lne epeclhl
legislative committee appointed to Inves-
tigste the late: :Ashtsbuls disaster, sub
mitted their report to-day, accompanied
by vaat amount OF testimony which
was ordered printed. The committee
after going into details showing the i'm.
perfections in the bridge, report as fol-
lows:
FirsL-There were from eighty to one
hundred lives lost by the failure of the
bridge.
Second-The bridge went down under
an ordinary load, by reason of defects in
its original construction.
Third-The defects in the original con-
struction OF the bridge could have been
discovered at any time after its erection
by careful inspection, such as the i'm
portsnce of the structure demanded, and
thus prevented the sacrifice of life and
property. The truth is the bridge was
liable TO 60 down at any time
during the last ten or eleven years,
under loads that might at any time be
brought upon it IN an ordinary course OF
the compsny's business, and it is most
remarkable that it did not sooner occur.
1t would be needless to say that an engi-
neer would be derelict in his duty who
did not provide in his construction of
bridge against wind, snow, ice and the
vibration of q rolling load. They are as
much to be anticipated and provided
against, as the law of gravity. This re-
port is accompanied by bill a specify
ing how bridges of different spans shall
be built.
In the Senate to-day, communications
were received from the Governor nom
mating Charles G. Walcott, of Colum-
bus, to be director OF the penitentisry,
and Samuel Taylor, of Logan county, to
be director of the institution for the
deaf and dumb.
A bill was introduced to compel the
recording OF chattel mortgages and deeds
filed with township clerks.
In the House the following bills were
passed: House bill tor equalizing the
value of the shares of National banks;
Senate bill to provide that only owners
OF paid up stock shall vote on question
of the consolidation of one railroad with
another; Senate bill to compel private
banking companies to publish annual
statements OF their business the same as
national banks.
A bill was introduced to make assess.
ors OF property ineligible for two years
after having served term of two years.
Reception 10 Hon. Henry WattersOn
LOUISVILLE, March 22-The public
reception to Hon. Henry Watterson
came of 10. night and was an imposing
affair. Judge Bennett, chairman of the
Democratic State Committee, presided.
At 8 P. NJ. Mr.. Watterson appeared be-
fore the audience, surrounded by the
most prominent citizens of Louisville,
and was enthusiastically cheered. An
address of welcome WAS delivered by
Hon. Charles d. Jacobs, mayor OF the
city. In response MIR. Wstterson re-
viewed the circumstances culm-
mating in the defeat OF Mr.. Tilden,
telling the story of the last session
of Congress in straightforward way.
He then discussed the present situation
of the country, declaring the hope of the
South lay exclusively in material devcl-
opment. He advocated southern rail-
road to the Pacific, and said that if the
Mississippi ran through New England it
wonld have been leveed up to the moon
long ago. He spoke temper
ately OF the President, promising
that the South would give
non.partisan support to such of mis- meas
ures as were just. As for the Democratic
party, it would not be discouraged or di-
vided. Mr.. Hayes might strengthen the
Republican party in the South by gen.
uine policy of reconciliation and reform.
He hoped that the President would, for
the Republican party in the South needs
improvement, and Mr.. Watterson
wanted to see it good enough to respect.
He closed by predicting that the Dem
ocrstic party would prepare, by peaceful
arts and the development OF the material
interests OF the country, to come into
power four years hence as the friend and
promoter of true American citizenship.
After the reception, banquet was given
him