Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1877-02-16

Books,
Correspondence PERRrssrRe JouRvAL.
COLUMBUS, Feb 13, 1877.
Columbus is somewhat quiet thus far
this winter. Legislation 10 feirly under
way aud some questions 10 be determined by
that body will undoubtedly attract fair
lobby interest Different localities are
warming up on the sntject of new Peni.
tenliary; there will be M interesting fight
on the school book question, and various
matters Of local character will have
friends here in the lobby. BY the middle
Of M,rch the city will he fairly lively and
the saloons and places Of amuscment will
roap rich harvest.
We arc quite disposed to characterize the
existing Legislature AZ the weakest one
we have ever known. 1t is 20 natural for
us to magnify the men and things Of the
past, that those who were men when we
were boys we're giants, compared with those
who are men with us. / am not certain
but tho present Legislature il up to the
average standard oil its predecessors in this
State. II contains many good men. 1t is
true, there nre many young members, but
as a rule they are modest and have thus
far acquitted Themselves in a very credita
BILE manner. The northwestern portion Of
the State Is quite well represented, and the
representative from Wood, Dr. Sage, has
the confidence aud respect OF all, aud can
exert much influence when disposed to
do 80.
The decision Of the Supreme Court in
the Phelps Schroeder case il exciting some
comment among legal gentlemen and 9TH
crs who have observed its real character.
1t ID generally regarded as a reversal Of the
timc-honored doctrine that every person
accused Of crime must be considered limo.
cent until shown TO be guilty. More than
this, it is looked upon as M invitation for
County Clerks, who are bitter partisans
and somewhat unscrupulous as to the
means for the accomplishment Of their
to carry elections to suit them
selves by disfranchising such townships as
may not vote to suit them. How easily the
Democrats, with Democratic Secretary of
State, under that decision of the Supreme
Court, could have elected Tildenl The
Clerk may refuse to count the vote of
township, and there is no law to punish
him; and, under the decision OF the Court,
| do not see how he could be compelled to
record the vote. There is a secret history
connected with that decision which must
be known in order to get full under
standing Of the matter. Facts have come
to light which are full Of significance, but
this is not the time for their publicity.
The bill, introduced by DIR. Sage, pro-
viding for the transfer of Wood county to
The Lucas Judicial District, is meeting un-
expected opposition. Parties are here
rom Bowling Green working against it.
lni the Democratic members Of the Legis-
Iature seem disposed to regard it MS n re-
lection upon a Democratic Judge. Per-
laps a movement looking to the impench-
nent Of said official might change their |
views respecting this bill, but donbt it.
Senator Swans ditch bill, which does not
meet with the approval of your County
aud others interested, was
passed by the Senate and House, but in the
latter body the vote was reconsidered and |
ihe bill has been so remodeled that can
not undertake to give its features. It's
friends claim that the bill, ms IL now stands,
will greatly facilitate the construction of |
litches that it is free from the processes
'f delay which have proved SO vexatious
in existing and previous statutes There
Are but few Legislators who really under
stand the subject of drainage, or have the
east conception of the legislation best cal
,ulated to promote the interests of counties
where general system of ditching is neces-
iary. AS rule, those who know the least
lbout subject have the most to say about
I, and consequently our ditch laws have
,een far from perfect.
The everlasting subject of school books
8 up in various forms, but any attempt to
% into thi' subjec! would make this let
er too long. may refer to it hereafter. ]
lave some facts which may interest your
eadefa, particularly those in Perrys-
urg E.A.H.