The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1877-04-12
Letter from the State Capital.
COLUMBUS, April 6, 1877.
MILKING THE PUBLIC COW.

Forty years ago or more the State
undertook and carried through, at
great expense, the project of canal
from the navigablc waters of the Maui
NICE TO the Ohio river at Cincinnati.
This enterprise was OF untold value
10 this part of the State, which up 10
this date, was without means Of trans
portation for its rich surplus of pro-
ductions. So many miles of this canal
passed through the level country of
its construction found it a difficult
matter TO meet the want of a water
supply for the long levels. 10 meet
this want reservoir of several thou
sand acres was established in the
northwest part of Logan county. For
this purpose the State purchased land
and paid for it, but ever since its es-
tablishment there has been complaint
of overflow, to the damage of private
property. Claim after claim of this
kind has been pressed upon the Gen
eral Assembly and settled, until finally
commission was sent up there and
all the land which it was claimed as
being damaged by the Lewistown res
ervoir, as it is called, was surveyed,
bought and paid for by the State. AS
this was consummated it was hoped
that the days of peace had come, and
that the State would be allowed to
maintain her public works without
further t'let or hindrance." But now,
having MIXED the public COW to the
last drop, they demand that the work
be torn down and the land sold. But
what about the canal supplied by the
reservoir? Ans. ave want the land
occupied by the reservoir. OF course
there is talk about the unhealthiness
caused by the presence of this body of
water. But, for some unaccountable(? p
reason, the detrimental influence is
wonderfully increased since no more
claims can be preferred for high water,
overflow, &c. Whether the Railroad
interests have voice in this cry we
wil.not attempt to establish. A bill
for the abandonment of the reservoir
has passed the Senate, but when it
comes up in the House, we hope its
friends will have reason to think that
a drove of ten Thousand mules have
been paying their back. handed COM
pliments to it.
TUaNPIKEs AND TURNPIKE ROADS.
Central and Southwestern Ohio
have expended many millions of dol
lars in this class of internal improve
ments. Formerly they were all toll
roads, but latterlv most of them are
built as free roads under the turnpike
laws of the State. But to make all
points of those laws just and satisfac-
tory to the people, taxes the states
manskip of the Solons from that Sec
ton very severely. In fact, lit reminds
one of an extremely nervous man la
boring to adapt himself TO the use of
artificial teeth. While they set easy
in one place they lacerate in another
(pocket) place. While these gravel
roads, as they are called, are pleasant
to travel, the satisfactory adjustment
OF the laws relating to them are ga
bard road to trabble" for the law
makers.
MAKING IRON.
To the south east of the Capital City
of our State, from fifty to eighty miles
lay the "Hocking hills" grand and
glorious to the eye of the lover of ma
ture. But beneath their mighty domes,
deeply buried lays uncounted mines
of wealth, in the form of coal of I'M
exceptional quality, and iron, which
it is claimed, is as good as the best.
AS these twin minerals are here found
side by side, with the needed lime
stone, they are strongly attracting the
attention of the 'iron masters of the
country. Rumor has it that your
neighboring city of Akron is about to
lose its iron mill, the unrivalled facili-
ties for manufacturing in the location
indicated calling it away. Iron work
ers are claiming that, with the quality
of coal found here, the facility with
which it can be mined and the
immediate natural locality of the ma
tive iron ore, that pig iron can be pro-
duced for the small sum OF twelve
dollars per ton. If this be true, it re-
quires no eye Of prophet or seer to
see in the prospect of the near future
our buildings, fences, SO far as we
should need any, railroads, and q
thousand other necessities, met by this
most valuable of all metals. South
eastern Ohio is not, as rule, rich in
soil, and seemingly "made in hurry"
but if nature dealt sparingly of its
bounty on the surface SHE did not in
mineral treasures.
ITEMLETS.
The Constitutional Amendments re-
lating to the judiciary system of the
State were smashed on their final pas
sage.
The general appropriation bill in the
Senate hangs fire.
The Republican members from the
cities since Election day look smiling.
Home begins to have some attrac-
ton for the average Solon :" about
these days"
The cred Ribbon" has begun 10
| fiutter here at the State capital.
Several members are at home sick
Y.
STERLING, the Youngstown murder.
er, who was to have been hanged on
] March 2Sth, was reprieved by Cover.