The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1877-02-01
COLUMBUS LETTER.
COLUMBUS, ONO,
january Goth, 18TH
Editor Of the Democrat:

Editor Of the Democrat:
You saw, in your last Issue, that
no Columbus letter received in time
for publication. I an astonished at
the irregularity of the mails. There
must be some neglect either in for
warding or the delivery of news, for
l wrote you fully from Ashtabula a
description of the fallen bridge, the
loss of life, as observed by the CON
mlttee and derived from the tcstindo-
ny so far taken, which was matted
to you from Cleveland on Saturday.
lass. l thought our people would
like to read a description of this hor-
rible disaster, SO far as the commit
tee were then able to describe it.
The committee took the testimony
Of numerous witnesses at Ashtabula
and Cleveland, and then adjourned
the session and further examination
to Columbus; where it is still pro-
crossing as the witnesses appear.
Among other testimony the commit
tee took that of Charles Collins last
Thursday, who was chief Engineer
on the Lake Shore road, and between
that time and Friday morning, he
committed suicide. 1t was thought
that the appalling disaster and the
searching examination of the COM
mittee, had something to do with his
rash, and 1 presume, insane act.
We took another deposition, that of
the Engineer of the second locomo.
tive that went down. This man was
badly crippled, lying in bed; ofgood
mental capacity and great physical
endurance. His statements are re-
markable, but too lengthy for an cut
line without impairing its import.
1 think he will recover.
Senator Lewis school bill is before
the committee and has elected con-
siderable discussion, which showed
a great diversity of opinion. The
committee rose without reaching any
definite conclusion and will sit again.
The interest of the public school
book monopoly is dopbly represent.
ed by an under current in the Sen.
ate. The measure promises to be-
come as complicated as the proposed
dog law.
The forenoon on Friday was prin.
cipally consumed in aprofessed com
mission to investigate the nature and
cause of hog cholera, to suggest some
cure or preventative and make re.
port of their investigation to the
next General Assembly. I support.
ed this measure in all its substantial
and practical bearings; but there
was such a diversity of opinion
among Ser ators and it was so load,
ed down by amendments that the
whole matter was laid on the table
for future consideration.
Respecting the Compromise fol
counting the Electoral votes for Pre-.
sident, there is much division in the
minds of Senators. Many of them
cordially indorse it as the best means
for a peaceable solution of the com
plication, while others bitterly OPP.
pose and denounce it as a bold usur.
patton of power on the part of Con-
gress. The democrats generally in
dorse it, while many republicans de
nounce it as a scheme to count in
Tilden. Some of the republicans
seem to acquiesce in it and others
say nothing expressive of their opin:
ion pro or con.
Rules for the considerativp9f chs
codifying the statutes r iustrsport
ed in the Senate, and by consent lait
on the table to be printed in adj
vance Ct other business. If the Gen
eral Assembly takes up this branch
of legislation with the purpose O.
making any substantial headwai, The
corn will be planted in the spring
before the session closes. The de
tails and labor of this legislation is
immense, for under the Constitution
each act has to be read and consid
cred, for it is thought if adopted a:
a whole, and the old basis repealed
there would be no laws operative il
the State. When the rules are print
ed and agreed upon this question
will come up and be carefully con
sidered. A. HAINES.