Fayette County herald. [volume] (Washington [Washington Court House], Fayette County, O. [Ohio]) 1860-1???, 1878-05-16
Reorganization.

out who might be found holding positions
in any of the penal, reformatory or be-
neyolent institutions of the State, and put
| Democrats in their places, To better the
condition of the inmates of any of these
institutions was at a great distance from
their object, which was to better the con-
dition of host of leeehes who have been
hanging on to the tail of the Democratic
party for sustenanee, and the HonOra5le(?)
Democratic members have not been scru-
puIous as to the means they have employ
ed to effect their object of recognizing
these institutions, as they call it. We call.
it disOrganizing them.
A representative of the Berea Repaebli-
can and Advertiser, published in Cuyaho-
ga county, visited Columbus when the leg
islature was working with the Peniten
tiary, trying to reorganize that populous
| institution, and gives the result of his
observation, which we print as we find
them in the Republican and Adcertiser of
the I'd inst, as follows ED. HERALD.
'tA1 are aware of the reorganization of
that institution as a fact-aware of the
insubordination and blood-shed caused
therein, and of the subsequent wrangling
in the Democratic camp over the distri-
button of the spoils; but, with very few
exceptions, all are ignorant of the pre-
else means by which the scheme was ef-
fected.
| The Democrats have preponderance
In both houses, but some were too saga
cious not to see the reckless improvidence
of sacrificing the future prospects of the
party for mess of pottage which, wlile
it would but temporarily and meagerly
satiate the voracious cravings of the Dem
Ocratic maw, would furnish a most dam
aging and retroactive precedent for the
opposite party which, sooner or later, is
certain to be restored to its former place
and prestige. Among this class may be
mentioned j. G. Meuser, of Crawford,
the Democratic clown of the House, but
a man of such influence as to closely con-
test the need of leadership of the faithful
with J. A. Norton, of Senaca county, and
several other aspirants. When the bill to
reorganize the Penitentiary was offered
by Mr.. Norton, it was fought so hotly by
the Republicans and several Democrats
| that it was STAYED off with substitute to
| investigate the management of that In
stitution. But without waiting for the
report of the Investigating committee,
the bill was again brought up and put
upon its passage.
Foremost in the van of those opposing
the measure, was j. G. Meuser, who
frankly declared that ''the whole pur-
pose, object and excuse for the bill was to
/ PoTa II ~
in.'' The opposition waxed so strong that
Norton fearing the immediate decision of
the issue, succeeded in pocketing the bill
and left the House.
/ AS soon as the comp de main became
known, there was. Democratic seance.
Doors We're ordered closed, a roll call de-
manded and a warrant issued for the ar
Erest of absent members-meaning DIR.
Norton. But as neither his body, spirit,
nor missing bill put in an appearance, a
recess was finally taken.
How the time was occupied during this
intermission may be inferred from the
curious fact that when the bill came up
again next day, most Jealous among its
advocates was this self same Meuser, who
but few hours previous had so stoutly
opposed it. But this sudden conversion
did not save the measure. 1t was lost,
then reconsidered, the battle carried far
into the night, again lost by a single vote
but again reconsidered and placed on the
calendar for the next day.
During all the struggle thus tar, one
unsophisticated old Democrat, Baptist
deacon of irreproachable character, tho
hard beset, voted against the bill, simply
because he had conscience and believed
the measure moral wrong. But the vote
of this Democrat, with a conscience, was
necessary to the passage of the bill, and
his vote must be had at all hazards.
HOW IT WAS OBTAINED.
Rumor, Argus-eyed and muff1ed tongued
! but reliable as rumor can be-whispers
that after supper this good Baptist dea-
con eve mean no irony was invited out
by several friends, (?) whose names we
charitably suppress, to take a walk.
After strolling indifferently about th'
city for few minutes the company cGus
qtagly found themselves in saloon where
the unsuspecting old man was politely
asked to shave something But no; h
was a temperance man, and resolutely
declined. Being urged, he offered as
supplemental excuse to his principles tina
If his EEstomach was little out of order.
IS Alas! This artless remark disclosed
l. point in the poor old man as vulnerabl
IS as the heel of Ajax. The ready answe
of the wary and would-be leader of tn
House was in effect that there was ligh
~ drink, a medicine in fact, specially in
,, tended to relieve such cases. This state
"a ment being supported by others of tn
escort-brother Democrats who had dt
scanted eloquently in favor of re-orgar
re 1zation ssfor the purpose of abating CO..
ruption and immoral practices" !" he col
fdingly took the proffered draught.
What the potion was we will not pr
tend to say, but it Immediately added h
brain, and from the moment it passed h
lips every devil and ever Democrat pre-
ent knew that the bill he had opposed WI
3 safe and "reform' would triumph. II
remainder of this "history of crime"
a sad commentary on
HUMAN DEPRAvITY.
3. It is murky with low and Shiny Gu
ming as damnable in purpose as it W
successful in execution.
From the saloon the walk of this nc
hilarious company extended along Ms
q row, out-of-the-way streets, on whi
they crossed and recrossed their o,
path until their muddIed ward with cs
tured conscience, knew no more wht
he was than he would if dropped VIII
: asleep into the tabled land of the Cyclic
At length, by another happy inadv
tence, the enlightened lawmakers of Oh
/,