Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1880-01-29
corresuondence Gallipolls Journal.
coIunnus. O. Jsn,y II, 1880.

Correspondence Galiipoils journal.
COLUMBUS, o. Jsn'y IL, 1850.
There never was tourist visited Lon
don but his Communications were be-
gun, filled up in the middle, and ended
with something concerning "Westmin-
ster Abbey" The reason Is that West
minister Abbey is all there Is Of London,
its present, its past, and its future. All
of England's past glory lies buried
there; all of her present interest, and
all of her hopes of the future are CEN
tered in that holy spot. 1t is the Ma
tion's great archiye in which is stored
away the whole history OF the English
nation, In peace, in war, in art, in gov
ernment, in literature and commerce.
No wonder then that Westminster Abb
bey is the great theme of every pen that
writes from London.
No less wonderful is 1t that cores
pondent writing from Columbus at this
season OF the year should dwell exclu-
sively upon the topic of politics. From
the first Monday in January, until the
close of the Legislature it is the leading
feature in Columbus life, and therefore
the only available subject Within the
reach of letter writer.
Here is the center of all political
knowledge, works and tricks. 1t is
from here, the great heart center, that
flows all that is good or bad in Ohio
politics. 1t was here within the eonfin-
ed walls of these legislative chambers,
from the ponderous brain OF some illus
trious son of Ohio, that eminated that
"Dog Law" and many other laws OF
equal calibar and celebrity. 1t is here
that all those great men of our State,
living and dead, that have by their wis
dom and craftsmanship added so much
to the glory and renown of Ohio. first
began their political career. It was
just Is years ago that the Hon james A.
Garfield entered upon his political life,
member of the Ohio Senate.
One of the noted features of the pres
ent legislature is the great number of
young men that are in il. This is es-
pecially noticeable in the Senate, and
who knows how many of these young
hearts are pregnant with ceslestial fire,
and will some day sway the rod of en-
pire, and command the applause of lis
tening Senates, adding still higher and
greater glories to Ohio's name. If the
venerable legislators of forty years ago,
should be permitted to return to the
scenes of this life, and see the 64th Gen.
eral Assembly, they would think that
the scepter of wisdom had departed from
the land, and would tremble for the fate
of their country to see so few gray hairs
in the Counscls of State. This is due,
however, not out of Iisrespect to old
age, but because of the increased vigor-
BUSINESS in the spirit and the life of
American politics. 1t is not the feeble
energies of worn out and feeble old men
that are needed and demanded in the
great political battlefield of this day.
Something stronger and more active is
required, and to meet the needs of the
times the young, active, progressive,
hopeful energies of the young men are
brought into requisition. t*s
The youngest member of the Senate
is F. M. Marriott, Democratic Senator
from Delaware, aged 80. The oldest
is Moses H. Kerby, of Wyandotte, who
has reached tire good old age of 81, a
lie long Democrat to the manor born.
The average age OF the Senate men,
bers is about IS. The two wealthiest
members of the Senate are Charles
Fleischmann, of Hamilton, and Fl. B.
Perkins, of Trumbull, who are reputed
to be worth over million each. God
only knows who the poorest is, and
am sure / would not tell If l knew.
The weightiest member is, probably,
Senator O'Hagan, of Erie, though be-
tween him and Senators Horr and
Fleischmann there is but little differ
ence. Either of them knocking the
beam at over 200. The shortest member
is Senator Horr, of Lorain. He is a
regular Jack Falstaff in his makeup,
but with all one of the Hveliest, jolly
est, and most indefatigable workers in
the Senate. The tallest member Is pro-
badly Senator Hartshorn, who stands
six feet three in bis boots. could tell
you also who is the handsomest MEM
Der, but that would be drawing lnyid-
eous comparisons which don't wish to
do. Legislators, you know, are very
sensitive on that point any how. The
happiest man in the Senate is Thomas
j. Carran, of Cuyahoga, or Laughing
Tom" as he is called at home. He SIM
ply laughs because he can't help it.
Hon. r. G.. Richards, President pro tenn
pore of the Senate is a young man,
small, with light hair and whiskers, of
good address, and splendid executive
ability; solid good thinker, and one of
the cleverest and most genial gentlemen
in the Legislature. 1t isl matter of gener-
al comment by every one that the present
legislature is far superior in tone, char
acter and intelligence to the last pre-
ceding one. But this, however, is only
in accordance with the general fitness
OF things. There seems to be disposi-
ton on the part of the majority to do
two things, viz: prosecute business as
rapidly as good sense and consistency
will allow, and to economiZe and cut
down the running expenses. In the
House there has been about 80 bills al
ready introduced, and the per diem of
the page boys has been reduced from
90 so to 81 90.
In the Senate 26 bills have been intro
dueed, foar of which have been disposed
of and sent to the House.
A like reduction will also be made in
the wages of the page boys.
The session will be 4 short one, an
effective one, and useful one, honora-
BILE to the members and satisfactory to
the people. The first good and import
ant work done by this General Assem-
bly, was the election of Gen. James A.
Garfield us. Senator. The manner of
his election was certainly great COM
pliment, being the first Senator ever sent
from Ohio upon his first candidacy
without opposition or dissenting voice.
demonstrates the fact that it is the will
and the opinion of the people that con-
troll in the ranks of the Republican par
ty, and not the meanness and chican-
cry of corrupt political demagogues.
His election took place in joint caucus
of the two Houses en- last Wednesday II
O'Clock. In the evening the General
was present and held a reception in the
Senate Chamber, which was a. warm
and hearty ovation of all irrespective of
party. e
Since the incoming administration the
great wonder and speculatian has been,
to what extent will be carried the work
of reorganization. There is some diver
sity of opinion upon this matter, some
believing that it will and ought to be
but partial, while others advocate the
policy of making clean sweep of the
whole business. There will unques-
tiOnablV be some considerable reorOan.