Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1881-01-27
History of the County Seat Question.
MR. EDITOR:

MR. EDITOR:
1t is natural for all citizens to have desire
to know the history of their country, and es-
peciallv their homes and firesides. A disturb
ing element in relation to the removal of oul
county seat has, for some twenty-five years OF
more, existed previous to this, and short
history might not be uninteresting to your
readers who have come into active life since
that period.
In December, 1851, the scheme was started
10y John H. Sullivan, then president of the
Central Ohio railroad, assisted by the directors
of that road and others, to remove the county
seat from st. Clairsville to BellAire, and a bill
! for that purpose was introduced in the lower
house. Hon. Isaac Welsh-a known friend to
| the scheme-was elected member of the legis-
lAture in 1851, and Hon. Isaac Holloway. an
other friend (without the knowledge of St.
Clairsville), was elected to the senate. A large
number of petitions were obtained, and present
ed TO the legislature in February, 1858, follow
ed by remonstrances. The number of petitions
were 1896 and demonstrators were 3l06, giving
ma ajority against removal of ITO. The bill
was referred to a committee on new counties
About the lst of March the committee reported
in favor of Bellaire, and on March 24th. after
an animated debate by Hon. Welsh of Belmont,
in favor of removal, and Hon. J. Williams OF
Monroe, against, bill 196 fof removal was in
definitely postponed; ayes, 67-nays, %. So
the bill was lost, and nothing again was heard
of removal until 1869, when the subject came
up on notice and petition. AT this session the
petitions for removal numbered 1892, and re-
monstrators against were 4243. They were
IL
house bill No. 20I, introduced by Mr. Ball of
Muskingum by request of Mr.. Weyer of this
county The committee reported against the
bill and recommended its indefinite postpon-
ment, which was agreed to unanimously. Hon.
John A Weyer, member of the house, advocat-
ed the passage of the bill.
| The removal question then rested quiet until
December 1S7S,-all the old citizens that
moved in the matter having retired from the
stage. Some moved away, some died, some
retired to private life, and the only one remain
| ing, as far as is known, is Hon. John H. Sulli-
van, who has taken no part since 1870. In
December, rs, notice and petitions were again
prepared and presented by entirely new parties
to second session of 63d general assembly Jan.
| 1879. Representative Hon. H. Danford favored
removal and Hon. Ross J. Alexander opposed.
Mr.. Danford presented petitions from time TO
time for removal TO Bellaire during January
| and February, lS19 amounting in all to 5317,
and Mr. Alexander presented 6466 remonstra-
| tors against removal from St. Clairsville. The
committee on county affairs, by Mr.. Hardy,
reported against the bill of Mr.. Danford NO.
S84)-fve members signing, reported and
recommended its indefinite postpOnment. Mr..
Danford moved that it be engrossed, which was
lost. Ayes, Al; nays, 40. So ended this
chapter.
Next comes the frat session of the 64th
general assembly, 1880. The same thing was
tried over. Hon G. r. Atkinson, member OF
house. introduced house bill No. 100, and
petitions presented by him we're 5587, and re-
monstrators presented by him and other were
5762. The committee reported without recon-
mendation-three for removal; three against
and one neutral. No vote could be obtained
this session-the member from this county
utterly refusing to take it up, so that it went
over to the second session of the 9th assem-
BLY, On the 18th of Jan. 1881, house bill No
I60 came up for final action. Hon. Pugsley Of
! Highland and Hon. VIM. KoOns of Knox, spoke
in favor of removal, and Hon. J. Walker o.
Logan, Hon. John G. Groom of Franklin, Hon
E. A. Reed, chairman of committee from Trum
bull, Hon. J. W. Greene, member of committed
from Green, Hon. H. Mccullough of Allen
Hon. Judge Estell of Holmes, Hon. ROber
Price of Muskingum and Hon. S. S. Bloom o
Richland spoke against removal Many other
were ready to speak, but the friends of st
ClairsviIle said "Hold, enough" The previou
!, question was called by Hon. DIR. Scott of War
ren, and sustained. The vote taken on tn
passage of the bill resulted as follows; il
favor of removal, o. against removal. II. S
e the bill, No. 100, failed to pass. Member
4 .hsant and nnt votinp 81
L Il Wrsr