Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-02-18
COLUMBUS.
The School Book War Again Raging
Fiercely.
Joe MOses-lneffectual Attempts to Bounce
Him-The Sunday Law-An Inf
dePs Argument for Sober
Sabbath.
PERSONAL AND POLITICAL POINTS.

some time since, the school book trouble
in the Ohio Legislature is not yet over.
Last Friday Mr.. Miller, the champion of
cheap school books in the House, in
trodueed another bill to the effect that the
commissioner of common schools of the
State OF Ohio, advertise for 60 days in the
four papers of the largest circulation in
different parts Of Ohio, for bids to furnish
school or text books for the common
schools of Ohio, and that samples
of books to be furnished by bidders
be sent to the Office of the
School Commissioner for inspection, and a
requisite bond be given that the stipula-
tions OF the contract be fully complied
with. The bill also provides that the ad-
vertisement for bids shall be published in
the papers having the
Largest Daily Circulation
in Boston, New York, Philadelphia and
Chicago, and also fixes the profit of retail
dealers in the sale of the books This bill
will be defeated the same as the others
which Mr. Miller has introduced. 1t will
not even come up for third reading and
final passage, but will be ruth
lessly Slaughtered by the Committee.
on Schools. There are charges openly
made, that the late bill and all the previ-
Gus ones, while purporting to be in the in
terest of reform and against monopolies.
are in reality in the interest of W. II.
Durby & Co., of this city, publishing
firm, and the agents for the Harpers OF
New York. The firm of Derby & Co. have
for several years past, been trying to in
troduce the Harpers series of school books
into the schools OF Ohio, and have succeed
ed in getting them into the Columbus
schools.
Pleasant Pastime.
Readers of the REGISTER will no doubt be
surprised that such an august and honor
tatives should spend over a weeks solid
time in trying to abolish one little $1,000
official. Nevertheless ii is fact.
The Democratic Legislature OF 1873 Gre
ated the Office OF criminal bailiff for Joe
Moses, Hebrew gentleman OF Cincinnati,
and a pet in local politics in Hamilton
county He, has been in the office
ever since under the administration OF
both Republicans and Democrats. Mr..
Warren, one of the Hamilton county dele
CATION, introduced bill in the beginning
of the session to abolish the office, and this
measure was immediately dubbed The
Joe Moses Bounce Bill After a great
deal of discussion it was finally defeated
the Democrats voting nearly solid against
it, Nearly day was wasted in idle dis
cussion over the measure.
The following week the bill came up
again in a slightly amended form and was
again defeated, but by smaller vote than
before, more time being taken up by wind
gaming this time than before. The
next day. Friday, of last week, a reconsid-
Grafton OF the vote by which the bill was
defeated was moved for, and carried, and
after a great deal Of fuss the bill was set
for disposal for tomorrow, when Mr. Moses
head will be cut off.
Even admitting that the special legisla-
ton TO create an office for political pet
was setting bad precedent, and should be
wiped from the statute books, it must seem
TO the taxpayers OF Ohio, waste OF valua-
BILE time to spend six or seven days in abol-
ishing a little office similar in its duties to
that OF deputy sheriff, and with salary OF
500 per month.
On Tuesday Mr.. Henry Smiths House
bill, closing up saloons and all other places
where malt, vinous or spurious liquors are
sold on Sunday, came up. This is an
amendment to, the famous StubbSlaw which
attracted so much attention all over the
country last winter, and provides that who
ever violates the provisions of the act
should be fined for the first otfense not less
than fifty dollars, on imprisoned more than
thirty days, and for the second ottense be
fined not less than one hundred dollars or
six months in fhe county Jail or city prison,
or both, at the discretion Of the court.
Tuesday the bill came within one OF
constitutional majority, Mr.. Smith voting
in the negative for the purpose OF moving
for a reconsideration.
Yesterday the reconsideration was moved
and carried and the bill was passed by
vote of 50 ayes to % nays, being four over
a constitutional majority.
The votes OF all were watched with
especial interest, and the dodgers were
marked by the newspaper men. The dis:
cussion over the bill created great deal OF
feeling and personalities were indulged IN
more than on any previous occasion.
The speech of Mr.. Licey, Republican
representing Medina county, however,
created the
Greatest Sensation.
Mr.. Licey is a disciple OF Bob lngersoll
and ayowS his infidelity whenever religious
topicS come up. The wien of sarcasm and
satire on the Christian religion in Mr.
Licey's off.hand speech, which attracted
much attention, can therefore be readily
noticed in reading the synopsis OF speech
given below He said that he thought that
every member on the floor OF the House
ought TO vote for the bill; that this was
Christian nation, and that the Christian
religion was recognized as the corner stone
of society, and to which advancing ciyiliza-
tion was indebted more tnan to all other
causes combined; that the stability OF
Government, and the moral and intellectu-
al and physical development OF men, wo,
men and children more largely depended
upon the precepts and teaching OF this
religion than all ether causes combined;
that this religion taught, uttered and pro.
claimed as one of its articles OF faith. and
one OF loftiest virtues, the
sacredness OF the Sabbath Day.
That it was part of that religion to keep
that day holy, and that it was the divine
command to observe il in truth as well as
in spirit" Yet" continued Mr.. Licey,
"the principal streets Of cities and towns IN
Ohio contain shops and places where in
toxicating liquors are sold TO which the
vicious and dangerous elements OF society
center for the purpose of drinking, gamb-
ling and otherwise desecrating the Lords
day, not to mention respectable men young
and old. who felt constrained 10 indulge in
that vile and vicious habit OF using alcohol
ic stimulants, and who also resort to such
places on the Sabbath day for the purpose
OF indulging, often to the extent OF de-
bauchery, that such practices and such
scenes were disgrace to heathen nations.
The speaker did not, therefore, see how
any member who believed in the Christian
religion could possibly vote against ithl'
bill.
Notes.
Col. Wagner has been treating the press
gang to stogies manufactured by the Bloch
Bros. of Wheeling. He has disposed OF
two or three boxes in this way that he
brought up for his own use. and still the
pencil pushers banker for more. The
Wheeling manufacturers are getting good
deal OF advertising at the expense OF the
Belmont county statesman.
Abram Moore, one of the officers OF the
House, is an old Wheeling boy, and meets
many friends from West Virginia. He now
resides in Columbiana county, Ohio, ana
is serving his second term as Postmaster oil
the House.
Personal.
{. N. Gaumer. of the Sc. Clairsyiile Gd'
-ette, Charles \. Allen, OF the Bella're Dss''
ocTGt, and James II. Dreuner, OF the ONO
Valley Nclrs, have been in the city during
the last week in attendance at the meeting
of ,ba nb;o EJ;torial Association