The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1888-03-01
Brutus' Legislative Letter.

OOLUAbUS, roOs 20, 90.
But little OF general nature has been
transacted in the Legislature this week.
Local bills absorb most Of the time, and
much the greater interest in individual
members. A bill passed the House
adding physiology and hygiene to the
branches taught in our common schools.
Two bills are before the Legislature, one
in the Senate and the other in the
House, both of which require as part
Of said study to be taught, the effects of
narcotics and stimulants upon the human
system. The House bill came up for
consideration on Tuesday, and night
coming on it was laid on the stable by
adjournment to be taken up at some
other time. The appropriation bills are
almost ready and will be brought in
soon. The great trouble seems to be to
run the State without getting any deeper
in debt or increasing the rate oftaxation.
A bill is before the House requiring
assessors to list the money secured by
mortgage loaned by non.residents of the
State, and giving them an opportunity
to show that they are paying the tax on
said money in the State where they re-
side, in which case it will be exempt
from taxation here, otherwise we will
tax it. Another measure is to require
all assignment Of mortgages to be re-
corded. There can be scarcely-a doubt
that if all the property in the State was
fairly put upon the tax duplicate, that
our taxes instead of increasing would be
lessened from one-fourth to one.third.
Another cause OF increase in taxation is
caused by useless or unnecessary i'm.
provements. Under Mr.. Hoadly g admin
istration the State commenced what they
pleased to call an intermediate peniten.
tiary at Mansfield which, when com.
pleted, will cost millions. The only
way to fill it will be to partly empty the
one we have here, and there is now near
five hundred empty cells here. The
same expense that will run this half full
of prisoners will run it when full, except
few extra guards, while at the new one
full set of officers and guards will be
required. But some claim it would be
better for the morals of the less hardened.
If an entire separation would effect that
but little expense would effect the same
end here. In fact such prisoners as
Mr.. Harper and Blinky Morgan are not
now very much contaminated by con-
tact with others. 1t is q question now
whether the State would not be a great
gamer by stopping all work on that in
termediate penitentiary and either sell
it out to the highest bidder or let it
stand as a monument of political folly.
Washington's birthday was celebrated
here by many of the citizens, and by the
Ohio State University, as university day.
The Legislature adjourned at noon and
at o'clock the Governor, ex.President
Hays and number of the members of
the "Lature" went out to the college. The
cadets met the party at the entrance to
the grounds and escorted them to the
chapel. Salutes were. fired and at half.
past two the exercises commenced,
which consisted of addresses and music.
Gov. Foraker was the first speaker, and
with the exception OF the President OF
the Board of Trustees and Speaker
Lampson, who made short addresses,
the balance of the exercises wero con.
Quoted by the scholars, and it is need.
less to say they done credit to them.
selves and to the school. At night ex.
President Hays addressed the people in
the hall of the House of Representatives
on "Manual Training" 1t was plain
practical discourse that every one could
see the truth and necessity of.
BRUTUs.