Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1892-02-11
FROM COLUMBUS.
The Legislation Mill is Grind,
ing Exceedingly Slow.
Old Members Somewhat Aston
ished Thereat.

OHce seekers Stlll hanging INV estlt-
nesses of the Australian Ballot Brought
Out by the RowIen- -weybrecht Com
test-FOrmer Members Said to Have
Combined Regardless of Party = All
Sorts of Important Measures Talked Of
COLUMBUS, o., Feb. s.
The scarcity of bills introduced in both
branches of the Ohio Legislature. and the
apparent slowness with which those that
are introduced are considered, are still
the wonder Of old members.
"Why, "said third termer to me the
other day, as we were gazing at the
longest calendar of the winter-and it
consists Of just two and half pages
"a year ago now we were struggling
with a calendar twelve pages long"
Trouble Between the Senate and House.
The senate and the house have not
been able to dwell in harmony and peace
as yet. The first break came on the
permanent encampment. bill, when the
house not only refused to pass a certain
bill to carry out law already passed,
but actually agreed to bill to repeal
that law Now the redistricting bill,
| which has been passed by the senate. is
being awaited in the house with the
same feeling that must nestle in a
highwayman's breast as he lies for his
prey. The only trouble with this illus
tration is in the fact that we members of
the house think that the senate has done
about all the "highwaying" that is
possible.
Before this reaches the eye of the
reader, the house may do something in
the redistricting matter, but think not;
| it will more likely be in month, though
there is need enough of hurry; the con-
ventions this year will be earlier than
usual owing to the presidential conven-
tions, and all want to have the represen-
tations in these conventions on the lines
of the new districts. There is one pre-
diction that is safe to make at this time,
however, and that is the senate bill as il
now stands will never pass the house
and what's more the members of the
senate who were responsible for the
nonstrosity that was evolved, know
this full well.
Staying Qualities of Office Seekers.
The office demanders are fewer in
number than when I described them
some weeks ago, but none the less per.
sistent. But here is one incident that
is amusing and proved so to Governor
Mckinley.
An old minister was personally press
ing his claims for appointment to the
position of chaplain of the penitentiary
He was eloquent and argumentative
and had documentary evidence by the
roll. He exhibited letter after letter OF
recommendation from prominent politi,
clans of the Republican party. When
he got through with the bundle that
was addressed to Governor Mckinley
he unrolled one addressed to Governor
Foraker; he had been a candidate for
the same position when Mr.. Foraker
was elected. Major Mckinley glanced
through the letter very careful lily and
considerably. ''And here is the last
but by no means the least" said the
| reverend Office seeker as he handed over
a long letter. The governor read very
strong appeal for the appointment at the
hands of Governor Foraker; the letter
said that the Rev. Mr.. Blank was an
earnest Christian gentleman, thoroughly
| qualified for the position, and that he
would consider it a personal favor, etc.,
etc., as is usual in such letters, and the
whole was signed, William Mckinley
Jr." This was the time when the office
seeker thought he had a pretty sure
thing; really now, doesn't it look as he
had q right to think so?
| Governor Mckinley appreciated the
situation, and with a smile that was
broad even to expansiveness, said: "My
dear sir, I had far greater influence
| with the administration that was ad-
dressing at that time, than have with
this one"
And the Rev. Mr.. Blank is still with.
out his appointment.
Echo of the Rowlen-Weybrecht Contest.
Here is a lawyers story: The lawyers
in the Rowlen- Weybrecht case are prac-
ticing attorneys in Stark county. Said
Mr.. Whitacre for the defense to Mr..
Whiting for the plaintiff, the other
| evening as the committee was struggling
with the 1,1G0 odd pages of testimony,
and listening to the able arguments,
"will you allow me to ask you ques-
toni" Said Mr.. Whiting to Mr.. Whit
acre, II would, only for one thing" At
that Mr.. Whitacre relapsed into silence
with a stern face wreathed in smile
that expressed clear understanding of
the situation.
/ After the session closed a member Of
the committee asked Mr.. Whiting what
was the meaning Of the exchange of
compliments that seemed so mysterious
and yet so quickly understood.
"Well," said Mr.. Whiting, sup in our
county there is judge who is able and
learned. If his opponents ask him favors
during the trial Of cases, such as my
brother did, tonight, he always says, i
would grant your request only for one
thing, and then they ask, What is that,
Judge and he says, i would see you
id first -
Mr.. Whitacre's smile was explained.
/ VIII Result in Good.
This contested election case of Rowlen
against Weybrecht, has probably
brought out every weakness that the
Australian ballot law is possessed Of
| When the committee is through with it
they will probably be in better shape tc
pass upon the multitude of amendment:
that have already been offered thar
eoild possibly have been the case undo: