Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1892-04-07

Two-Cents-a-BIile RaiIroad BnI-signs
of Spring in the State House Yard.
Legislative Page Boys-NOtes.
COLUMBUS, o., April 8.
Adjournment is now like the spring
nat at the opera-in sight. It came about
The senate passed the ap-
bin one afternoon and at 8
o'clock the same day both houses agreed
% the redistricting bill, and presto,
every one was talking of adjournment;
ihree hours before no one thought of
hat all important subject. Now the
luties of the farmer member are call
ng him homeward; the city members
ire feeling urgent demands from home;
md the professional politicians-of
course, there are none in their legisla-
lure, but am describing what they
would do if they were here-want to get
back to their bailiwicks that they may
the better bring about this election as
delegates to the coming state conven-
tions, which are the starting points of
the coming national contest.
Another sure sign that disintregation
is at hand is the exchange of photo
grahps that is now going on among
this is one of the most prom
ising signs to those of us that were anx-
ious to adjourn a month ago. Members
may say they are in hurry to adjourn,
but when they begin to trade pictures,
then the time is short.
The date set by the house resolution
passed last Friday is April II, but 1
would not be surprised to see that made
April IS, when the time comes.
Another Joke on the Farmers.
Here is another good joke on the
farmer members, or at least those Who
are on the committee of agriculture.
DR., oterret, of Miami county, intro
duced bill to prevent the clipping Of
horses during the winter months. The
wording of the bill, however, prevents
the clipping of animals" This bill
was referred to the committee on agri-
culture and by that body recommended
for passage.
When it came up for consideration
and passage, the author of the bill ex,
planned that it was bill to prevent the
clipping of horses during the winter
months and he was greeted by volley
of "agreed," which goes up from nearly
every throat when all are in accordance
with the sentiments of the bill under
consideration and want to save time by
cutting the speaker short. The doctor
sat down feeling sure that his bill was
going through with rush, when one
farmer more inquisitive than the rest
called attention to the fact thatunder the
proposed law, a man could not shear his
sheep before killing them for market
A member from the northwestern part
Of the state then proceeded to roast the
committee on agriculture. "This bill,
said he, ''should not have been referred
to the committee on agriculture; il
should have been sent to a committet
that had farmers on it." This raised tht
laugh on the members of the committee
who had one and all slid so far down il
their seats that they were scarcely dis
cernible.
Then a number of amendments were
prepared, one to exempt sheep, anothel
dogs, and a third member, more dis
gusted than the rest, was going to offe,
an amendment to exempt men; but be
fore these could be incorporated, voti
was called and the bill was killed. Thu
what many think to be very human
bill, came to grief all because the com
mittee on agriculture thought that be
cause horse was an animal, the con
trary was also true-or perhaps the,
didn't think at all.
Redistricting.
Many people in both political partie
wonder how it is that the redistricting
no matter which party does 1t, is alway
susceptible to the charge of being al
unfair division; and when irregular dis
tricts are made the wonder is increased
to amazement among those who thin
that the districts should all be fair
square and evenly divided between tn
two parties.
Let me enlighten the readers of thi
column, if it be possible.
In the present legislature there ar
nineteen in the senate and seventy-tw
in the house on the majority side. Nov
reader, just pause moments it nc
perfectly natural, and right too, tina
every one Of those ninety-three me
should want to be in q congressions
district that is favorable to their party
AS matter of fact out of the seventy
two Republicans in the house only fou
are placed by the bill passed last wee
in Democratic congressional districts
and of those four, three are sorrounde
by Democratic counties and the fourt
was only himself elected by 8 majol
ity. In the senate, only two Republica
senators are placed in Democratic dil
tricts and both live in Democrat
counties. 1t was next to impossible
do otherwise and do anything at all.
Two years ago when the political con
plexion of the legislature was Dem,
cratic, but by very narrow margin
the same rule was set at work, and I'll
consequence was a list of districts ths
was criticized by the Republican pres
Just as it was this year for the Republ
cans, it was impossible for the Dem,
Gratis to do any different and do anythin
at all.
And it will always be thus as long
the legislature has the apportionment
the state for congressional purposes.
Many good people think that th
should all be left to a commission cor
posed Of an equal number of persol