Year: 1878




The Penltentlary-The Legislature.


STARK COUNTY DEMocRAT-The past
week has been somewhat of an eventful
week. Gov. Bishop gave reception at
the City Hall, which was largely attend
ed by members of the General Assembly
and their wives, and many other citizens,
largely of Columbus and Cincinnati. AS
our Governor is high-toned, Christian
gentleman, it may be matter of interest
to state that much of the extravaganza
of ordinary receptions was markedly alb
sent. There was no wine, there was no
dancing, but bountiful repast, with
good coffee and tea, was much enjoyed
by those in attendance.


The worthy Speaker Of the House met
the guests as they came in, and present"
ed them to the Governor and his family.
A general promenade of old and young,
of male and female, followed, and to an
observer such as your correspondent, it
was certainly a very enjoyable and sue
cessful affair. One thing was especially
observable; you know it is subject of
very common remark, that ladies of our
modern time have not much power of
endurance, but what would you think OF
ladies walking in an ordinary evening
promenade from fifteen to twenty-five
miles, as certainly many did that even
ing, 1t may not be impertinent to say
that there were single ladies, beautifully
dressed, and hanging on to the arms of
single gentlemen.


The passage of the Silver bill by Con-
gress 80 promptly over the Presidents
veto, was a matter of very general con-
graduation. OF course it went little
hard with those Republican members OF
the Legislature who few weeks before
had voted against the resolutions, declar'
ing that in this matter Hayes and Sher-
man did not represent the sentiment OF
Ohio but still a vote to fire salute for
the victory of the people over the non
producing money power of the country
was passed without material opposition
Although the bill as passed is not exactly
what many had desired and looked for
the prompt action of Congress in passing
it Immediately over the veto is hopeful
sign that the long and unyielding clutch
of the money power upon the govern
ment is broken, and the people may be-
gin to look forward again with some hope
for national legislation that will not be
wholly for the benefit of the non-produ
cling capital of the country as against the
industry and labor of the land. 1t is the
first grand victory of the people, under
Democratic auspices, over the Goldfish ar
istocraCy that has grown up among ut
during and since the late civil war. The
first beam of light and hope for labor af
ter sixteen years of darkness, and for
long time useless struggle. 1t will giv'
the peoplecourage, and lead to more de
Cisive Democratic victories in the future


A great deal of ado is just now beini
made about mismanagement and alleget
cruelty to prisoners in our State Peniten
tiary, 1t will doubtless appear whel
the invef LEGATIONS, now in progress, ar
completed, that there has been Consid
erable corruption and much mismanage
ment in prison affairs, but with wha
success little can be known by an outsid
observer; your correspondent does no
take much stock in the sensational stol
les of convicts and discharged guards, a
paraded by the correspondents of tn
city papers. Prison discipline at bes
is no pleasant affair, and though by tn
indiscretion, and sometimes the unpal
donable malignity of officers, injustiC
is done, it must ever be remembered tha
those in charge have to deal to grea
extent with desperate men, whom onl
the most desperate measures will kee
in check. Certainly the duties of tn
new officers will not be made less onel
GUS by the publication of so much maue
lin sympathy as is practiCed by many
the papers of the State at this time.


Reorganization of the public institU
tions goes on apace. The Penitentiar
was reorganized last week. Of Cours
there were a great many applicants fC
all the positions, and many were diI
appointed but it is generally conc
ded that the Governor made wise 81
lection in the Board of Directors, an
that the various officers appointed b
them are good appointments. Your CO.
respondent is of the opinion that th
greatest difficulty to be encountered wi
be in the selection of guards, one frol
each county in the State, as the law no
provides. The principle of Distribute
of course is in itself correct, but in its al
pliCation so generally as to secure an
have one good and reliable guard frol
each county at all times, it will, we fea
be found utterly inpractiCable.


Business is progressing as rapidly {
can be expected, and we hope to see tt
: session finished up satisfactorily in a fe