Year: 1876

Special Correspondence of the Democrat.


COLUMBUS, O., Jan. "a, 1S76.-A word
at this time from the State Capitol will
no doubt be ofinterest to the many read
ers of the DEMOCRAT. am obliged fo" a
copy of the paper which have regular
ly received. l see papers from every
county in the State here, but there is
none that will compare with the STARK
COUNTY DEMOCRAT as a county paper,
both as to the reading matter, and edit
orial ability, etc.


The readers of the DEMOCRAT are gen.
orally aware that the Republicans have
entire control of both branches of the
General Assembly of Ohio, and it is a
fact that they propose to use their power
for the benefit of the party, regardless Of
the interest of the people. They have
already spent much of the valuable time
of this session in passing "bunkum" res
olutions, such as expressing great SYM
pathy for the Union soldiers, condemn
ing the actions of the popular branch of
Congress, etc.


Last Friday however, was serious day
forthe Republican members ofthe House
The Democratic members took occasion
to test the sincerity of their opponents
bv placing in nomination for clerkship
crippled Union soldier against an able
bodied negro, who was previously placed
in nomination by the Republicans. The
Democrats selected their candidate from
the Soldiers Home at Dayton, and in Or
der to prevent the voting against him on
party grounds they selected one legged
soldier who voted last fall for Governor
Hayes. Quite heated discussion grew
out of the affair. The Republicans press
ing the claims of the able bodied negro,
and the Democrats of the crippled sold
ier., The Republicans first grew tired
of the discussion las well they might,
and moving the previous question cut off
debate and brought the matter to an i'm
mediate vote, when it was ascertained
that every Republican present voted for
the able bodied negro in preference to the
crippled soldier. The sincerity of their
love for the crippled Union soldier was
tested to the satisfaction Of everybody.


1t has been ascertained that without
the negro vote the Republican party
could carry but one State, Iowa, outside
of the New England States, and without
that vote there is no possible chance for
their success next fall. They voted for
the negro in order that they might re-
tain that element in their party, but how
will the Union soldiers feel when they
learn that the leaders prefer a negro to
one of their crippled comrades? Anoth-
er desperate strike is being mads at per-
sonal liberty, by the repeal of the law
enacted last winter, to secure liberty of
conscience, etc. The religious bigotry of
the Republican members of the Assem-
bly, is made manifest by their action in
not being willing to give all churches, or
religious societies the same equal rights
and privileges. The Republican MAORI
ty in the General Assembly of this great
State thus repeal law which places all
religious denominations on one common
level and is copied from one in Minnesota
and Massachusetts.


The law which permits the "McCon-
nellsville Ordinance" will be re-enactcd,
probably, and any town then can stop
the sale of Intoxicating drinks, including
ale and beer. Some of our friends may
be wiser if they live long enough. l
understand this temperance question will
not be touched, however, till next winter,
after the Presidential election. To act
upon it this session might endanger the
German vote. S.