Gallipolis Journal

Ohio Legislature.

This body has not yet got fairly into working trim, hence our abstract of its doings will be necessarily short. The majority have other business, which to them, seems more important than legislating for the people, to attend to. Their convention on the 8th, and the fight over the question of Senator, have engrossed their time to the exclusion of everything else. Party interests is the paramount question with our democratic legislature, and we must await the settlement of these things before we can expect the people's interests to be looked after.

On Monday, the 6th, the Legislature organized, the result of which we gave last week.

On the 7th, after the introduction of a few unimportant bills and resolutions, they adjourned over to the 9th, in order to give the members an opportunity to attend the State Convention on the 8th. Party good before the people's good.

Jan. 9.—Senate.—Mr. Golden introduced a bill to change the subdivisions of the 7th Judicial District.

On motion of Mr. Godfrey (Dem.) a resolution was adopted that when the Senate adjourned each third Friday afternoon, it be to the following Tuesday noon.

House.—A bill was introduced to repeal the bill authorizing persons charged with crimes to testify. Mr. Ball (Dem.) offered a resolution which was adopted, requesting the Judiciary to inquire as to the expediency of amending the law that nine jurors instead of twelve, should be required, in civil cases, to render a verdict.

The two Houses then went into joint convention to count the votes cast at the late election. The following was the vote as counted: Governor—Hayes, 243,605 votes; Allen G. Thurman, 240,622. Lieut. Gov.—Jno. C. Lee, had 243,486 votes. Danl. S. Uhl, 240,845. Auditor of State—James H. Godman, 243,461; John McElwee, 240,840. Treasurer of State—Sidney S. Warner, 243,464; Cochrane Fulton, 240,858. Attorney General—Wm. H. West, 243,449 Frank H. Hurd, 240,896.

Both Houses then adjourned for the day.

Jan. 10.—Senate.—Mr. Dickey presented a memorial in relation to testing the election of Homer C. Jones to the Senate, which was referred to the Committee on Elections.

A resolution was adopted instructing the Committee on Roads and Highways to take into immediate consideration the advisability of amending or repealing the Road Law.

House.—Bill introduced to procure additional statistics. This bill makes it the duty of township assessors, when making the annual assessment of personal property, to collect and return to county auditors, and by them to the Auditor of State, the following statistics: Amount of United States bonds, amount of State bonds or certificates of indebtedness of any kind, and of all legal-tender notes or other moneys now exempt from taxation by the laws of the United States or of this State, owned by persons within this State.

A bill was introduced fixing the legal rate of interest at 7 per cent. The joint committee appointed to make arrangements for the inauguration of the Governor elect, made their report. The ceremonies take place on Monday.

Jan. 11.—Senate—Mr. Carter, from the Committee on Privileges and Elections, reported back credentials of Senators and elections of sitting members in all but the Eighth District, concerning which the report is silent. Homer C. Jones, Republican, was elected from that district by the popular vote, but his election is contested because of alleged negro votes cast for him.

House.—The main business in the House was the consideration of a preamble and resolutions rescinding the action of the last Legislature, ratifying the Constitutional Amendment proposed by Congress. They were passed by a strict party vote.

We desire our readers to note this fact, because it shows the tendency of the rebel democracy, when in power. It is the beginning of the repeal of all legislation that has been enacted to punish treason and reward patriotism.