Mt. Vernon Democratic banner (Mount Vernon, Ohio : 1853), 1859-05-31

              VOLUME XXIII; MQTTNT VERNON, OHIO: TUESDAY, MAY 31, 1859. NUMBER 6. V . IS rtJBLTHT aTaWT tUMBiT NOMU O, Cfica ta 7oodward't Block, TMrd Story TEBMS Two Dollars psr annum, payable In advance; $ J,5 within six month; $5.00 after the excitation of the year. C3ube of twenty, $1,60 each. Democratic County Meeting. The Democracy of Knox county, pursuant to previous notice met in the Court Hoase. In Mt Vernon, on Saturday last, May 21st. On motion John Marlow, Eiq., Howard township, was called to the Chair; Henry Levering, John Bog gs, and M. N. Scott, were appointed Vice Presidents; and E. J. Msndenhafl and L. Harper, were chosen Secretaries. On notion a committee of five, consisting of Wn. Hartaook, M. II- Mitchell, L. Harper, C. C. Gamble, and A. C. Scott, were appointed to prepare resolutions expressive of the sense of the meeting. The committee, through Mr- Harper, reported the following, which were unanimously adopted : Resolved, That the Democratic party being a party of principle, it has survived and prospered, - in the face of all manner of opposition, since the organization of our Government, having never changed its nam or deviated- from those well- established landmarks that have ever defined its career. Resolved, That the Democratic Principle be-ing embodiel in our glorious "Constitution and matchless form of Government, the Democratic Party will stand by the Constitution and Laws of he country, as the only safegard and palladium of our Liberties, Resolved, That in a free government like ours all power is inherent in and springs from the People ; and as Members of Congress are bat mere agents or: servants of the people, they can exercise no power that has never been conferred upon them by the Constitution or delegated to them by the People; therefore, any attempt on the part of Congress, to legislate on the subject of Slavery, in the States or Territories, is an unwarrantable assumption of power, if not an act of tyrany, that is at war' with our whole syetem of. government. Resolved, That we cherefully and heartily accord to the Federal, government all the powers conferred upon it by,the Constitution of the United States, and will with our lives and fortunes uphold said government in the full enjoyment of the same. Bat we will not recognize or sanction said government in the exercise of powers not granted or with great latitude implied. Amon? the powers most clearly & unequivocally granted to the citizens of the several r states, under the "hild.and protection of the constitution, is the vight'to reclaim persons held to service in one state fleeing to another ; that Congress, in passing a law to give efficiency and practical force to this clear provision of the Constitution, were but discharging the duty enjoined opon them. . . Resolved, That the fearlfs and patriotic Administration of James Buchanan, a id more especially the noble and glorious stand it has ta-"ken in defending the rights and the honor of our country, whether on the sea or on the land, meets with our unqnalified approbation. ' Resolved. That the Federal or Black Repub'i-can party is totally devoid of principle and of patriotism; and is made up of a conglomerated mass of discondant materials, that if cemented together by sheer love of the spoils and a hatred -of every thing that is pure, good aud Democratic. '-- Resolved, That the lawless and treasonable Acts of the Oberlin fanatics, in resisting the ex ecution of the laws, and the countenance and encouragement that has been extented to them -by Giddings and the leaders and pressses of the 'Black Republican party generally, clearly shows that in their pretended zeal for the negro they are willing to trample the Constitution and the Laws under their feet, and bring about violence, murder, anarchy and revolution. Resolved, That the fearless and unswerving course pursued by .fudge Willsori and Attorney General Belden, in presecuting the lawless fanatics of Oberlin, proves that ; they are men eminently qualified for the high and responsible positions they oecupy.and they deserve the praise and thanks of all true, loyal, law-abiding citi. zena. . Resolved, That the Black Republican' party of Massachusetts, in adopting therecent amendment to their Constitution, requiring our foreign-born fellow citizens to reside in that state two yesrs after they become eaturalized, before they can exercise the rights of an American freeman, only proves that one of the great objects of that unprincipled party is to insult, degrade and ty-ranize ever white men, while they hug the negro to their bosoms, and seek to place him on an equality, social and political, with the white men of this country. ' : Resolved, That the seventy-six Black Republican leaders in Congress in voting against the admission of Oregon into the Union, because the sovereign people) of that State preferred to have a Democratic Government of white men instead of an Abolition government of negroes, shows that these Congressmen are not only "traitors to freedom,", but are carryingoot thewell-established principles of their party. Rooked, That the Repnblican party of Ohio ootained power by mating the most false and hypocritical pledges to the people in relation to redaction of their taxesj but all their pledges and promises have been most' shamefully violated j and instead of reducing they hare greatly increased the taxes of the people. . . Resolved, .That the iniquities system of treas vy plundering at Colambas, was inaugerated by the enemies of the Deciocratie partyt and the same Republican leaders who obtained possession of the people's money whilo BJiss was tressurer, fraud and flaUery, acquired complete control ret his successor, who, althoqgh elected to oflca ty tia Deoocr&ilo party, aoon forsook it, sd i U wjIbj toolct Saoiers. BroW Sharks, Shavers and Specnlators, composing the leaders of Gov. Chase's Black Republican party. Resolved, That we hereby pledge ourselves to support oo man for office, County, State, or Na tional, who is interested, either directly or indirectly, in any Banking institution or swindling corporation whatsoever. Resolved, That the Delegates representing this county in the State Convention be hereby instructed to vote for true, honest, unflinching and incorruptible Democrats for office, in matters not in what part of the State they may be found. On motion of M. H. Mitchell Esq., a committee of five, consisting of M. II- Mitchell, Wm. Hartsook, Dr. A. C. Scott, John Harrod, 1. P. Larimore, were appointed to select Delegates to the Democratic State Convention. The committee thetrrretired, and reported the names of the following named gentlemen as Delegates: The names of the Delegates were published In last week's paper. - ; John Adams, Esq., from the committee appointed to investigate the causes of our high taxes, made the following Report : , Report of the Committee. Your Committee appointed on the 8th of Janr uary, to report upon the condition, expenditures, Ac , ot the county finances, on the 22d of February, and again adjourned to the 30th of April, by reason of Kepublican omcer s refusal to allow an examination of the : books, at length beg leave to report that they have finally succeeded, upou a change of Auditor, iu getting an inspection of the-Uounty Records, and herewith submit to this meetintr their investigation, so far as they hove been able to carry it, embracing ouly the transactions of the County Commissioners with the two Railroads, the payment of interest on the bonds of the county, sale of stock, payment of Treasurer's fees on money borrowed from the Knox County Bank for Raih-oad purposes, together with a statement of amount of taxes levied in each year, from 1844 to 1858, interest ac-couut.s, &C. -. Your committee iind that by the first agree ment-between the Commissioners of the County and B. Higgins Sz Co. and the Columbus and Lake Erie. Company, made the 22d of April, 1847, that the Commissioners sold to B. Higgins & Co. 2000 shares, at $50 each, of the stock of Knox oounty in the Columbus and Lake Erie Companv, tht B. Higgins & Co. agreed to pay the Commissioners for the same oc or before the 1st dnv of June, 18C7, at the Treasurer's office in Knox county, the sum of one hundred thou ?and dollars; payment to be made either in money or in Rai 'road bond?; and to pay interest on said sum, that should accrue after the first day of May, 1 84'.. annually, on the 3lst day of December; the Commissioners of said county to assign and convey to Ebenezer Lane, Trustee, the stock of said county, to be held upon the following trust: first, as seeimtv for the debt of said iliggihs & Co. second, when said Higg-ins Sz Co. shall sur render to tbe Auditor of aiid county, any Railroad bonds of said county for cancelation, said trustee shall copvey to such party an equivalent amount of bonds at par value, and said Auditor shall give a certificate to that.eud for the trustee, and upou the final payment of the debt in bonds or money, said Higjins fc Co.. are released from the further payment of interest, and are entitled to the transfer of all the stock, third, to authorize said : Higgins t Co. to vote on said stock at stockholders' meetings, fourth, to collect dividends on said stock, and to apply the same to paying arrerages ot interest on this deb and said dividends are pledged to meet said arrearages of interest, wbit h said Higsrins & Co. are to pay, and should said II. & Co. f iil to pa the interest, for threo months after it becomes payable, then said trust is to cease, and said trustee to convey said stock to the county commissioners. The residue of the contract is . an agreement on the part of the Railroad that the line of the Road shall pas throoeh Mt..: Vernon," regulating the prtces of freiirht, Ac. This contract was entered into under the law of Feb. 26, 1846, to an thorize the Commissioners, to take' stock in the Columbus and Lke Erie Rtilroad Company, and in pursuanco of a vote takpn by the people of the county at the election of H ; This contract is found recorded in the Commissioners'-Journal D, paee iH et seq. In pursuance of this contract $100,000 of the county stock was assigned to Higgins 4 Co., and the county bonds tssuea lor tne amount.. This contract so remained until in 1833- In the meantime Hirzins & Co. had failed to pay the interest according to their contract and Lane, the trustee, had returned the stock to the commissioners, in consequence of the interest not being paid by said Higgins Co. A suit having been previously commenced in New York to recover the interest due under said contract, from B. Hicrgins & Co., while said suit was pending an arrangement was made with the commissioners, by John R. Robinson and others, by which the back interest to October, 1853, was paid up iu the bonds, Hizgina 4 Co.'s contract having been long forfeited, was laid aside, and another contract was then entered into between the coun ty commissioners on the one part, and the said John R. Robinson and others on the other part, whereby , the . commissioners sold said stock to said Robinson and his associates for $100,000, to be paid on or before the 1st day of June, A. Dt 1867, with interest from the 1st day of October, A. D. 1833, said interest payable annually on the 1st day of Octobor, at the Treasurer's of fice in money only. The contract further provides what persons, any ten of whom shall be the associates above spoken of. and that the pay ment or tne principal sum or $100,000 and the interest thceon shall be secured by such persons to the county as follows: each of said persons or any ten ot tbem severally shall execute to the commissioners their 'obligation for sach sum of money as said persons shall agree upon among themselves, tor the amount at par value of the shares of stock assigned to each person equal to tne sum of such person s obligation, which sum shall be payable on or before the first day ot j ane, isa7, and interest on the first day of October, annually, and, also, said persons shall execute and deliver to the commissioners a valid pledge of the stock, conditioned for the payment ui ptmcip&i ana interest or said obligation, and in case the interest or principal of said obligation shall remain unpaid for the period of fifty days after the maturity thereof, to advertise and sell tne stock so pledged, to pay saidpnnciDal and interest due and unpaid, and that said obli gors may redeem said stock by paying principal and interest, cost of advertising, 4c Transfer or stock and delivery of obligation to be made in the town of Mt. Vernon, on or before the 10th day of October, 1853, and that each of said certificates of stock shall be endorsed with a statement of the fact that said stock is pledged as herein specified. Said contract also provides for a consolidation of the Mansfield and 8andusky City Railroad Com nan v and the CaLE. Vt . and in that event accommodating the) terms of coowact to tne condition of the stock, a it wiu become in the new company, and for a pledge of said new stock and the endorsement thereof, according to the terms above set forth; Commissioners to dismiss their snit in cUncerV in Knox eoonty, and Robinson. 4 Camp for themselves and others, to indemnify . said"IcwJSSS against cost in said case, also, to indemnify .aid Commissioners against any claim of B. IISgjriot 4 Co? on account of slock soli to thcra hereto fore, and to procure said B, Higgins 4 Co.'s copy of said contract to be given up and cancelled within a reasonable time. They also agree to indemnify the Commissioners against costs, except plaintiffs attorneys, in an action by them in New York agaiDSt Higgins 4 Co., on the contract of said U. 4 Co. for sale of said stock, and suit to be dismissed. Also, should any of said obligors pay off any part of the principal part of their obligation, in money or bonds, they shall be entitled to have as much of their stock released. ' Names of persons who gave Bonds to Comission- ers under this contract, viih dates and amount of notes and bonds. Robert McComb, note and bond, September 30, 1853. $3,000. N. B. Hogg, (only signed note) note and bond, September 30, 1853, $10,000. James R. Stan berry, Geo. B. Wright, note and bond, September 30, 1858, $10,000. : Geo. B. Smyth, note and bond, September 30, 1858, $10,000. ' John Sherman, note and bond, September 30, 1858, $5,C03. ': ' Henry D. Cook, Earl Bill, note and bond, and the note signed by John G, CampTsuretj for the above, September 30, 1858, $10,000. A. S. Flint, G. A. Camp, note and bond, September 30, 1853, $10.1)00. Hocking Hunter, note and bond, December 12. 185.1. $5,000. John R, Robinson, note andboud, September 30. 1853, $10,000. C. 1 Sherman, note and bond, September 30, 1853, $10,000. II. B. Curtis, note and bond, December 9, 1S53, $3,000. 11. B. Curtis, note nud bond, Decomber 12, 1S53, $."i,()00. Henry P. Warden, note and bond, December 9, 1853, $5,000. : . .. The conditions of the above bonds were, that the obligors should fulfil the stipulations of their contracts with the Commissioners relative to said stock, payment of interest, tc, as in said con tract set forth, otherwise said bonds to become forfeit. Your committee find that in both these contracts the Commissioners had guarded the interests of the county faithfully, and had taken the proper precaution by said contract to indemnity the county against the payment of interest on her bonds to the the Railroad so far as the same could be done. That by the arrangement out of which the second contract arose, the back, interest due from B. Higgins 4 Co. was paid up tJ October, 1st, 1853, and that the contract itself then, provided fur u means by which the interest would be paid as it afterwards should become due, via: By the" notes and bonds of said obligors. The stock of the Railroad being pledged ami en to remain in pledge, to secure the paymeut of said interest up to June 1st, 1867, and, also, to secure the payment of the principal of said bonds when due. ; " , i . Your committee further find that the interest due on said bonds Oetober 1st, 1854 was $6,000, ! and that said obligors paid interest thereon at the times and of the amounts following: September 3, 1 854, H. P. Warden paid, $300. November 2, 1854, John Sherman " 300. November 2, 1833. II. IL Hunter ? 300. November 14, 1854, H. B. Curtis " G00. November 14, 1854, N. B, Hogg " 600. November 14, 1854, James II. Stanberry, G. B. Wright paid, $600. " December 30, 1854. G. B. Smyth paid, $r.00 Dec. 14, 1855, II. H. Hunter paid iut. 300 Jan. 21, 1856. H. B. Curtis Feb. 2. 1851. H. P. Warden Feb. 23, 1857, N. B Hogg 420 210 420 420 114 210 it Feb. 4, 1857, H. B. Curtis paid intst Feb. 28, 1857, II. II. Hunter " " June 2, 1857, H. P. Warden " " Making whole amount interest paid $3,394.60 The whole amount" of interest due on said bonds up to October 1st, 1853, which said obligors were bound by their contract topay;30,000.0Q OF this amount they have paid iu all. 5,394.60 Leaving still due and unpaid,... $24,005.40 Your committee from the above exhibit find that said obligors have not paid the interest for one year on said bonds, and that the people of the county have paid for these persons the sum of $24,605.40, which sum said obligors were and are amply able to pay. That the people have not only been taxed to pay this large sum for these. men, but have paid and are still paying in terest thereon, and on part of said amount dou ble Treasurer's fees. That when money was borrowed from the Banks to meet Railroad interest for these gentlemen, the treasurer would charge fees on the money thus borrowed, and then again on the taxes when collected to pay th same back. As a specimen of this mode of doing we find from the books the followin"1. un der the head of Railroad funds: SPRINGFIELD ROAD. J March 3, 57, Ami borrowed K C Bank. 4 6.500.00 June 2, '57, Interest paid Bank..... ... 198.25 Advertising in N. Y.... . . 4.20 . Treas.' fees per contract. . 65,0; SUNDUSKT ROAD. - Sept 14, '57, Amt borrowed K C Bank. $3,500.00 June 4, '07, Iuterest paid Bank.... "... 89.00 J uno P, 'oa, . " 105 00 Treasurer' fees. $3,500. .. 68 22 March 1, '59, Amt borrowed K C Bauk. 3,000.00 Iuterest paid on same..... 61.50 Treasurer's fees...... ... ... 15.00 So that it will at once be seen that the people are taxed not only to pay the interest for these persons, but to pay interest on that interest and double treasurer a fees on a large part of it.- Your committee think these evils are not necessary, and bad policy, and result from the negligence and inactivity of the commissioners to force these obligors to pay their interest as the same becomes due that the interest was collected by suit np to October, 1853, and that the same coutract now exists that did then, in substance, with the addition of the notes and bonds above set forth, and that the same is as collectable now as then, and more so, for tbe suit then was in New York, and, now, part of the obligors live in this county and the residue in adjacent counties all in oar own State and could be sued in our own courts. Why has it not been done? The stock itself is by the contractpledg-ed for the payment of "the principal and interest of these notes and bonds. The men are resDon- sible, and why are not the tax-payers of the coun ty relieved from, toe enormous burden of this Railroad interest, increased by interest on loans ana double fees. : We find that the interests of the county have Deen weu guarded in tne case of the Springfield, Mt. Vernon and Pittsburgh Railroad Company, ana tnat tor every bond issued by the county individuals have given 'mortgages on their farms. in this county, to secare the payment of the principal and annual interest on said bonds as they should tall doe. These bonds are payable twenty years after date, with 7 per cent interest, payable annually March 1st, and exchange on New York, the first interest falling due in March. 1853. The amount of bonds issued by the count v was $79,800. - - - '.' - - 1 Interest due te March 'l." 1859. from " March 1, 1853. at 7 nercaat ' .i. .. . 433 JHfi.00 One-half per cent exchange,.., , . .. 167.53 Interest and exchange. ..".; i.-. .V 33.683.S9 Amoaat paid bj BtocJthoIders,. .. . ..... 13,793.03 Iniarest and exchange paid by county. . 19,883-53 lathe ease of this road - the coontv had real estate aacoritj to indemnify her stgainst kag fr issuing her bonds,' and to serure the payment of the interest and exchange on the same, . Nothing but negligence on the part of the county com misioners could have. allowed, the tax-payers to suffer, by being compelled to pay iuterest and exchange thos secured to be paid, i - : ' , r It mast now be apparent to every one that it is the worst of bad policy, for the county to be induced, at the instance of any person, or for any object of this nature, however beneficial it may appear, to lend her credit in its furtherance, She must eventually lose, whoever may be the gainer her interests are sacrificed at every turn her bonds go into the bauds of Brokers and Jobbers, and the whole traia of atendant evils follows as a matter of course loans, interest accounts, excessive taxes and a burthened people. If anything can avail a county in such an emergency it is a faithful, energetic and active board of county . Commissioners, who will see her rights asserted andmaintained, and will collect her due in relief of her debts thus incurred. Your Commissioners have not done this, and you bear the burthen; and your committee suggest as the remedy for the evil, prompt and decided action in the collection of the back interest and such a course of policy in regard to the matter that in case of future arrears of bond-holders, collections will be known to be inevitable. - This course of action, instead of the weak, inefficient and. indecisive one now and heretofore pursued; will alone- save this people from burdens that are more grevious and oppressive and will in time become intolerable.' The peo-f pie of the county have already paid for these two Railroads $44,491,98 not one cent of which they, ought to- have - paid. " Soon another year's interest will be due on both roads. . The treasury of the oounty will again i be drained, and a few interested citizens saved by our comuiission-ere. at the county's expense. ; Your committee deem it their duty to say, a word, about the Repqrt of a former committee, who have made a report upon the state of the county finances, and have in their report professed to give a clear and full explanation of the whole matter. We first looked to it for information on the subject, about which it professes to speak, but confess we do . not understand its statement. It's miss-statements, we think, we can see the purpose of, and know enough of them to know that a word about them will not be amiss. The increase of taxes is very gravely attributed in said report to the iu crease of School houses, and that Committee are not prepared to suggest as a remedy for the evil (high tax) that building School houses be .stopped. This is a popular way of Recusing the enormous Burdens. The only difficulty is that it i? '"not true. Over forty four thousand dollars of R. R. interest paid by the people, since 1853, would seem to be a part of the evil, but that committee are not-prepared to suggest that said R R interest, be collected; and while the people ere told that one suit against one of the stock holders of the Springfield road has b?en commeacadj and that a decision is waited for, the iu'tefest goes on and the peoplo pay it. f ; Further, that there has bein a steady decrease of county taxes since 1852 jo 1858, with the ex-captions of the years i 1834-5, when the Court House was built. Document No. 4, professes to phow amounts levied ou arable property for each year from XSiQ to I&SS'by-whAua and for what purpose, viz: " 150 tax levied for county purpoies, 1151 . " .: - : : " .$26,019 45.1 34.085 76 8 24,117 90.6 23,649 98.0 11,856 2S.3 ' 13,097 69.3 886 07.4 10.294 18 9 15,872 33.1 1852 1853 1854 1855 1856 1857 1S5S - This is, as the exhibit nnmber four shows, the item of county tx. Wbat are county taxes? what State and what special? In the years1850-1-2-3 thre is no bridge building or poor tax mentioned; in 1854 the funds are. seperated, and then the county tax, so collected, appears to decrease, because it and the bridge, building and other county taxes are separated. In the Commissioner's Journal, D, page 2S3, the lvy for the year 1830 will be found as follows: " County tax,.. 01 50-100 Mills. Poor tax,... . . . . ... ... .00 45-1 00 Mills. Bridge levy. ..... i 01 45-100 Mills. - It wilt be seen by this that the bridge and poor tax is greater than the county tax, so called. In 1851, page 351 same book, the levy will be found as follows: county tax, 2.70 mills;: poor .15 hundredth mills; bridge .15 hundredth mills; interest on Railroad bonds 1 mill. In 1852,-page 403 of same book, the levy is as follows: county tax 1. 9-100 mills; poor 1-10 mills; Railroad interest 1 mill; for buying jot to erect jail J mill. In 1833, Com'rs Journal E, page, 11, the levy is as follows: county purposes I mills; poor 1-10 mills; to pay for lot and complete jail 1; Railroad iuterest 1 mill. In 1854, same book, page 64, county tax 1.05 mills; poor .05 mills; bridge and road purposes .05 mills; erection of Court House and other public buildings 1 mill. In 1855, same book, page 107, county tax 1-21 mills; building fund 1.15 mills; poor: .15 mills. In 1856, same book, page 246, county tax .80 mills; building purposes 1.00 mills; poor 10 100 mills; Railroad interest .50 mill. In 1857, same book, page 212, connty tax 1 mill; building .65 mills; infirmary .15; S. M. 4 N. Railroad interest ,65 mills; S M 4 P Railroad .65 mills. j In 1858, same book, page 281, oounty tax 1 mills; infirmary .15 mills: S M 4 N Railroad interest 1 mill. Every one can see at once what these county taxes for these years are, and of what they are made up, and by referring to the taxes levied in each year for current expenses, according to Document No. 4, it will be seen how fairly thisbas been : set out. In 1850-51 levy was made to build our bridges; in 1852-3 to purchase lot and erect Jail; in 18545-6-7 to builj Court House. None of this appears from said Document. No. 4, until 1854, when the building fund appears. The county taxes are all taxes for connty purposes and include expenses of county, Building, and Bridge fund. Poor tax. Railroad interest and all other taxes i which are levied for a purpose in which the whole county is engaged or liable for. School house tax is not a county tax, for all the school House tax may be collected for one township only, and that township alone will be assessed for, this purpose or all but one may be - taxed for. this purpose, it is a special township tax collected by the county officers, and sent back to them just as they collect it after deducting fees, and yet our friends of the other committee tell you that this is the cause of oar high tax in the county when the Commissioners have nothing to do with itat alL The following exhibit will show ; what is the1 connty tax, proper according to Document No. 4, before referred to if the items in said Document are correct which we will not roach for to-wit: V"" ."-;""' ' '. ' ' : 1850 connty taxes were:" ' . ' $26,019 45.1 1851 " " -'"" ' 34,085 76-8 1852 vv 24.117 90.6 Railroad tax for Interest, 6,613 91.4 - - . V . I i ..S0730-82J 1853 eenaty laxm were. 23,649 98 J) - t...-, . RalJroad.,........ ,7,622 13 - . -, - . - 3172 ii 1854 county taxes were. 1156 28J3 Infirmary,..' 564 55,2' ' ! Ballding... .. . 113l'7lJs : v " Bridge, .1'..';. -V.f -;&HiSJ2"''y--' ' : - -mpm . w 1855 eouatv Uxea were. $13,007 69 JJ Infirmary,;....... .... 1.637 25.3 Balldine............... 12,551 94.4 $27,086 89.0 1856 county taxes were. 8.286 74.Q Infirmary........ 1,035 75 Building. .... ..... 10,357 59.4 Railroad,... ....... 5,178 79.6 24,838 83.9 1857 county taxes were. 10 294 18.9 Building v . . ...... 6.691 21.0 Infirmary.............. 144 12.3 Railroad,. . ...... ..... , 13,382 41.6 31,913 93 8 1858 connty taxes were. 15,872 33.1 Infirmary,.... ........ 1,587 22.9 Railroad............... 10,581 533 : ; , 2S.041 09.3 By an examination of the above statement it will be seen how the taxes vary in the different years, from 1850 to 1838 inclusive, according to the Document No. 4. But why they vary or why tbey do not vary more does not appear. It contains a naked statement of figures from which nothing can be ascertained, only that the statements themselves are iot fair or intelligibly made. In 1850-1-2-3 the county was paying Railroad interest at the rate of $5,000 per year. There came into the Treasury over twenty thousand dollars of back Railroad interest, collected of Higgins 4 Co. to relieve the taxes of the following year, and then came the levies for building the Court House, and contained in each year down to 1858, when we find the county relieved from building tax, and the county tax, including Infirmary and Railroad interest, amounting to $28,041,093; nor is the surplus or deficit of any particular year given, nor is the surplus or deficit of any particular fund given, the delinquent tax of each vear is given, but a. delinquent tax is not a deficit, it only shows the amount levied. and not collected,, but nothing more all these things ought to be known, and understood, in order to see what influence they had on the levy for each particular year. We have not had time to devote to a thorough invertigation of the causes of the taxes varying as above set forth, but we have deemed it proper to say this much, to give some idea of what is the true state of the matter, and to arrest erro neous conclusions from the former report, and having done this, each one for himself must pursue the subject, and make his own comparisons. All we proposed to investigate, was the con dition of the county finances with regard to the Railroads, payment of their interest, 4c, and we herewith submit to the Convention, the result of said investigation, with what we have been led to say upon the subject of general county tax, necessary, to, be known in order to understand the effect the Railroad tax has bad in producing the burdens that are threating to become fastened permanently upon us. We will close our report by an exhibit showing the amount of taxea levied for all purposes in each year from 1844 to 1858, and the gradual increase during that period, as appears by the books in the Auditors office. v 1844.. 35,212, 61.5 1845...................... 38.497, 56.1 l46,. '. ..v.. ... . . .38,497 76.1 . 1847................. ..i..47,66l 21.6 1848..,.:.........,. .53,915 15.6 1849, .53,388 53.7 1850, .....56371 5a 1 1851,..., 1852.., -; 1853,...; 1854, .., 155, 1856,.... 157,.... 1858,.... .....66.830 43 6 68,749 972 .....88331 93.6 .....95.628 57.2 .....88,932 72.9 . 87,298 41.7 .....95,786 87.1 ....113,060 65.9 All of which is respectfully sbmitted. JOHN ADAMS, WM. BEAM, W. HARTSOOK, Com C. WOLKK, E. W. COTTON : Mt. Vernon, May 21st, 1858. On motion of If. B. Banning, Esq-, the Report was received and the committee discharged. On motion of A. B. Norton Esq., Mr. Adams was requested to write out his explanatory remarks, accompanyicg the Report, for publication. " - On motion of G. A. nail Esq., the thanks of the meeting were voted to the committee for their able and satisfactory report. On motion of Mr. Mitchell, a resolution was adopted declaring Wm. Dunbar Esq., to be the first choice of-the Democracy ot Knox county for Lieutenant Governor. On motion, a committee of five" consisting of A. B. Norton, Wra. IlarUock, A. M. Shipley, Wm. Beam, and Eli - Miller, were appointed to make arrangements for a Democralio Fourth of July Celebration. ' Remarks were made by M. H. Mitchell, A. B. Norton and Judge Miller on the subject of Popular Sovereignty. It was ordered that the proceedings of the meeting be published in the Democratic Banner. JOHN MARLOW, President. . HeSRT LXVERISC, : Jonx Bogos, V Vice Presidents, i- M. N. Scott, I E. J. ifendenhall, Secretaries. L. Harper. pliil.isiii:d by autiiouitt. No. 94.1 AN ACT To repeal an act entitled "an act further defining the duties of County Treasurers, passed April 8, 1856, and the act amendatory: thereto, pas sed April 10. 1837. Sec. 1, Be it enacted by the General Assem blyof-the State. of Ohio, That the act entitled "an act further defining the duties of County Treasurers," passed April 8, 1856, and the act entitled "an act to amend the act farther defining the duties of county treasurers, pr-sed April 8, 1856," passed April 10, 1857, be and the same are hereby repealed. Provided that the county treasurers who shall have retained funds in their hands for disbursement under the provisions of the acts hereby repealed, shall settle and account with the several boards of township trustees, and education and council of municipal corporations to which said funds may, belong, and npon sach settlement shall pay over to the proper local treasurers any balances remaining in the hands of such connty treasurers.- - Sec 2 This act shall take effect from Ms passage. ; WILLIAM B. WOOD3, Speaker of the House of Representatives. MARTIN WELKER. President of the Senate. March 26; 1859. Vo 95. AN ACT. V Snpplementarr to aa act entitled "an actdefioing - the duties of Jastices of the Peace and Con stables in criminal cases," passed March 27, 1837. 5' "- -.-o.v . , . ' ... . Sec. 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Stat of OhiA. That in the prosecution of all offences whereof JasticM f tha Peace have jurisdiction to try and popioh by fine or otherwise, after the appearance of the ' defendant, and before the Court shall proceed to rcqaire into the inariu of th 5 cause, tha defendant - may demand to be tried by a jury, in which case the Justiaa shall proceed to inquire into the complaint, and commit, discharge or recognize the accused and the same proceedings shall in all other respects be had by aud before the Justice, and in tue Courts of Common Pleas or Probate Courts respectively, as is or may be provided by law in other cases for the prosecution ef crimes and offenses, the punishment whereof is less than imprisonment in the penitentiary. Sec 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage. WILLIAM -B. WOODS, Speaker of the House of Representatives, v MARTIN WELKER, President of the Senate. March 2S. 1850. No. 97. AN ACT. For the further Organization and Discipline of the Militia and Volunteer Militia. Section 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Ohlp, That aocUons four and five of the act entitled "an act to organize and discipline the militia and volunteer militia," passed March 28, 1857, providing for the enrollment by township assessors of tnose subject to do military duty, and payment therefor, be and the same is hereby repealed. . tec. i. I fiat beside toe blank forms now re quired of the adjutant general, there shall be is sued from time to time, under the authority of the commander-in-chief, such general regulations concerning the organization and government of the militia, as will better promote the discipline and order thereof, and sapply such practical de tails as are needed to make that organization sys tematic and complete. Sec 3. That ;he commander-in-chief may, if he shall deem the same advisable, order a camp of instruction to be held once a year, for four days, during the period of legal encampments, at which time the officers of the volunteer milt tia shall be drilled in the school of the soldier and the details of their, command. ' Sec 4. That the proceeds of Bales of uieless arms and equipments hereafter received, shall be applied to tue alteration and repair of such collected arms as are of old pattern, but worth alteration and repair; and if there be any bal ance, the same shall be applied to the purchase of camp equipage, proportioned to the number of arms in use by the state. Sec. 5. That all arms in possession of volunteer companies shalt be kept in armories, aud shall not be taken therefrom except for military purposes,. Sec. 6. That in all cases where no elections have been held for generals of division or brigade, or vacancies shall hererfter arise, through failure to elect, the counties forming such division or brigade territory shall be attached to other divisions or brigades, by order of thecommander-in-chief, until the divisions shall be so reduced and defined as to correspond with the nine constitutional judicial districts, and the number of brigades to that of the judicial sub-districts; provided, that no such absorption shall lessen the present number of brigades in Hamilton county, nor affect the com man d of officers who have been already commissioned. Sec. 7. That the adjutant general shall keep the records, volumes od papers of that department in an offiee at the state house, which he shall hold in common with the quarter-master general, and be shall be alrowtKf for the clerical labor of that office, the sum of four hundred dol lars annually, to be paid semi-annually, as the salary of the adjutant general is now paid. He shall make annual report of all matters coming within his department, which report shall be sub mitted to the governor before eacn meeting of the general assembly; he shall also, so far as prac ticable, inspect, and in the absence of the com mander-in-chief, review at brigade encampments, make report thereof, and keep accurate accounts of the actual expenses therein incurred, which snail oe paid lrora tne contingent tuoa appro priated to bis otace, but without further compen sation for such service. oec. . tne coramander-in'criict snail cause two thousand copies of the acts concerning pub lie arms and the organization of the militia, with an index tbereto,aud all needed forms and blanks to be printed in pamphlet form and distributed, under the direct ion of the adjutant general, of which nnmber one-fourth shall . be bound with substantial cover, for exchange with other states and for the use of general officers and command ants ot regiments, battallions and . companies, and the remaining threo fourths shall be bound with paner only. Sec. 9. This act shall take effect and be In force from and after its passage. WILLIAM B. WOODS, Speaker of the House of Representatives. MARTIN WELKER, President of the Senate. March 26, 1859. No. 100 AN ACT To Organize and Regulate an Independent Militia. Section 1. Bait enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio, That for the purpose of creating greater efficiency in the militia aystem in counties having cities; with a larger population than eight thousand, it shall be lawful for any members of the enrolled militia to embody and organize themselves iuto indpendeut companies, squadrons, battalions and retjiments iu manuer aud form and ubjt?rl to the provisions and restrictions hereinafter yrecribed and provided such organization shall be of no charge or expense to the state. - Sec. 2- In each of aald counties members of the regularly enrolled militia may organize themselves iats companies as hereinafter provided; aud each company may ordain and establish such by laws, rules and regulations as they may deem neeeaaary and propor for their good government, and as may not be inconsistent with this act or the constitution of this state and of the United States. Sec. 3. That in eah of said counties, compan ies may anite and form a battalion to be composed of not less than two nor more than five compau- ' ie, which companies shall bo designated by toe number 1, 2, 3, 4, aud 5, and shall cooalut of not less than forty' (49) nor more than one hundred 100 men, rank aod file; tod la addition to its complement of officers and men ou the active roll. each company may receive ana enrou irom loriy (40) to one hand rid (100) contributing members who shall b subject to such contributions, duties and service a may be prescribed bj the rales and regulations of th company. The members of each company shall have power to elect one captain, a first lieutenant and oth-rauch ofScers as may be necessary; and when two compans shall have, been duly organized and nailed, they shall have power to elect a major, an adjutant, a quarter-master,. a pay-master, idi Borgson; and when four companies shall have noited, they shall have power to elect a lieutenant colonel; and whoa more than five companies shall have been duly organized and united, they may form and organize themselves Into a regiment and elect a fall complement of regimanUl officers; all of which aald ofBoera so oloctod shall be commit-ionod and qualified as efneers of like grades Ja the volantoer militia of the Sute; and at any meeting or parade too senior ofBcor present shall pro-sioo or have commaad. Sec. 4. That said companies or other organisations as here! a provided,' shall be separata from and Independent of any and all ether military organizations and commands whatever In the state,; aad shall be subject solely to the direct call ef the governor of the state and of the regularly constituted civil authorities, for tha suppression of in-sarrectioa sad riot, or the repelling of invasions or too enforcement of the oxecotion ef the laws according to the provisions of the constitution and. laws of the state, and la all .eases of demand t reqoisitlon for a military forea ly thher!3 r mayor, it aaal bo Oy appiicai:oa to the superior Cora missioned eiZesr ia rank at tLo t ;.ns rreooat la the city, town or oounty where sach service Is required. Sec 5.' All sach companies, battalions and regiments when organized, ahalt be armed and drilled as sear as practicable la accordance with' the system of the United Slates army for like organisations; and whllo in actuat service, aha it bo governed by the principles of the military laws" of the state aad the rules and articles of war of the United Slates. " ' . Sec 6. Every battalion or regfmoht shall, immediately npon its organization, fix aertaia days ' not less than threo In nnmber. opoa which la oaah and every year, and at sach hoars as may bo specified, it shall meet for parade and military oxerclse. Sec. 7. Every battalion or regiment shall, once In each year during the mouths of Joly, August or September, hold an encampment to continue not lass than three days; and the efneers acd soldiers forming such encampment, shall ha drilled In accordance with the reqoiromeata of the rules and usages of the United Slates army j and when practicable to be Inspected by the adjutant general, and the commandant shall cause five days public notice to bo given of the time and plane of sach encampment, " Sec. 8. Every active and contributing member of ouch Independent companies shall, while a. member of such company, be exempt from labor on me public highway . of tnls elate and from service as iurora; and every member who ohall hava been held to duty, daring a period of five years, shall be entitled to a certificate from his commandant showing sach service, and shalt bo exeaapo, from military duty in ilme of peace. Sec. 9. Such independent companies shall bo entitled to the use of the pnblio arms of the state subject to the eme obligations and restriction as those imposed upon other military organisations in the state. Sec. 10. The stylo of the uniform shall bo such ss each, compruy .may adopt, provided that . the uniform of all companies orgaulsed Into a battalion or regimeut shall be one and alike, snd the uniform of baltulion and regimental ofScers shall correspond therewith. WILLIAM B. WOODS, f Speaker of the House of Representatives. MARTIN WELKER, March 2C, 1859. President of the Senate. No. 107.1 : AN ACT To amend and supplementary to an act entitled "An act to provide for the oatablishmofat and . government of Reform Schools," passed April 2, 1858. . Section 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Slate of Ohio, That the board af commissioneiS for reform schools are hereby authorized to expend upon the balldlnga now erected upon the btate Reform Farm, twelve hundred dollars iu addition to the amount fixed by law in section nine of the act to which this is supplementary; provided that such additional expense ah all be confined to useful and necessary Improvements. Sec. 2. Any person that shall entice any youth detained upon the State Reform Farm, to eooapo or aid and abet him in his escape, or shall, after his escape, knowing him to be a fugitive from said Stats Reform Farm, harbor him, shall, on conviction thereof, bo deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and bo fined In a eum not exceedingone hundred dollars, or confined In the county jail for a period not exceeding six months, or both, at the discretion of the court. Sec 3. The State Reform Farm is hereby de clared to be a special road district, and the chief . officer upon said farm is hereby vestod with ail the powers or a supervisor of roads for said district. He is authorized to alter the public roads upon said farm In such manner as shall bo foand necessary for tho general plan and oatliao of tho same; provided, however, that no alteration shall be made by which existing roads shalt bo greatly lengthened, or their grade materially - increased . or their general use to the poblio materially impaired; and provided farther, that sach alterations be approved by the county commissioners of the county of Fairfield. ' Sec 4. The city council of any city In this State are hereby authorized to apply such-pooa-ulary aid as they may doom proper, bat not to exceed throe thousand dollars in any one year, towards tho establiahmout of one or more reformatories in said city, of such a character as is fixed by law in. seotious sixteen, aud seventeen of the, act to which this is supplementary. m - Sec. 5. That section six of tho act to which this act Is supplementary bo . so amended as to . read as follows: Sec C The said board of commissioners shall continue to consist of the threo members now appointed for the period of their appointment, and their powers snd duties shell bo as designated in this act. Their successors shall be appointed by the governor, by and with the advice of the senate, due of their number being designated by the appointing power aforesaid, acting commissioner, and ail of them to hold their offioen for three years from the day of their appointment, and nntil their successors are appointed and qualified, unless vacancies occur from death, resignation, or removal, for cause as herein provided. Said commissioners shall, before entering npon the da-ties of their office, take an oath or affirmation an required by the constitution of this stale, and also give such bond in such amount, and with such security, as may bo approved by tho governor, said bond to be deposited with tho treasurer of state. The acting commissioner shall receive a salary not exceeding eighty-four dollars per month, to bo paid quarterly, and to be fixed by the sikl board of commissioners, by and with tho advice and consent of - - the governor, but no other fees, perquisites, or personal expenses whatever, and tho two advisory commissioners sh 11 receive five dollars per diom for the time actually employed, but no traveling or " other expenses or fees whatever. The aclingcom-missioner shall reside on the farm and devote all his time to the duties of his office. Tho board may appoint a matron to reside npon the farm at a compensotion not exceeding two hundred dollars per annum. . The board shall meet at least onco a month; but no per diem shall be paid to any com-. missioner for more than forty-five days in any one year; aud the salary and per diem shAll bo paid oat of the treasury of the stale, oq tho order of said board of commissioners upou tho warrant of the auditor of state. - - Sec, 6. Sections 6, 18, 19 and 20 of the not to which this is amendatory, are bereSy repealed. ' 4ec. 7. 1 his act shall take effect and bo in forco from and after its passage. WILLIAM B. WOODS, Speaker of the House of Representative. MARTIN WELKER. President of tho Senate. March 26, 1859. No. 101 AN ACT " To amend the act entitled "An act prohibiting any citizen of this Stato from holding, by apjoist- ment, more than one of several otficos, therein named, at tho same time. . . ictios. 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio, That no citizen of this State shall hold, by appointment or election, at tho same period of time, more than one of tbw offices herein mentioned, to wit: tho office f sheriff, connty auditor, connty treat a re r, clerk of the court of common pleas, connty recorder, prosecuting attorney, and probate judge; and bo iacam bent of any of the foregoing offices shall bo eligible to bold tho office of justice of ike peace dur lag the period of time b shall hold sach coaniv office. Sec. 2. That the act entitled "an act nrohlbi- ting say citizen of this State from holding, bv ap pointment, more than one ef several ofBces thoro-in named, at tho same time," passed February 14, 1840, bo and the same io hereby repealed. bzo. Z. mis act shall tain effect and beta force from aad after Its passage. i WlLUAM U.WUUU3, - . Speaker of the Iloasoof RepreenUtives, " MARTIN WELKER, ' president of the Senate. Marsh 3, 1853. ' ArDiToas Orrrcx? ; i Mr. Vernon, April 20 1S59. j T hereby certiff , that the foregoing laws, ara eorrrect eotiescf tha laws famished ti,i cZz , by the Secretary of State. - 5 : " ' ' ' Auditor Knox Coanty, CLLa,