Wheeling compiler. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [i.e. W. Va.]) 1829-1831, 1830-11-24

not Che garrison been again changed ana
replaced by royal guards. Still as the
ConsUuuouahsts had also friends among
the latter, they did not despair Of soon &C.
cupyiug the place. The want of money
was lie greatest lmPedimeutto their move
mcnts.
The following memorial is published IN
the Winchester papers, and is intended to
call the attention ofthe Virginia legislature
TO a subject of very great interest TO the
people throughout the State, nine tenths Of
whom. we are pursuaded, viii subscribe to
tho czpediency oftho change prayed i'r
To The Gcncrqt .7ssewJly Of TrgiHio:-
The memorial Of the Undersigned, citi-
zcns oC---county, responsibilities
presents:
Tina, your mcmoriolists cherish The most
unieigned regard tor the laws and instItu
lions. generally, of OUT ancient common
wealth; but whilst they yield to none mat.
ecuonatc attachment for the political M
suuGons Of thc state of their birth aud Of
thcir adoption, they are not iusensible that.
defects, glari0g defects. exist 10 some of.
the statutes of the sfate-delects, which.
the observation and experience Of past
years; iu the view Of your memoriallsts,
imDeriously require the prompt lnterposi
ton ofvoUr honorable bodies.
Your mcm0rialists disclaim entertaining
any desire for Fanlon innovation on long
established usages which experience has
proved 20 be SaIUtary and wise; out they
are constrained 10 pronounce the existing
laws for holding the elections of this com
m00wea .,h, as not Of that class.
Your memoullists deprecate that pro-
visions of the election laws which direct
tha, ibe elections shall be held on the res
Dcctire court days On the month of April
The evils which that provision give rise to,
are particularly TO be regretted, in refer
c0ce SOB the congressional and senatorial
elections
Your memorialists deem itan act ofsu-
percrogluoU TO enter into an elaborate de-
Gail of the various objections to which the
present system, generally, IS obnoxious
Let few sufice-others win doubtless oc-
cur 90 ihe minds of your honorable body:-
Humilatiug as is the fact, It neverihe-
less cannot be denied, that the intervening
time which occurs between the different G.
lecuons of The counties comprising either
congressional ora senatorial district, when
different candidates present themselves, is
generally employed 10 pursuing system
of clecu0neo ing and intrigue, totally IN
compatible, as your mcmoualists believe,
with the purity and independence of the G.
lecuve franchise, and dlsCracefuI 20 free
men, The political strength Of a partcu-
OAR candidate ltor example Ia an election
which has passed, IN one or more counties,
being ascCralncd. the political machinery
of others, yet 20 follow, Is set IN motion to
defeat him: combinations are formed
compromises made the passions Of the
people are arousod-county Is arraycd a.
gainst county; and, in fine, a state of things
revolving TO every honorable and patriotic
mind, IS engendCrcd
This, your memoriaIIsts aver, is not
merely faney sketch; such instances hare
occurred; and under the present system,
must necessarily continue TO occur. What
plan, then, so rational. and so well Calcu
lated 90 avert the evils which have been en-
umon.cd, as to have all The elections In
the commonwealth to take place on the
same day! A plurality of votes govern
ing our elections, the change proposed
would doubtless ensure the faircst eypres-
sion OF the viii of the people: the voters
would thus exercise the elective franchise
totally uncontrolled by adventurous cir
cumstanceS; a day or two would determine
our elections; the strife would have bat an
.ephemcral existence; reason would promDt.
Iy resume her empire, and harmony he rs
promptly restored. What an eaviable
state of things when cOntrasted with the @.
wis which the present system gives birth
90, VIII. or can the representatives. Of the
people hesitate as to which they prelerl
Your memorialists farther pray, that the
election laws OF the commonwealth be also
co amended. IN reference 10 the duration
Of the elections. as TO leave nothing in the
discretion Of either candidates, sherifs or
commissioners. The provisions of the
law. upon the subject, your memoyialists
deem vague and underlined, and suscepta-
bic Of great abuse. Sheriffs are but men
prone TO the same passions and in6rmi-
ties that othermen are; hsy also have their
preiudicas and then predictions. The