Wheeling times and advertiser. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1839-1849, 1848-12-16

treated only two died.
Cy We are grateful to the Belmont
Chronicle and other papers in Ohio iof the In
terest they manifest in a question which we
have greatly at heart; but we must solicit
lille forbearance in the expression OF their
local views upon a national question in con-
nection with this matter. In oil questions
vitality sffectiug the interests Of . people the
end should ever be kept in view. ever remem-
bering that incidental principles discussed
upon their abstract merits, are forever en-
bauassing to the main question. Now II
the papers OF any state would take hold OF
this on, sion, basing their argument upon
TIE facts that we have presented or msy pre-
sent. and discuss the matters at issue be-
tween Eastern and Western Virgins iairIy.
notas northern men or southern men; but
as genuine American Republicans, who only
desired to impress congres. with the duty I'M
posed on them by the constitution oiguaran-
tieing to every state a republican form oil gov
eminent, they could render great service to
cause which, properly understood, must en-
list the sympathies OF all, and which being
fayoraoly decided, would greatly add to the
whole heart OF the union, checking the enot-
nous emigre ION To the extremes.
We present the matter again, stating all
the questions issue iairly, summing up
the grounds upon which. should convention
based upon The free white population Of the
state be denied US, an appeal will be msde 70
congress to dl.chslse her duty to ue. Should
that event occur, this will cease to be iocsa
controversy, and the whole country will b
called upon 10 sct Vi on il cons,itutionally.
The olsims presented byOs are Tor
Equal Representation in the legislature and
M Congress, basrd upon the free white pop
ulation oil tie stat. as Desr ~ pnctiesbIe.
This il The first and most vital matter. As
the legislative power now resting IN each
eastern man is twice al great as in zach wes-
tern man. In the lover house there is in cas-
tern Nlrginis. now, one representative
TO every 467S persons, and IN the west but
one to every 5000. The senatorial represent
alton is divided III like manner. and tho leg
islature elecling all the other officers Ct gov
eminent as wei ss making all the laws,
fraction less than one hall the people in Wes-
tern Virginia are entirely Invested Of all poIit-
ical power. They are taxed wilhou, icing
represented.
The election Of Governor and state officers by
the people Although the evils under which
We now labor from the election oil these OH
GERS by the legislature would be materially
reduced by an equal opporlionment Of that
body, inasmuch as they would be selected
without regard to locality; yet the foundation
on which republicsnisn res.s requires that
political power should Be derived directly
IRON the people.
SafrGgs.-The restriction Of this privilege
~ certain classes is snu-republiean, more es-
p>cially where the power exists within the
legislature to confne ii to lsad-holders alone.
Courts Of Justice.-The extraordinary for
nation OF our county co1rtA il another feature
oil our state government which, iIom iu IN
ccptlon TO it, close, bids defence to ell the
claims OF rrpublcanism. The people have
no VOICE, either directly or indirectly In the
creation OF this body, or the othcrs growing
cut OF il, aud The TACT that magistrates are not
paid, adds 10 their temptation 10 wrong. In
TACT looking al the law which creates and
pcrpetuates this body, & power vested in II,
and taking our own county court ~ the eri-
terion lor Judgment, we are surpris ed that
40 lew evils are islt. However, nost couo'
ties in the state are less favored than onrs, ~
here the accession OF rnierprising men OF
worth, has served 10 dilluse smons our msgis-
trsles d greater variety OF interests than ID
found in any other county in the state. and
Infused into il d greater degree OF knowledge
Of strictly tepubiican lorna Of govefnmen,;--
Vet this does rot remove the TACT that III
this body latent power exists over which
the people 10 not, never have had aud never
viii have any control under oar present con-
stiuution, that, it exercised. would take ir"m
Us he privileges which are designsd to be
guaranteed by cur republican government
That our magistrates do not impose taxes ios
The construction OF roads aud bridges fof their
own exclusive benefit, and ia various Other
ways oppfeas The People-ihst our soshus "
MOI grind the iaces OF The pour aud disregard
The clsi.ls oil hu,uaui,y, ss circumstances
honorable 10 thrm; but do not viudicate the
law that makes them. Ii is not ~ through
cut lhe state; sod il it were IT might not ell
uays be 20. The lions spare US, bus Who de
tends Is q gainsI the Tiger aud hyela Who may
t.ke lheir lsoes7
There aTe many secondary refonns ~hichs
properly otsanlled legislature would s9on
mske, such ss the pro,i.,oe Tor payment oil
jurors snd many petty grievances which
leave u scarcely vestige u ,hs, republican
ism which our government IL bound 10 guar
autee to Va.
The eulIurs OF sugar has been commenced