Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1851-04-08

y introducing bis propositions as to Taaes
and GuaraHties. vi
l stated distinctly, when I submitted those
propositions, that designed pressing them
upon the consideration Of the Convection
without the slightest reference to the ques-
ton. whether the East or the West SHOULD
succeed in the contest now going on upon
this noor. / said that our experience in the
legislation of the State during the last twenty
years had Sufficiently proved, in my opinion,
that the possession Of the control Of the
Legislature by an Eastern majority bad been
no safeguard against the abuse Of that pow
err Of reckless and injudicious appropriation.
and that bad no reason to suppose that if
that power were transferred to the West,
without proper limitation. it might net be
equally liable to abuse: and, therefore IN
presenting these propositions | distinctly
stated that ! designed pressing them upon
the consideration Of the Convention without
the slightest regard to the fact as to which
party should succeed in the pending contro-
versy The second error which the gentle
man committed in treating Of these PROPOSE
items was, in representing them as yielding
the power of appropriation TO the unchecked
and uncontrolled action Of the popular ma
jority of voters at the polls Now claim
no merit for introducing this plan; claim
not the credit of its paternity; and desire
in few words to explain it to the Conven-
ton so that if gentlemen choose to make re !.
ference to it they may do it Understandings
The plan proposes that the legislature shall
have no power to contract debts beyond the
fixed sum of one million of dollars unless for
the purpose ofrepelling invasion, suppressing
instruction. or defending the State in case Of
war This refers to debts hereafter to be
contracted. 1t then proposes, in reference
to debts that exceed that amount, that be-
fore the legislature shall have power to con-
tract such debts. that the law shall in the
first place explicitly authorize the creation Of
that debt for some specific object or work ;
secondly, that that law shall provide at the
same time for the imposition and collection
of an annual tax, sufficient to pay the inter-
est on the debt thus created and discharge
the principal within a period of eighteen
years and thirdly, that this law shall not
receive the sanction of the legislative de
partment until itlreceives the vote Of ma
jority of all the members elected to both
branches of the General Assembly, MAORI
ty that will practically amount TO at least q
two thirds vote, and that the yeas and nays
shall be recorded on the passage of the law
These are very important safeguards so far
but the scheme proceeds a step further, and
declares that this law thus creating a debt
binding upon the commonwealth shall not PC
into effect until submitted to the people al
the polls, and there sanctioned by them; and
titexpfessly provides that notwo laws shall
be submitted to the people at one genera
election Without meaning to enter further
into an explanation ofthe merits the scheme
for would not trespass SO far upon the cour
tesy of my colleague as to do so now, | vii
simply state that at least three results viii
follow its adoption; whetherlthe results b
desirable or not it is for this Convention te
determine in the FIRST place. and afterward:
for the people They would be these: Tn,
first result would be to cut up by the root:
all those petty and local appropriations O
which our statute book furnishes SO many apt
striking illustrations. II is idle to suppos,
tor moment that appropriations Of tina
character could pass through the ordeal pre-
| SNtipcu W sncst PiopositioHS. ne next re
suit chat would follow would be the eradica.
ton from the halls Of Lee islation of the whole
practice oflog rolling and the entire system
of lobby membership. The third result thai
would follow would be the concentration O
the energies and resources of this State upor
those great works of internal improvement
which are alone worthy, 10 my judgement, O
the patronage of the State and which Ger.
taiply alone could receive the sanction of tn,
voice of the people at the polls. / do no
know how some gentlemen may regard tht
idea of submitting questions of this kind t.
the direct vote of the people, but it has al
ways been viewed with favor by me.
Mr.. Scott Of Fduquier on the Mined Basi,
as to the guarantees, &c.