Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1863-01-01

Editors EntciligWctr:
The evils which result from tho present
high salaries Of our State officials are
scarcely to be computed in dollars and
cents.
First. We will consider the scramble for
Office which it creates.
The money to be pocketed by the sue
cessful aspiIant to office, bring, out class
of meu whose ruling passions are avaricc
and cupidity. These men are not at all
scrupuloug, what means they employ, to
further their election. Our candidates for
office, frequently receive their first aid from
set OF court house and bar.room loaf
ers, who, OF all others, have the least
moral and intellectual qualifications to
Judge the fitness ot tho candidate for his
office.
Then look at the amount of time and
means spent in slectiOneerns On such
occasions, intoxicating drinks become as
cheap ns water. Many persons acquire,
and others are confirmed in love OF whiS-
ky, by this process. This electioneering
strife is somstimes carried to such pitch
that tho ties Of family and friendship, are
rent Nsunder, and committees are aliena-
ted from, and carried against each other.
Then look at the Influence OF large pay,
after the successful candidate takes his
seat. He has spent large sum to procure
his election, and needs long term to re-
numerAte him. Consequently he ID not
anxious to expedite business. Go to the
Legislative hall, and you will commonly
see many seats empty. Where are the
members Perhaps recovering from a
nights debauch, or attending to private
business, or perhaps purpOsely absent TO
shirk the responsibility of vote on some
important question. Thus fur times the
necessary time aud expense arc consumed
in ZACH session Of our fsliberatiYs bodies.
Now letus picture the effects OF small
salaries. Let the mileagebe reducedto the
actual travelling expenses BY the most
economical voute, and the salaries reduced
so that it would be precuniAry sacrt.
fee to any competent man to hold Office
Avaricions and selfish men would not seek
offices. Every voter would select bis own
candidate. The evils OF electioneering
would cease; men of high moral virtue, pn.
rity of character, and lofty patriotism
would then fill our Offices. For the people,
when left 10 themselves would select good
men.
These men, thus chosen. by the free un.
trameled vote of the people, once in the
Legislative halls, would be deSirous to do
the business und return home. Each man
having accepted the office from patrio'ic
motives would have the good OF his country
nt heart, and would not spend his time in
considering what effect his votes would
have on his chances Of re election to office.
Thus ths work would be well and speedily
done, and many thousand dollars would be
saved which NrenoW wrung from the indus
trious poor in heavy taxes.
The position seems to be indsputable,
that the higher the salaries the moro cor
ruption VIC willhavc in public functionaries,
and the government will be the more OPP
pressive to the people.
Ancient Rome mud Greece in the earlier
period OF their Republics, afford US some
striking examples Of ardent and unselish
patriotism. We cite but II solitary exam
pie. In a time OF great national danger,
tho Roman Senate decreed that Cincinnatus
should be made dictator. The persons who
bore these tidings to him, found him plOw-
ing in his field. He at once repaired to the
city of Seven Hills, aud having matters ar.
ranged there to his mind, took charge Of
the armies in the field, defeated and drove
from the country the enemies of the rCpub.
lie, aud having restored the country to
profound peace, resigned his dictatorship
before hi8 term was half expired and retir.
ed to his scnnty farm TO earn mis- bread by
the sweat Of his brow.
1t WAS hoped that in the convHIsons Of
the political elements Of West Virginia.
purer and loftirr patriotism would have
been developed in our legislative bodies -
But It has turned out somewhat after the
moral Of one oil Esop'3 fables. ~ fox be.
ing beset with swnrms OF hungry flies, n
swallow kindly offered to drive them away ;
but the fox begged her to dcsist lest
swarms, still more hungry should succeed
them SCRiWE.
Weston, Va, Dec 30, 1862
Some Good Resolutions.