Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1863-02-24
The new state Const,tption.

opinion, assert that the Constitution franz
ed for the people OF West Virginia by their
Convention is one of the best, if not abb
solutely the best, of any OF the States of
The Union. 1t is not an unreasonable er-
pectatiOn that it should be, foritis the las,
ons made. The trainers had the benefit Of
loore examples than any similar body in
the country; and emineutly liberal and In
teIligent in their craftsmanship as large
majority of them were, they did not refuse
to avail themselves of the best lights sf-
'orded by the experience Of others-aud we
might add the dearly bought experiences
OF themselves aud their constituents
They have at least given US a constitution
greatly superior to the one uadcr which
We have been living, in respect to its
adaptation to the wants of ,his section and
People-so much superior that we cannot
see how any Intelligent voter can refuse
to accept it Instead. Certainly If ANNA
ted only by desire to secure the best syg-
tenn Of government. he could not. The
vote on this Constitution, since the final
action of the Convention, is to decide the
most momentous question that tue peoule
of West Virginia ever yet decided ut the
polls; and until it is decided it ought to
swallow up every other interest and issue.
With reasonable degree of confidence in
the intelligence and virtue Of the people,
we cannot think they will reject this Con-
stitution, especially when they remember
that along with it they accept or reject the
new State, which if accepted can be- in
harmonious operation within hundred
days. II we can contribute one iota to
making that result more sure, or the ex
preston in favor OF i. more unanimous
than it otherwise would be, Wa shall be
bountifplIy repaid for whatever of feeble
effort VIC have hitherto made or may here
sfler make for the establishment of the
new State
Within day or two the third edition of
the Constitution, amended as it iuallv
came from the hands of the Convention.
will be issued. THIS, with the former edi.
tons, will make some 10000 comics sent
o"t-enough aud more than enough 10
place one in the hands of every voter. No
Convention in the State, or perhaps in any
Other, ever provided so literally Tor the
dissemination of any Constitution sent 10
the people to be ratified. Yot there are
many who will give it but cursorv en-
animation, and may DO some who will mt
read it all. We believe every man who
can he induced 10 read it in spirit of tnir-
ness cnnnot but admire its many excellen-
cies and give it his vote. Ills with the hone
that some may be induced TO give it "A more
attentive perusal than they otherwise
would that we propose to speak of some
OF its most prominent lpatures-not in n
profound way, of course. for we didn't
have anything to.do with making il, and
cannot DO expected to understand it like
those who did. There are some subjects
connected with parts of it that have long
been matters of public discussion. Some
provisions are new 10 us here in Virginia
yet Of advantages easy to be comprehend.
ed In whatever we may have to say of
any OF them, it will be as commenting aud
not expoundiog, and we shall aim to sav II
ia plain, practical way, easily under
stood
Perhaps no feature of this instrument
comments itself more heartily than that
relating to the proposed SYSTEM of Taxation
and Finance. (Art. s.y The reform here
proposed is one of vital moment Govern.
men's are like households: il their system
of finance is defective, 10 matter how well
ordered other departments may be- thew
will come to grief il not bankruptcv 1,
is the basis ON which every government
rests. ~ good finance system will make a
government prosperous in spite of many
prejudicinl ana odions laws. while the mos,
liberal laws will mil to protect the peo.
pie from oppression if its finances bebadlv
managed. The State of Pennsylvania, and
others that could be named, hare furnished
examples to prove the truth of tho remark.
There is no subject that comes SO directly.
home to us here in Westera Virginia az
this This is one of the rocks-indeed ".
h'gnt say ina rock-on which East and
West Virginia split many years ago. 1t
needs no argument to assure the reader
how defective has been the finance
and taxation system of Virginia. In the
early part OF our history it was prudeu.ly,
partially and rather ssingily managed, and
We kept pretty clear of debt, but within
the past ten or fifteen wears 49,. -
greatness seems to have possessed the East
and led to such injndiciOus financial
management that when ,herebellion broke
ont we were we'll on to 6r,y millions in
debt. Weare not going into the snbisn.
mlnntsly, for tue brief limits allotted to
this paper, and those to follow, viii NOT
! permit details or elaborate nrr,,.,,.... ~