The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1866-01-19
The Legislature.

SlnCe tuS hSNhAAE3 ~ sN~>
last Tuesday morning, our available
space has beenso crowded by the publ
cation of the Governors message and
other important documents that we
have not yet had an opportunity OF say.
ing q word in relation to the members OF
the Legislature themselves. rlfl
In the first place, then, we would ln'
form those of our readers who are LOOK
ing with anxiety to see the course when
our lawmakers will pursue in TINS I'M
pertant crisis in the history of the State,
and are vibrating between hope an"
fear concerning the future internal peace
and prosperity of the Commonwealth
that, Judging alone from personal ap-
pearance and the indications of charac'
ter which it affords, the present Leglsla-
ture is superior in mental calibre ana
ability to that which convened here
last winter The members are better
looking set of men, and when in their
respective halls have more the semblance
ola legislative body than any previous
set ofleeislators whom we have seen as
SAMPLED in this State. What their
course will be in reference to the
various important measures which
must come before them lot
consideration We are as yet unable to
Judge. There has been no action taken
during the few days they have already
been in session to compel them to SHOW
their hands, and we deem it unsafe to
predict what their course will be. a
large majority in both Houses has been
elected upon the Republican ticket it is
true; but whether the same majority will
be found ready to sacrifice State to par
ty, and, in violation of their oatbs of Of
fee, and in subversion of the constitu-
ton of the State, follow in the path
marked out By preceding Legislatures
here, remains yet to be seen. They have
an opportunity of redeemins our Legis-
lation from the disgrace into which. it
has fallen. and of endearlng themselves
to all who love Justice and revere the
forms of republican government. Will
they do 1t !
There are in each branch of the Legis-
lature q few men-a mere handful-of
avowed conservative inclinations. They
need to stand close together, support
ing and encouraging each other, and,
with Spartan frmness, resist the 7ery
beginnings of such radicaGsm as has
heretofore been rampant il our legisla-
tive bodies Though few il nuinber,
they can accomplish much good and
mako themselves lo-ed b the people,
and feared and respected Dy their foes
IN this connection il mag be proper for
rs to romark that while Te highly
respect the motives witch hare actuated
Dr.. }, THOMPSON, Of Putnam county,
u refusing to take the test cath and oc-
oupy his seat ia the House Of Delegates,
re regret Tery mach that he has felt
himself impellcd to such course de
has all the qualifications necessary foT a
leader in that House he is unsuTpass-
ed in mental ability, IN fertility of re-
source, in legislative experience. il
nerve, firmness aud determination, By
any member upon that floor. lie hi ght
be the means OF accomplishing much
good for the conservative cause There
is no obstacle in the way of ;his taking
the oath, beyon the unfeigned raluct-
auce he feels to sanctioning what lie be-
lie7es to be al unconstitutional aud un-
righteous law by complying with itsp pro-
visions Wehopor him for his firm ad-
hsrence to his convictions, while We can
lot but deplore the loss Of bis talents
and his influence in the Legislature -
His case affords only another proof OF the
wrong done by such legislation as that
which has eau sed him to refuse his seat
And. still another example of the eff.
feet Of such legislation is seen in the eX-
clusion of Mr. MATTHEWS from the place
IN the Senate to which he has been fairly
elected The people of the Ninth Sena
torial district are deprived of repre-
sentative because they elected their most
competent man. and the State at large
Is deprived of the services OF one who
would have n Sde his mark in the Senate
by his brilliant and able advocacy of
measures intended to promote the COM
mon veal The exclusion of Mr. WITH
ROW and others from seats in the House
afford other examples of the workings OF
the radical system which has made our
representative government mere mock.
cry, and our republcansm farce 1t is |
enough to make every man who truly |
loves his country and his State Clinch |
hard bis teeth, and knit his sinews firm,
and determine like the Roman orator
Who concluded all his speeches with the |
declaration Carthage est deleada, that
10 effort shall bewarting, no means TN
tried, that shall deliver tie State from
the unholy domination Of those VINO
rule it only to ruin.
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90 The Municipal Election
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