The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1868-11-19
[From the Greenbrier Independent /
West Virginia Despotism. ifa

w We nave Deen surprised more than
once at the want of information
abroad, even in the adjoining States,
concerning West Virginia despotism.
1t is fact of easy demonstration,
that even the Southern States, ruled
as they are by the sword, are more
free to-day than the always loyal State
of West Virginia. -, -. =,
In this State ther e are not less than
twenty-five thousand disfranchised
citizens. No, not "citizens " for the
amended Constitution of the State de-
clares that they can never become eiti-
zens; although they, were born on her
soil, have lived here all their lives, and
are heavily taxed to support the mru-
nicipal, State and National Govern
ments. They are aliens on their; ma
tive soil, as far as the State Constitu-
ton can make them aliens.
In this county alone, there are ], 400
disfranchised men, comprising the
wealth, intelligence, public spirit, and
moral worth of Greenbrier.
In this town. with a population OF
200, there are only eight voters and
yet in this county there is not one dis
loyal man, excepting the Radicals, who
are all disloyal. In West Virginia
there are not less than 25, 900 men who
cannot hold any Office, sit on a jury
or teach public school.
In West Virginia there are not less
than $4,000 men who cannot obtain
judgments upon old debts due them.
or enforce contracts. i, =: o..
In West Virginia the taxes for coun-
ty and township purposes are eight
time heavier than before the. war.
l.. In West Virginia we, have five paid
officers now for one before the war.
In West, Virginia the salaries OF
county officers are double, and some
of them treble what they were before
the war. -. ..---......
In West Virginia, especially in the
border counties, the offices are, with
few exceptions, filled by the most ig-
norant and vicious of the population.
In West Virginia three men in each
county, known as the county board of
registration, are actually licensed, by
an act of the Legislature to enter on
record that their fellow citizens are
perjurers! ca.o....f. -. a.. =.
In West Virginia the county boards
of registration have entire control of
every Office in the State. The board of
registration of Ohio county can unseat
Governor Boreman by merely scratch
ing his name from the list of register
ed vote rs. The board of registration
of Monroe can unseat Judge Nat.
Harrison in the same way. No man
can hold office unless he isa voter
No man can be a, voter unless he is
registered. No man can register, or
remain registered, without the, consent
of the board of registration. Scratch
Boreman's name or Harrison's name
from the registry, and the sceptre of
power drops from their neryeless
grasp. I'M, .-..=.-
Did. such a state, of things ever be-
fore exist in any civilized community !?
Has as mean, contemplate, sneaking,
cowardly, brutal despotism as that
of West& irginia ever before rejoiced
the hearts of devils, Or. called for the
avenging bolts of-heaven ~ -
"Mountaineers always freel" Oh,
what a mockery Of a noble sentiment! {!
What brazen-faced leI There is no
freedom in these mountains, except
the freedom of ignorance and villainy
to lord it over intelligence and hon
tees'y. gari-t ~l. -... E.-.--...