The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1868-01-28
TUESDAY, lIORN1Na, JAN. IS.

Mr.. B1A1R's remarks in the House
of Delegates, in regard to the impro-
priety of the Legislature embarking in
Federal politics, strikes US as having,
just at this time, some considerable per-
tinency and force. For instance, it Is
proposed to set apart tomorrow for the
discussio n of the resolutions introduced
on Saturday last by Mr.. Jacob, of this
county, in regard to the financial policy
of the Government. 1t is proposed to
pass joint resolution instructing our
Senators, and requesting our Represen-
tatives in Congress, to vote for the pay
mant of the bonds in greenbacks, and
generally for a greenback policy,
including plenty of them. Saying
nothing at all about the merits of the
resolution as a mere question for de-
bate, we should like to know what
special points are expected to be
brought out for the enlightenmento of
our Senators and Representatives at
Washington. They are presumed to
have some opportunities for informing
themselves on these complicated and
embarrassing questions, that are not
enjoyed by members of the Legislature.
Among these facilities we may men
ton the fact that they are brought daily
and almost hourly into legislative re-
1ations with these issues. The best
talent of the Countrywide largest expe-
rience-the most learned writer's among
those who have to do with finance in
all its branches and in all ito greatest
and most comprehensive relations to
the country and to the civilized world,
concentrate in some shape or other at
Washington. Our representatives are,
of course, brought in contact with these
influences, and they necessarily become
familiar with details that are scarcely
known to others with fewer opportuni-
ties. With what propriety, then, can
they be instructed how to vote by those
who, from the very nature and neces-
sity of their surroundings, cannot pre-
sumo to compete with them in informa-
ton, and still less to assume the role of
instructors. Very few members OF the
legislature have been called to deal
with financial matters in a general and
extended way. Like the most of peo-
ing after very limited area of
monied operations. OF all questions
that could arise, it is almost the special
one on which the members must feel
themselves far out at sea without chart
or compass. And it certainly is the
one of all others in regard to which
there ought to be no crudities of action,
especially if that action is expected and
intended to influence critical expert
ments.
One of the members of the Legisla-
ture in speaking on this subject on
Saturday, felt himself called upon to
confess that the more he had heard
at Washington in regard to inan-
cial matterss during a recent visit,
the more uncertain and unstable he
felt in regard to his opinions. And how
many people must confess to the same
status of mind on the same topics. And
how appropriately reluctant should
we be, under such circumstances, to
send on a set of instructions to our
Representatives that are not based upon
an examination and information equal
at least to their own3 The Ma
tional finances are not questions to be
played with, nor yet to be used for the
promotion of any species of partisan
excitement. There are other isms that
may serve for buncombe II any one is
looking after that sort of capital. But
let matters that are necessarily SO vital
In their character alone, SO long as it
is certain that their discussion will not
eventuate in conclusions that ought not
to bind anybody save those who accept
them. Our Senators aud Representa-
tives must answer to the people for
their votes, even should they obey ever
SO often any instructions from the Leg
islature. And so long as the Legisla-
ture cannot shield them from their re-
sponsibility to the people 1t has no right
to restrain their Independent action.
The old doctrine of legislative instruc-
tions is a mischievous heresy that we
would gladly see cast out of our West
Virginia politics.