The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1869-11-18
Registrusien Reform.

Editors Of the egistei: "
The constantly increasing compiainrs
of the conduct of the Board of yegistra'
tion throughout the State demand, at
the approaching session of the Legisla-
ture, prompt correction.
The right of the citizen to exercise a
voice in the government over him,
which he Supports with his revenues, is
the dearest rights known to freemen.
Where the citizen under our organic
law is allowed to exercise this right,
aud il is denied him because of his po-
li;ical opinions merely, no greater
wrong and outrage could be inflicted
upon him. Taxation without repre-
sentation in days past, was declared 70
be Just cause of war, and it is now
argued as reason for the ratification of
the Fifteenth Amendment to the Fed
erai Constitution that the freedman can
only protect himself in person and
property by the right to vote in cleo
tions.
1t has been charged that Governor
Boreman, whilst acting Governor OF
this State, did, for the purpose of pro-
noting his own political aspirations,
appoint registrars tdrOrable to bis cleo
tion to the United States Senate; and
that by the proscriptive and nanipula-
ting processes which he was enabled to
exercise and control by his appointing
power, did actually succeed to that high
h., n N
not consistently, with all the surround.
ings and lights before us, give it sue
cessful contradiction, ought not the
Legislature, for the honor of the State
and the purity of elections, to take the
power of appointing the boards of reg
| istratiOn into its own bandsi Senator
Willey's successor will have to be elect
ed by the Legislature chosen at our next
an uual election, and to avoid repetition
or improper motives on the part of our
present Governor in the appointment OF
the registrars, it il suggested that the
Legislature elect the registrars by joint BAL
lot. Provision cosid be made to fill
vacaucies by the remaining members of
each couaty board. This would secure
good men in every county who would
faithfully and honestly perform the du-
ties required Of them unbiased by party
and uni&fVenced hy executive appoint
ment.
Ii seems to us, when censure has be-
come 90 severe and complaint so uni
vcl>al Of the partisan appointments Of
these boards Of registration aud that
too for political gan, the Governor
should no longer desire their appoint
meut.
It is now confidently asserted that
more than five Thousand legal voters in
this State are stricken from the lists of
voters for no cause, save and except
that of being opposed to the preseL
Radical policy; and now since the late
liberal movement in this State is taking
such deep root and gathering strength
i'm all directions, il is not unlikely Gun
less the Legislature takes the matter in
haud) that the registration axe will, be-
fore the next election, bU used more say
agely than ever before.
The friends of reform aud the true
friends of the prosperity of the State
and the parity of elections, will look
TO tae action of the Legislature in this
matter, with deep interest.
Surely the time has now come when
these gross outrages upon the rights of
the citizen should be put astop TO. We
can never hope for the peace and con-
co!d and good will, of one citizen toward
! another, SO long as this state of things
tcontinues; nor can one expect to see our
youug State become prosperous and
wealthy with fnll one-third of her adult
male population struck dozen by irrespon-
sibIe Boards of Registration, -
To correct this evil, let the Legisla-
ture at its next session rise above party,
and so guard the right Of the saffragan,
that every one who is entitled to vote
uudcr the Constitution, shall exercise
that privilege. Thi. much erery honest
zlaan iB tks State erpeots, and there is no
reason why it should not be done. To
enable us to pay our equitable portion
of the State debt, which now over
shadows our our young State like the
branches of the upas Oh the growing
vegetation, the Legislature should not
hesitate moment in securing to all
her citizens equal and exact Justice
The arms of the tax payers must be
strengthened. or else we are over.
whelmed in debt and have thrust upon
us depletion of population, political
paralysis and State bankruptcy.
Pro BoNo PCBLICo
WESTON, Nov. !5, 1869.