The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1870-08-19
what Does Ii Mean 2"


Editors OF the Register :'E -s2 IS $50
The Stale Journal, published at Par
kersburg, on the1 lth inst, in referring
to the appointment Of various United
States Commissioners by the Circuit
Court of the United States held at Par,
kersburg, prominently propounds the
question, What does it meant II
means business--emp hatieally 1t means
business, in securing to the legal voters
OF the State a fair, impartial and just
registration; oil voters-nothing more,
nothing less. No intimidation of reg
istrars or Boards of Registration is in.
tended unless the fact that those who
may act corruptly and partially in
wrongfully Withholding registration of
those entitled TO it are to be held ac-
countable before a just and enlightened
tribunal, the Court of the United States,
intimidates and frightens these func-
tionaries. Heretofore they have been
exempt from liability and the injured
and deirauded voter has had no redress.
Now, that the act Of Congress gives a
remedy, the people have determined
that the fraudulent practices, in with
holding registration and striking from
the books, registered voters, without a
shadow of cause, mrst cto,t, a"l 'h".
foul stain cast upon the character %
the Safe must be wiped out if peaceable
and lawful means can do it.
The J0,G7ol must know before the
canvass is over, that good men of all
parties have become sick and nauseated
at the acts OF oppression 10y these Off
cials, and that there is general ground
swell going on all over the State, that,
unless needed, will engulf them in ruin
The law made it the duty Of the
courts throughout the United States, 10
appoint the necessarysnumber Of COM
to enforce the act of Congress
requiring fair registration Of voters,
and the Journal knows full well that the
judge presiding when the appointments
alluded to were made, was Influenced
hy no other motive than an honest dis
charge of public duty, and why allusion
was made to him in that paper, | am at
a loss to conceive, for it is well known
to all that he discharges his duty firmly
and independently on all occasions.
The Journal may attempt to disparage
the appointees, but his assaults, where
they are known, are no more than
sounding brass and tinkling cymbals."
Many OF them were soldiers in the
Union army, and all of them have rep
utations that the Journal might well
envy. understand they were recon-
mostly by citizens of high
character and loyalty.
The assault upon DR.. Berkabile was
not only gratuitous but accompanied
with false statement in reference TO
registrar Henry Boggess. The truth is,
instead of binding him over for trial
before the Federal Court, that he gave
him a fair and impartial trial and dis
charged him. This is not the only false
statement we may expect to hear re-
Specting the arrest of registrars. They
have heretofore practiced such high |
handed oppression with IMMUNITY that
they and their friends are 10th TO lie.
Iieve that they are to account for their
evil doings. 1t is gratifying to hear
from different parts of the State that
steps are being taken to punish the fraud
ulent and corrupt registrars, and that the
of Commissioners are
marked with dignity, impartiality and
Justice. The honest and just registrar
has nothing to fear, but the wicked and
corrupt must be punished and the Gov
crnor and his corrupt registrars may not
lay the hattcring JUNCTION 10 their
souls that these proceedings are only
for effect before the election
They no doubt have been commenced
in good faith and q firm determination
10 prosecute them in earnest. As the
good work has been commenced, it is to
be hoped that it will he prosecuted
with energy throughout the State, but
only real offenders should be looked to,
and it should be done calmly and impair
tally. The path before us is plain
one. The weak and puerile opinion OF
the Attorney General Of the State, that
a registrar can only be arrested for fail
Ing to register negro on account of
race or color, or Judge of election
punished for rejecting the vote Of a ne
gro who had been refused registration
on account Of race or color, will
he found 10 be a weak and
broken reed 10 u the corrupt
registrar who is called to account for
his wrongful acts before any enlightened
tribunal. Every good man, without re-
gard to the party to which he belongs,
should lend his aid TO secure full and
free exercise Of the right of suffrage,
and to see that every man entitled to a
vote should be registered. Present him
To the registrar or the Board of Regis
tration, as the case may be, and II he is
wrongfully rejected, see that an affidavit
is made OF the fact and the proper ar
rests made, and that the voter with his
affidavit demands the right TO vote, and
If rejected that the judges Of election
be arrested and turned over for trial.
We all must feel and know that this
corrupt manipulating the right Of suf-
frage must work disastrously to the
State. Let us, therefore, unitedly exert
ourselves to work ont a change. Il
Us. 3 ~ 8. 2 z~5 justice.