The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1870-12-07
IMMEDIATE Ey7R9scuIsrMKsr.

IMMEDIATE gS7RkNcHIsrABST.
It is, we believe, universally conceded.
since the election, that all tho citizens Of
eur State, who have oeen DISTINGUISHED,
either by tho so-called Constitutional
Amendment Of 1866, or by the action Of
renal and corrup. Registrars, shall have
restored to them that right which under
lies all others-the right Of franchise.
As to the best means Of accomplishing
this end, opinions differ :; and many plans
have been suggested, the most important
Of which we summarize below:
First, To so amend the Registration
Law that no person shall he deprived Of
his right to vote until record evidence Of
bis conviction before court of compete Mt
jurisdiction Of some offence specified in
the Constitution shall be produced.
SECOND, To declare the Amendment
Of 1866 void by Legislative enactment.
THIRD, Te adopt the Flick" Amend
mert, and
FOURTH, To Call Convention to amend
the State Constitution.
In regard to tie first proposition, We
think the Legislature would be rcmiss in
its duty if it was not at once adopted for
those Of our people who were, uotwi;h
standing the nefarious action of Boards
of Registration, permitted to vote, have
pronounced emphatically against the ar
bi.rary abuses which have been perpc-
trated by the willing tools of corrupt
Executive, under the shadow os the pro-
scriptivc sections Of the Registration
Law, and the people, at least those who
were permitted to express their senti-
ments, have, by their ballots, declared
that these heinous features shall no
longer disgrace our statue books, Il is
important for another reason While it is
probable, nay, certain, thst Governor
Jacob will remove the corrupt Boards of
Registration, appointed for the express
purpose Of DISTINGUISHING our citizens, and
who have so faithfully performed their
Infamous work, and appoint Boards COM
posed of gentlemen Of intelligence, char
actsr and responsibility, there could not,
with any propricty, be an election held
until the qualified voters of the State are
properly registered; and we believe that
no one. who values our instit utions, would
consent to any unnecessary delay in the
repeal Of these arbitrary provision. I'm
der the provisions of our Constitution and
laws in relation to crimes and pnnishments,
no one can be tried for the DOS. trivial Of
fence, until complaint, charging q GER
tain specific offence, and sworn to by some
credible person, has been filed with tie
Justice, and then he is entitled 10 be con-
fronted with the witnesses against him,
and the offence must be proven, beyond
any reasonable doubt, ere he can be dned
So much as enc small farthing; and if the
liberties, the person and the property ofouE
citizens are thus protected by our Bill oil
Rights, in ordinary cases, there can GER
taiuly be no good reason adducad Why,i7
relation to that greatest Of all rights. the
right Of franchise, be should not have the
fullest and most complete protection.
The evidence of mans guilt is the record
Of bis conviction for an offence, for the law
presumes every man innocent until the
contrary appears, and surely, in So i'm
portant and vital matter as the one in
question-where mans right to parsici
pate in the affairs of the Government he ia
forced to support, is in question, the priv
ileges Of the citizen cannot be too strongly
guarded and the evidence Of his disqual.
i6,ations should be ofundisputed and in.
disputable character. But farther than
this: Laying aside, for the present, all
questions rs to the validity Of the pretend
nd amendment of 1866. the Constitution
of our State provides that "the powers Of
government residein all the citizens. ofthc
State, and can only be exercised in accor-
dance with their just will and appoint
mCnt, and that every citizen shall BE-
entitled to equal representation in tie
Government" and the 18th article of the
Constitution Of the United States declares
HAT "all persons born or naturalizcd in
'hr United States aud subject to the iuris.
Gtsnoa llel.5f, rlc eiti-Gus yfllLs unltcd