The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1870-02-07
INA TIGHT PLACE.

the Legislature intend to make ANOTHER
effort 10 defeat the WELLS bill for the
amendment Of the rcgistryalaw. When
theblll was passed TO ngrpsncnt Friday
evening" their leader, Mr.. Lamb, voted
Eories0tKas iigmight Bc IN a position TO
moYS iesonadeta iian,, In. tbe lioPe tlB4lsE
BY today the Republican plIalanx might
in some way be broken. This he did and
had the motion tabled II Is. expected
this motion will be called up today anl
tS1lspesate attempt made to recOnsideE
sIlet our'feadcrs consiHrr for n moment
the singular attitude now occupied by
the Democratic managers. They know,
and have known from the beginning, that
no bill. destroying or seriously Gripping
the registry law wonld be passed by the
Senate even if pissed by the House.
Their bill designed % accomplish this y " as
been voted out Of the House and is not
now before II ut all. The simple question
with them now is, Mr.. WELLS bill or
nothing. And when We consider that 1t
comedies everything essential in reforms
ton, Of tho registry law for which they
have been, ClanOrous, it seems surprising
to find them SO desperately intent on its
defeat. These gentlemen have now be-
fore them substantial reform Of the reg,
istry law, which the Republicans are pre-
pared to concedc, providing for the cleo
ton of the Boards Of Registration BY the
people and minority represention on tic
boards prior to the first election. And
the practical question Is, whether they
will have this or nothing, They prefer
nothing, and whyt l.IldJaHTtH g..-
Tho prime object sought by them Is the
repeal Of the registry law entire. It did.
not need Mr.. DAVIS ayowal of this to-
make the fact known, for II was the bur.
den Of the Democratic press and stump
speeches during last Falls campaign. The
Register and Ohio Co. Democratic platform
demanded immediate and unconditional
repeal and nothing less Well, immediate
and unconditional repeal Inns been found
impossible. Il las also hecn found I'M
possible to pass any measure that would
so obstuct the rcgistrylaw as TO effect the
same emil And, rs We have said, the De-
moCracy find themselves obliged TO ChOose
between u fair correction Of the law
whereunder the constitutional disable.
mcnt will be impartially enforced, aud the
continuance Of the law in its present
shape. Their course towards Mr.. WELLS
bill shows they prefer the law in It's pres
cnt shape. The reason Is obvious, With
ihc law in its present shape they Gun go
before the people and make good deal Of
capital. With the law corrected rs the
WELLS bill proposes they could make
none. II they cannot have no law, they
want tho law to be us OdiOus us possible;
and, therefore, they must have repeal or
nothing, and not being able to get repeal,
either actual or substantial, want nothing.
They understand TINT Alr. WELLS bill is
the strongest card tho Republicans could
play;;and that Is why they fight withSuch
dOggcdncss for It's defeat These gentle
men would do well to consider that all
their party are not aflcr office or intent on
mere party success; and tint If they defeat
this and get nothing, they will bc held
To account for refusing 70 accept the
just and liberal reform proposed by the
Republicans.
The course of the Democratic managers
thus far touching liberal measures willnOt
commend them to the people. With all
their professions If seeking no partisan
advantage and of claiming these measures
as a matter Of principle, they show but too
plainly that when it comes to the test they
do not want them at all at the hands Of the
Republicans. They will not allow liberal
measures to be inaugGratcd unless they
can do 1t themselves. When the Republi.
cans brought forward the proposition To-
amend the Constitution so us to remove at
the earliest day practicable III political
limitations on suffrage, their organ met 1t
with snecrs and attempted ridiculc of the
gentleman who offered it. Is this the way
these pure minded and patriotic Dcmocra:
tic managers make good thrir professions
during the past four or five years!
The truth is, MS wo arc bound TO belieye,
these gentlemen, If their LseCret purpnSe
could be laid barc, do not want any mca.
sure orliberality or reform whatever passed
by the Republicans this winter AiplGs4 80
were the repeal Or emasenIatidn Of the
registry law-and that they know cannot
be had. They understand the respective
positions OF the two parties well enough
to know that they have nothing to-
fight the next campaign OH except com.
plants against tletigof aud stringency Of
existing laws. Their capital in the mig;
ger" has been sunk, and they really have
nothing else lofl to stand on They realize
that If the Republicans in the Legislature
remoycAlEgenuiuG cause of complaint Is
TO existing restrictions and go as fur to-
wards their final removal IS q practicable
even thetf howl about the registry and
Acknowledgement, will serve them no
longer, and they will have nothing left to
complain Of, nothing left tn'fight for or
to fight with. They have been tlattCrlng
themselves that the Senate could he dc.