The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1870-01-29
The Repatriation Law.


ent registration law, came up on its
sc cond reading in the House yesterday.
Mr.. HAssLER developed the programme
of the "bitter.euders' caucus hy NOV
ing to table the bill. Although several
who are understood to favor
he bill, supported the motion at tho
solicitation of members who claimed
time for further consideration, it
was defeated, by two majority. 1t
being very evident that the friends OF
the bill could pass il to third reading
if they 80 desired, Messrs. STURGIss and
HAssLER, in evident embarrassment,
asked for further time. Both clearly
labored under the impression that the
supporters of the measure were dis
posed to rush matters rather hastily
Their anxiety was relieved, however,
by Messrs. LAMB and JACKSON, who
made the point that the more the bill
was examined, the stronger 1t would
become. The wishes of the gentlemen
from Monongalia and Jackson were
complied with, and further ,considera'
tion of the subject postponed until
Wednesday at IL o'clock.
In the meantime ample opportunity
will be afforded to all to look into the
leading features of tho bill and ascer-
tanning how far it provides for correct
ing the errors of the present registra'
tion system. We learn an attempt will
be made by the extremists to caucus
the liberals into opposing the bill. The
idea that measures Of legislation such
as this, should be determined by a
party caucus is at once novel aud often.
sive. The man who enters a caucus
and binds himself to abide its action
on a particular measure, virtually sur
renders that for his freedom of thought
and independence of action. Tho case
becomes stronger if he!has pledged him
self to his constituents to. pursue Ger
tain course, aud his surrender to the
caucus compels him to pursue directly
opposite course.
There are in the House of Delegates
about twenty-one anti-"let mp" Repub-
licans and thirteen,libersls. The latter
were elected on pledges Of repeal or
modification of all our disabling meas.
ures, and in almost every instance they
defeated prescription candidates. All
OF the tweRty-one who now invite them
10 caucus opposed their policy in the
last canvas and voted against them
when opportunity offered. Now they
ask the liberals to yield to them control
of the very questions that separated
them last Fall. aud thus to disregard
their faith and pledges. That is exact
IL what q caucus means.
But, ID is said, rather than divide the
party, the whole subject should be re
ferred to the next Republican State
Convention. That is, the liberals were
sent here by their constituents to enact
certain measures, but they ought not
to do so until they obtain the consent
Of an assemblage of local politicians. II
is nothing short of an affront to ask an
honest man to 60 before partisan Con,
ventioa and bumbly beg leave to fulfill
his public pledges. When the question
ofrstifyiug the Fifteenth Amendment
was before the Legislature, a question
upon which there was far more divis.
ion in the Republican party than
upon that of enfranchising the
white man, who talked then oi
referring the matter to State Conven-
tionf These same gentlemen that now
want postponement were not only will.
ing, but they were clsmorous, for i'm.
mediate action. Now that the wrongs
confessedly inflicted upon many citizens
of the State come up for redress, there
is desire to delay, and palter, and avoid
responsibilities on the part Of the same
gentlemen who could not act too speed
lily to place the ballot in the hands o.
the negro.
We do not believe their wishes viii
be grati6ed. We have confidence tina,
the libersls of the Legislature have suf
fcient manhood TO stand by their con
victions and pledges, under whatevel
influence the "bitter-endersn may bring
TO besra Sl@G 4