The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-07-12
HOW TO DO II.

The MtsWgcncer does not fully an
swer our argument in relation to the as
sumed influence of the internal improve
ment men. 1t asserts that these men
although a minority, might and doubt
less would, by skillful combinations or
direct purchase, control the action OF
the Convention, and that IF the Con
stitution were framed as skiIliUiiy IN
behalf of clique interests as we pre-
sumo it would he, the same Kind Of
combinations that secured its passage
by the Convention would furnish power
full assistance in It's ratification.
Now what is TO hinder these men
from obtaining by joint resolution such
an amendment of the Constitution
as may suit their purpose, ii we grant
them so formidable numbers, 20 great
skill and such persuasive influence as
the MtelEgenccr assumes they possess ?
1t will probably be easier to control an
average Legislature than the Constltu-
tional Convention, because it is gener-
ally considered that the standard Of
qualifications for the latter body is or
should be something higher than that
for the former. The importance
OF the latter body is greater
than that of the former, and hence
many of the best and ablest men ofthe
State whose private engagements forbid
their CO nsenting to be members Ola Leg
islatnre whose acts may easily be repeal.
ed, will feel bound to serve as members
of the Const itutional Convention. II so
desired by the voters of their county.
To control men of this class and obtain
their consent to a scheme for private adj
vantage 20 the detriment Of the public
interests of the State, will certainly re.
auire very persuasive influences indeed.
But if this can be done by these dread
full giants, the internal improvement
men, the hobgoblings OF Radical fancy,
how much easier will it be for these
same Mephistophelian gentlemen to
control the Legislature Of the State?
At their bidding the servile LcgsIa-
ture may, next winter, pass JOINT res
olution embodying such an amendment
ofthe Constitution as they desire. By
another wave Of their all potent wand,
the next Legislature will be compelled
to follow in the footsteps OF lis Illus
trious predecessor and submit the
amendment to the people, and then
(slightly changing our neighbors Ian
guare), 1.-The same kind OF combinations
that procured its passage in the Legs
latue would furnish powerful assistance
in its ratification"
Now we submit that this course Is
not more difficult than the other; nay,
it will be easier for the advocates OF the
internal improvement scheme TO secure
in this way such an amendment as thew
desire than it will be for them being in
a minority to control The Constitutional
Convention and afterwards TO compel the
ratification of the Constitution that
Convention so controlled would make
If they have power to do his' they have
power to do that, and the defeat of the
call of the Convention will neither pre-
vent nor delay the contamination OF
their scheme.
We have no idea that the advocates
of any plan for merely local benefit
and whose success will infict cor
responding injury upon other sections
of the State, will be able to control the
deliberations OF the Convention, much
less meet the appreciation of the people.
We want Convention 10 make those
changes in the Constitution which all
admit should be made, and can con-
cieye of no others that Convention
will make that could not just as easily
be adopted by joint resolution of the
Legislature, and hence there is no dan
ger to be escaped by opposing the call
of a Convention.