Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1871-08-19

ES- The following letter, addressed
by prominent democrat residing in the
Western part of the State, to a fellow
democrat here, has been handed us tor
publication -
August lst, 1871.
DEAR SR-Yours Of -- reached me
few days since, but being absent from
home | was unable to reply until to-day.
You ark what we really intend TO do If
we succeed in calling Convention. l
reply that we have several objects in
view, all of which we expect 10 carry,
but if Convention is called, among
them | can only state the following, as
being the most important
In the first place, the mode of voting
now prescribed by the present Constitu-
ton, namely, by ballot, must be abol-
ished, and that of uiCa roce voting In
stituted in its place, for if this be estab-
lished as in former years, we carnot on
ly know how certain parties vote, but we
can bring such pressure to bear upon
the more dependent classes, as will com
pell them to vote as we desire, regardless
of their own sentiments, and by this
means we can WELD much more intlu-
ence than 10y the present system.
Again in my opinion there are too
many people voting, and 4 property
qualification should be required Of every
one before he exercise the rights OF fran
chise; how much real estate man must
possess before exercising this privilege,
of course will be determined by the
Convention think the property quail
ifcation will not be greater than before
the war. By this means not only the
greater portion of the negro population
will be deprived Of voting, but also
many of the lower classes of whites who
have little or no interest i'll government
tai affairs.
In the third place our present Consti-
tuition strictly prohibits the contracting
of State debt, which should be with
out delay abolished, as no internal III
provements can be carried on without
State aid, and by permitting the State
to create debt, we can construct rail
roads through that portion ofthe State,
that is undeveloped, and thus make now
almost worthless real estate, both mar
ketable and valuable, which at the same
time will be of great pecuniary advan-
tape to certain individuals now holding
such lands.
You say in your letter that many OPP
pose the Convention on the ground Of
taxation, and ask what will be the prob
able cost of holding a Convention. |
think it will not exceed one hundred
and fifty thousand dollars, which | con
slider small price for the reforms nam
ed above, your County can certainly at
ford and cheerfully contribute her
share (Which will not exceed twenty
thousand dollars) towards this great
movement. These reforms can not be
accomplished without taxation, and we
cannot Disguise the fact that the taxes
for wear or two must necessarily be
increased to considerable degree, but
all in my opinion will be amply repaid
inevery respect by the many advantages
of the proposed new constitution over
the old one. When these reforms are
established, and the County Court sys-
tenn supercedes the Boards of Supervi-
sors, think the fundamental law of our
State will be as near perfect as any one
may desire at all events far superior to
the Constitution now in force. Wish
ing you success in your county at the
coming submission of this great ques-
tion,and hoping to hear from you again,
! am most respectfully.
SAD CASE or ACCIDENTAL SHOOTING.
The Loudoun (Va) Mirror states that
on Sunday afternoon last, Miss Caroline
Clarkson, daughter of Mr.. Thomas Clark
son, residing about three miles from
Leesburg, was accidentally shot and
killed by her sister Mary. The evil
dence before the coroner shows that the
two young ladies were starting to Sun
day school, and that, as during their
absence there would have been nobody
Al L.