The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-07-10

81 CE@---~~Dr~--- -EBl.,
GsyEaNoR STsvESsoS's. estimate OF q
Constitutional Convention in 1905 Is
mighty ipserestin' readin' about this
time. Things have riz9 about two
thousand ,per cent since STEVENSON was
a member of the Convention Of 1853;
His estimate of last winter includes
some allowance for the wear and tear
of Radical conscience, and the affection
with which, the, "loili'5 people cling e 2.
Office is appropriately measured BY the
difference between the estimated COST q
a convention now and that OF eight years
ago. cairo -doL .bs,7Grs z.- g.rs l-
THE CONsTITUriONAL C0NVEN.
Jd' bsh.osb sGTTION. T. 2Cr.l3a Loco 80
We have never assumed to speak
by authority as 10 what the Censti-
tutjonAl Convention will or will not do,
and, there iis no human being in the
State who can 50 speak. But we sub.
NIT That; We have quite as much right
estimate the probable, action Of the Con
veution sasshas any other citizen OF the
Stase, and have quite as good reason for
sdpposins that that body will not pursue
a certain line II policy as have the
enemies Of fbe Convention TOR suppos7
ingythat it will led o.& .|aU.sD 81.
1t may be tsirly presumed that the
mem ers Of the Constitutional ConVen-
uoh will not all be natural born
fools" II is no violent presumption that
that body will comprise among its mem
bers the MIST intelligent, most able
ana most Influential men in the State
tits to be presumed that they will act
wisely' and honestly, and faithfully de-
vote themselves to the work of traminp
suchs Copstitution as will promote tn
welfare ofthe whole people. To a.:
sumo the contrary, as the opponeTts ..
the COVE nrion do, Is TO Insult the inter
ligence and "disls,rage the honesty o.
West Virgiuians. .... .. ..'..
But suppose the Convention should
BY any possibility, make such Con-
stilation as the Radicals assert that it
win, 4 tree vote o. the people will b.
had upon it and its rejection will be GER
tan Then, if we are 10 better off than
now we will at least be IN no worse
condition because the present Constitn-
ton would stard unal,ered. 1t viii,
however, be perfectly competent for the
Cdayentiop to submit to a separate vote
those portions Of the new Constitution
concerning which there is the most
room for difference Of opinion; and
there is quite as much reason for sup
posing that'thi uiH de done as there If
for the assertion that it will not That
being the case, odly such amendments
VIII 10 adcpi as meet the popular ap-
provsl. and We will have new Cons,iI
I s~nirefectiDg the will OF the Sta |,
such an organic law as the best Interests
OF the State demand. -..4 .. d. 49,.
Its urged here in the Panhandle and
elsewherein the Statethat the advocates
oftSsate aid to internal Improvements
viii Undoubtedly control the Convention,
and the prophetic foresight Of the Intel
ligsacsYI enabled it TO assert very
positively on last Saturday morning
that ali a Convention comes together
at al the success Of that scheme
is assured %sdT Now, for our life,
we'aeannot see the force Of this
assertion as an argument against the
CohxenGop. IF the advocates or that
particular scheme have such oyerwhelm-
ing1infiuenee in this State as to control
the Convention and secure the ratifiea-
tiops or such q constitution as they want,
the Qonventienl viii be held in spite Of
thee Panhandle and in defiance of all
the opposition that can be brought
against il. The argument gives to the
friends OF the internal improvement
scheme supreme, apd unlimited power
over the popular vote Of the State.
Th.yorhay calls a. Convention hsthey
wish. or they may secure, by means, Of
a Joint, resolution Of the Legislature
and ratification by the people, such an
amendment TO the Constitution as will
suit their, purpose. If the land
sharks, as the Intslligsncer styles them,
have such absolute control, what are
we gong to do about it and how can
the eopspmmation OF their plan be pre-
vented2y Voting against the Conven-
ton wont help the matter, because
it 10 assumed that these, men, have the.
whole game ,imtheir own hands, The
Radicals ask us to believe that the in
terhat improvement men will inevitably
compel the people to Iatity such 2 Con
stitssisn as they may desire9q The
being the acaseS the enemies gof Suts
aid IL Internal Improvement may as
we'll ialoss ,l their mouths and fold their
hands and waltz Bss,itiis not the eassd
If 1.-The u friends 1of tbis g particular
scheme nha~e not the power Of them
:lyss. H. ca1l The Convention tie Trey
.,6Sfaot Ibalsspfaient ipaasnce to con !