The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-09-21
nrIEGATEs TO THE CONvEN-
TUnN.

vention with reluctance, some fearing
that facilities would be granted for in
creasing the public Indebtedness, some
because of apprehension on the subject
of public schools, others, with their
numerous friends, because they were
lately elected to fill the offices OF the
counties Of the State, others because Of
personal hostility to prominent movers
of the proposition for the Convention,
and others for other reasons. But the
Convention is ordered. 1t must meet,
and it will form a Constitution. The
vote for the members ofthat Convention
will be full vote. The judiciary must
be recognized in head and members,
for it is insufficient in the num-
Der of the judges Of the Court OF
Appeals, and the bench itself is not
composed Of the best representative
men OF the State as lawyers. The
Constitution makes no provision for
representing the interests and char
acter of the litigation Of the diff
ferent parts Of the State, which are
all different, on the bench. The present
Constitution has been perverted and
misused by the removal of judges for
no other than political purposes; it has
been made accessory to political pur-
poses by nominating and securing
the election Of judges on political
pledges; it has been altered by Re-
publican legislative enactment in
taking away from the people the
election OF judges and giving their
appointment to the Governor, So that
by legislative removal, death and 9th
erwise, there is scarcely judge On the
circuit bench who was elected by the
people. The Circuit Courts are filled
with appeal cases, which ought to be
disposed Of by an inferior and cheaper
tribunal the elective franchise was
perverted by legislative usurpation and
by judicial mis-interpretation; private
rights and personal franchises were
unlawfully wrested from the citizen by
the like measures, overriding the deci-
sion OF the Supreme Court Of the United
States; the taxation Of the people Tor
township and county purposes ought to
be reduced, and this especially in view
of the increase OF taxation which will
be necessary to pay our portion OF the
Virginia debt, and more especially in
view OF our wants and necessities as the
now independent and scll-sustainng
State OF West Virginia. Under the
circumstances it is fairly to be presumed
that the Convention to be called will
be in favor Of these and other necessary
| lnOulllCullOuS. w NliiIIi (ldl tIS
Democratic party, conservative in It's
feelings, and in full sympathy with the
people on all questions regarding the
Importance and sacredness of constitu
tons, is the proper party to be repre-,
scented in this county and district. They
will see that the provisions are brief,
comprehensive and Ineligible They
will see that they are SO ineligible that
the people will know whether the
judges are to be elected by them or
appointed by the Governor; whether
the elective franchise is secured by con-
stitutional provision or not, or that it
is thing Of party msneuyering, to be
used by legislative restrictions in viola
ton of the Constitution, and managed
by registration laws and officers, and
enforced by Courts Of Appeals, who
are to be removed il they do not
publicly exhibit themselves as
the tools Of party. They will
maintain the honor Of the State, by Sc.
curing the public debt They will Sc,
cure the future prosperity of the State
by providing for its public improve
ment, not by increasing the public debt
not by removing the limitations upon
the power to increase that debt, but by
securing longer time for its payment
and by decreasing the taxes and the
power OF Taxation in many Of the pres
ent onerous forms OF taxation. In this
way they can improve the State and
not increase its burthens. They will
maintain and increase the intelligence
of the people by cheaper and more
efficient school system. They will not
save at the spiggot and waste at the
buughole, as by counting the cost of a
Convention and maintaining an army
OF useless and hungry officials, in county
and township officers. They will see
that intelligence shall be respected.
that virtue shall have its reward, and
merit be promoted.
Will the Democratic party select and
elect men, to discharge these duties,
who will be in harmony with those who
have favored the call Of the Conven-
ton? Will they select men Of known
and tried integrity? or, will some Of its
members unite to form an amalqamation