The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-08-02

For instance, section 7 of Article II
authorizes the holding Of slaves in this
State, yet the Federal Constitution a.
amended, prohibits involuntary servi.
tude in any of the States. Section 9
Article 4, requires apportionment for
representative purposes to be made On
the white basis only, notwithsthadi no
negroes now vote and may hold Office
Section 2 Of Article s, requires capi.
tation tax upon white male inhabitants
only, although the negroes assist in
making the laws and expending the
money raised BY taxation.
From the present Constitution the
boundaries OF the State cannot be Is.
certained, nor can the number OF couu.
ties or the names thereof, nor the mum.
Der of Senator's or Delegates in the
Legislature.
Notwithstanding it is the apparent
intention OF the Constitution that all
Circuit Judges shall be elected by the
people, neither OF the Judges in this
end of the State were so elected. and |
believe the same to be the case in you,
District and several others in the State
From an official report Of the late
State Superintendent Of Public Schools,
I learn that the number Of township
officers in the State, apparently made
necessary under section one Of article
seven OF the Constitution, is S,156.
Add 10 this astounding number Of petty
officers, the State, Legislative and
county officers, with all OF their depu.
ties and assistants. and you have proba.
bly, fully 10000 officers to govern the
people and consume their substance.
In view OF this, and the fact that the
entire expenses charyesble to elections
and Convention should not exceed $3I,.
500, land it is believed by many well
posted men that they will not be more
than two-thirds Of that amount, or
S25, 000), this is about forty cents to
each voter, or less than ten cents TO
each inhabitant, or thirty cents to each
81 900 worth OF property, it may be
serious question not whether the people
OF the State can afford to call Con.
vention, but rather phethcr they can afford
not 10 call one, for the purpose OF dis
pensing with large proportion Of the
immense swarm OF officers.
What seems to be serious defect in
the present Constitution. is the vast
amount Of special and private Legisla.
ton that is possible under It. Out OF
about five hundred $500 bills introdu
ced into the two branches OF any given
Legislature, il is fair to estimate that
four hundred 400 Of them will NOT be
Of a general nature. With special
Legislation made as nearly impossible
as may be, sessions Of the Legislature
need not be held oftener than once in
two wears, thus making saving 10 the
tax. payers in this way alone, ofas much
money each alternate year, As this Con
vention will cost.
One entire judicial system needs
careful revision.
The right Of taxation should be cart.
fully guarded and limited; and the &C.
countability Of officers increased
Neither officers not their sccurite.
should be relieved by the Legislature.
In Presidential election years. the
expenses OF an election might be saved
by holding State and county elections
at the same time, instead Of in October
as now.
The term ofall State officers and the
sessions OF the Legislature, should com.
mence simultaneously about the first
Of January, instead OF commencing at
different times extending over space
OF nearly three months.
have taken time to merely hint alta
few of the defects OF the present Constl.
tuition and to suggest few reforms that
are demanded. Others will occur 10
every intelligent citizen.
] will merely observe in conclusion
that the party and persons who oppose
a Convention Of the sovereign people OF
this State TO consult about matters Of
the deepest concern TO them are the
same who use every effort 10 rob the
State and the people thereof OF Their
Justly reserved rights.
All should keep this one great fac,
in mind The work OF this Convention
will have to be passed upon by the
people. II the new Constitution shall be-
deemed by them an improvement upon
the present one, they will adopt il; II
not, they will reject it in part or in
whole, as to them shall seem best.
Those who oppose this measure OF re-
form announce by this opposition their
lack Of confidence in the people to de-
termine the character Of their own or.
ganic law.
Yours, with great respect,
II