Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1871-08-01

PIeSctlDeSs
ResOLOed, TX The power given BY the
Constitution TO majority of the Legislature
to remove the Judges from Office is repugucut
to every sound principle Of Governmeut.-
Every Judge in this State now holds his Of
fee At the will and caprice of the Legislature
From the pArtizan or improper exercise of this
power, there is no appeal or redress. Popular
elections and short terms sufficiently impair
the Independence OF the Judiciary this pTo,
vision utterly destroys it. It may be doubtful
ifany instance can be found under the present
Constitution where Circuit Court Judge has
declared any act of the Legislature uncons,i.
tutioDal and we believe il has been done but
in a single case by the Supreme Court of Ap.
peals. and tha; one where no interest or feeling
could be excited by the decision.
Res0IVed, y. We believe the principle of
Minority Representation one of the most
practical and valuable discoveries which in
modern times has been made in the Science
Of Popular Government; eminently calculated
to alIay the 0speTities of Party; to remove
temptations to fraud, violence and corruption:
TO secure n fair representation Of every inter
est in the State, and to give permanency and
vitality to our Republican institutions. It
has been adopted, to some extent, with success
IN England aud in some OF the States of this
Union, and We should be pleased to see IL in
corporated into the Constitution of Wes.
Virginia.
ResOIred. XT. We are MnuL,eraJLv oppos.
ed to any change OF modification of that ar,i-
Gle OF our existing Constitution which forLids
the Legislature to contract PUBLIC DEBT
for purposes of Internal Improvement, or TO
gurantee the liabilities of counties, cities and
corporations. We believe that the history of
the country has incOntostably shown for the
hall H.. :,
cannot safely be lodged in any State Legisla>
ture. Fortunately the exercise of sucn a
power is at this time, as unnecessary as i.
would be traught with evil; for such is the
accumulation Of surplus capital now in this
country, that if any scheme Of internal im-
prOVement worthy of State enterprise can be
presented exhibiting fair and profitable results
It can without difficulty DO accom- pished by
means OF private capital as, indeed. every
important road already made, and now max
ing in this State, is being done through pri-
vate capital.
ReSo'cei, Mi. We arc opposed to apy
material modification or change of the 10Th
article Of the present Constitution PROVIDING
for system of FREE SCHOOLS. We be-
IIeVe that provision OF our Constitution to be
rmInently wise, just aud beneficial and if
there have been errors or annoyances in car
been the result ot imperfect legislation which
may DO remsdied by the action Of the same
department..
ReSolccd, Kill Occupying the highly
favorable position which West Virsinia does
between the great valleys Of the Ohio and
Mississippi, and the sea board. we NAV
naturally expect i'll addition to those great
works already finished and in progress, to see
our State penetrated by numerous Railroad
lines, the owners Of which, will feel themselves
sufficiently indebted to US for the mere ri,b,
to pass through our territory. These Rail
Noad Companies, with their gigantic capitaI
and army OF employees, are already exercising
apercePIuOie Influence upon the legislation
aud political sentiments of this State. 1t is
cNPed'ent that the Convention shall by gem
eEai provisions OF decisive character, protect
the interests Of this State against the cnpiditv
and extortIon OF these associations; aud also
adopt ethcIent measures to deter our Public
agents from yielding to the Establishments
aud seeming harmless briberies which are be.
gInIng to form part of a regular system by
these Corporations, to influence the actions Of
our public agents in every department Of the
government.
ResOtved, XIV. There are many other
changes in the Constitution which we think
might be benefcially made, some that would
tend to elevate the character and influence oF
the Judiciary; others to give greater eficicn.
cy to the Executive department, bu, we shall
leave these provisions without further COM
ment to the wisdom of the convention, beleay.
ing that every suggestion will there undergo
thorough aud careful examination, aud tia,
every improvement in the science OF govern
mcnt which time and experience have made
manifest, will be incorporated into the nev
Constitution.
C.,,. o. T,