The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-06-12
THE CONSTITUTIONAL
CONVENTION.
An Address to the People,
To the Voters Of the state OF West
Virginia.

proVreiy Of calling Convention Of the pco-
pie 10 form rev Constitution is to he sub
mit,ed 10 the voters Of the Stale on the 4th
I thursday IN August next
without intending 10 indicate W hat action
should be tskeu by tho people npou the sub
ject, the State Executive Committee Of the
bepocratic and Conservative party, after
mntcre consideration, have deemed il proper
10 issue an address calling attention 10 the
question and urging harmony and concert Of
artion, and noticing few OF the many i'm
poriAnt reasons why We Us party should
give our united support in sustaining the call
a well rs urging full attendance III the
polls on the day OF election
We are aware that the subject should as far
as possible be dirested of party feeling, and
that there should bea free and unbiased et-
preston OF opinion by the people. But the
Republican party of the State, both By the
aetion of It's representatives in the LeCisla-
turs and in its public prints, have made II
party issue, and we therefore shall feel no
hs3itancy in invoking the Democratic and
Conservative part! 10 give it cordial sup
port.
The party for The first time in the history
Of our State, finds itself charged with tho sd-
mniStration ofits affairs. The almost upex-
pected and unparalleled victory achieved by
US at the October election last past. has given
~ control Of all the branches OF the State
government save one. This success bcto k
cned the fact that the people were tired of the
gross mlsFnle and outrageous conduct of the
party then IN power, and that it was their
intention 10 have change of rulers, and see
hhr such change the burihens Of govcrnmeu,
could no, be greatly lessened. The Rcpubli-
can party Of the State had become corrupt.
snd were using the whole machinery of The
State government Tor the purpose OF sustain-
ing their waning fortunes and endeavoring
10 stay the indignation ofan outraged people.
The history oftliefr administration Of the gov
srnment is Que continued story Of proscrip-
ton, injustice and wrong. They had taxed
the people without stint, and vet the great
sums Of money psid by them had, 10 a great
extent, been either miss ppropriated or had
lined the pockets of the swarrns of Office
holders who have, harassed our people and
cat out their substance.
Under these circumstances. the Democratic
and Conservative party have partially come
into power, in the State, ard 10 i. the people
now look for deliverance. The responsibili-
~ resting upon US is great, and we therefore
owe it to ourselves as well as 10 the whole
people, TO see TO il that We be not found want
ing in this our first administration Of its az
fairs.
is well known that our present Constitu-
ton was formed amid the conflict Of arms,
and throes OF revolution, and while portions
-four State were in the possession of each of
the contendipg parties. Those who framed
1t were few in number, representing but a
small portion OF our territory; some elected
by small constituency, while Others had no
constituency at all. It was formed 10 meet
what was then supposed 10 be a pressing
emergency. Anexpsrience sfeight years has
demonstrated tile fact tina, portions of cur
Constitution are unsuited to the wants OF our
people-the spareity of our population and
the character Of our territory. Our present
system of government is costly, unwieldy in
Its execution, and one which eau be greatly
smplifed, and with q saving oflargesums of
money annually, 10 the people. 4 Constit-
utiou should be framed for the bena fit of The
people By the whole people Such wa, not
the case will the Constitution usw in exisi.
ence in this State.
We have but recently enfrarchi.cd large
class Of our people who have hitherto been
denied all voice iu the government Of the
State. They have been made 10 bear all the
burthens OF government, without the priyil-
cse Of saying whether the laws that imposed
them were right or wrong, and without any
power 10 change them wrong, for the better.
Our present Constitution never was submit
ted 10 the whole people. The dominant party
would not permit its merits 10 be canyassed
its defects 10 be pointed ont, and fair
and impartial vote TO be had upon it. In
some instances no vote was allowed TO be cast
against Il, because the polls were in the pos
session Of the military, placed there for the
purpose Of putting down ell opposition TO il.
We then unhesitatingly declare that the first
and principal reason for holding Conven-
lion, is 10 form Conititution,1 which shall
be Submitted to the whole people, that all
NAY be permitted to pass juAg upon it,
and which when adopted, fiat all, shall re.
feet their expressed will.
Il cannot be denied that ours is one OF the
mosteostly systems Of government known 10
aay OF the States. We are almost State of
ofice-holders. Our county and township
systems Of government are onerous in the ex-
IRENE. By them vast sum, of money are
collected from the people annually, BY NAM
heriess nce-holders.a great portion Of which
can be saved by reduction Of thenumber. OF
offices. We affirm that the changing our
present cumbersome system OF county organ
izaton, is alone sufficient 10 warrant the call
ing OF a ConventiOn TO alter or amendit. 1t
Is expensive, intricate, and wa lily unsuited
TO ou' population. Ills beiieved,that enough
can be saved 10 the people Of the State in one
year, by change in this system alone, TO re-
iusurse the whole outlay and expense OF
holding State Convention. lfthis IS doubt
cd, LET any one compare his tax bill under the
present system, with what he paid under the
old organization, The opponents of a Com
yention, have puiposcly greatly exaggerated
the expense Of holding one, that thus they
may Brighten tho people TO vote against ii.
ny careful estimate Of its probable cost, by
the distinguished chairman Of the committee
OF Finance and Claims in the Senate Of Four
State, now United States Senator Davis, il is
sscer;ained that the whole cost would not
exceed S37, 500 co.. This estimate was lib
oral one. II Is the experience OF every one
at all familiar with our financial Affairs, that
This will entail but very slight temporary
additional tax on each person, all of which
will be Reimbursed 10 him at once by cheaper
system ofgsvernmsnt brought into being by
q Con ventiOn nsspmhIe1 far the nurnore aud