Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1871-08-15
Middleway Awake I

The good old town was aroused aud delight,
ed on Saturday last, by addresses delivered by
MeSsrs. Moore, Trayers and IsbelI in favor Of
calling Convention Of the people of West
Virginia, on the 9th inst, for the purpose of
reU:OdeIiug the Constitution of their State.
The meeting was organized by calling Jno.
A. Thomson, Esq. to the Chair aud the an.
pOintment Of JnO. G. Shirley Secretary
Capt. j. +. Smith had been requested by the
voice of the meeting to fill the latter place,
but after expressing the pleasure it would give
him to do so; for severe iudispositiou, de,
clined.
The Chairman first introduced Mr. C1EoN
MOORE, of CharlestOwn, who spoke briefly,
but with great force. He assaiied the Ju-
di:iary as existing under the present Consti-
tuition, with such arguments as to convince
every hearer of its entire TOtLeRness Mr..
Moore also pressed upon our consideration the
enormous amount of unnecessary taxes with
which VIC are burdened, which he showed
would be greatly decreased by so changing
the Constitution as to wipe away the swarm Of
Othee holders preying upon US. Mr.. Moore
concluded with an earnest appeal to the PEG.
PIE to come out aud vote on the 9th.
Mr.. TRAVERs was next introduced. It
would be impossible in any abstract, to do
justice to the eloquent and effective speech of
Mr.. I. How any one could listen to his
mastery eTpOSe of the corrupt Judiciary of
West Virginia, aud not feel the vital impor-
lance OF a reform, we are at q loss to conceive
After Mr.. TTavers took his seat, Mr. ISBELL
was loudly called for the audience showing
their remembrance aud appreciation by not
even waiting for the usual introduction by tho
President. Mr.. l referred feelingly and clio,
quently to ''the days that have passed" when
no ne fran IN Cd L.
this town aud county on matters of political
interest, aud of the kindly feeling, which,
he was conscious, had ever existed between
himself aud them. The speaker then vent
on to give weighty reasons why every man
should vote for calling n Convention ON the
24th.
The Chairman, Mr.. THOMSON, was loudly
called for at the close of Mr. Isbell's speech.
Mr.. Thomson arose, he said, not to make
speech, but simply to give the weight of his
testimony to the truth of every word uttered
BY the gentlemen who had spoken, and to
exert whatever influence he possessed to in>
duce all to bestir themselves at this important
crisis. lie said he would call attention to one
fact only, aud that was the enormous increase
OF taxes under the present State government
Mr.. Thomson then instanccd some counties
where the taxes, prior to the war, amounted
to about IL of that under the present govern
ment, aud argued that tho proportional in
crease was as great in every county Of the
State.
We are confident. Mr.. Editor, that the eff
forts of these gentlemen have not been in
vain. We are sure that our people will awake
to the importance Of the measures so eloquent.
~ presented, aud will without fail give their
proportion, at least, of the number of voters
pledged by Mr.. Travers at Wheeling.
JNO. 4. THOMSON, President.
JNo. G. SHIRLEY, Secretary.