Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1871-08-08
Spirit Of ysfftrsnn.
oharlestOwu, West virg'a., August 8.
THE CONVENTION QUESTION.
E'ec'iOH Day, 4h Thursday, 24M 4ugu.s.
REASONS FOR A coNvENTIoN.


In an address to the Democrats and Con-
servative Voters Of the Sd Congressional Dis.
trict of West Virginia, the Committee pre-
sent the following reasons for thorough
change in the organic law of the State
We ask Constitutional Convention for the
abolition of the township system aud the es,
tHblishment OF cheaper government. Under
this system our own taxes have increased ten.
fold in ten yea s. ln the year 1860, the local
taxes Of kanawha county amounted to 81, ,7S9.
In 1870 they reached the startlngsum OF S57. :.
35j. Our experience is the experience of
every county in the State.
We ask a convention to reform the basis of
representation. Under the present system
none but whites are represented. Kanawha
county, with five hundred negro voters to en-.
counter, has not tie right to represent them
IA the Legislature. Had she such right her
representation in the House of Deieogtes
would be increased by one member. Other
counties of the District are Similarly situated.
If the negroes must vote is it right that we
should lose our power in the Legislature in
consequence?
We ask Convention to equalize taxation.
Uuder present Constitution none but whites
are required to pay capitatiOn tax. 1t is
proper that the provision Of the Code requir>
ing capitatiOn tax to be levied upon blacks,
which is null and old under the present Con.
stitutiOu, be given full force aud effect under
Constitution which shall recognize the right
OF the races to equality in the matter Of tax
alton.
We ask a Convention to make inal and eE
fectual provision against the enactment of
test Oaths" and registration laws. The re-
cent years of our history are black with pro-
scripticn. The dcDial Of civil aud political
rights for partisan reasons, has been held con-
StltuiiOnal by reason of the absence of pro-
hIbItOry clauses from the organic law. Surely,
there can be no time more fitting than the
present for providing against the recurrence
Of the evils which, in the recent past, test
oath legislation brought upon Us. With the
memory OF the iuiquities OF prescription fresh
IN our minds, let Us call convention and
through it prohibit them finally and forever.
\ correspondent Of the Charleston Comrier
also presents the following, among equally
other good causes, why Convention is dc.
manded by the best interests Of the Teople
throughout the State:
We want plain, substantial. economical
code of Jaws, adapted to our welfare aud to
the pressure Uf tie times. We are oppressed
under the present system almost beyond en-
durance with taxation, to keep up a horde Of
petty officers which are consuming our sub,
stance; with irresponsible officers. who de-
pend alone on the cmulumeuts o. Office for
support The result is our money is squan-
d"rcd without receiving benefits intended :;
deialcatiOn and bankruptcy is the result
among large portion Of the township officers
We want this present complicated system Of
law swept from the present statues, aud one
less expensive iuauguratcd in its stead.