The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-03-20
From the Fairmont Liberalist.l
The Late Legislature and Its

The Late Legislature ana It's WORK.
We were prevented from making
any allusiop in our issue Of last week,
to the work done by our Legislature
which adjourned on the second inst.
We, hazard nothing in saying that not
since the organization Of the State has
any Legislature done so much work and
done its work so well. 1t is true, and is
frankly admitted, that its action upon
certain subjects and questions, and its
failure to act at all upon certain others,
have given ground for some little criti-
cism; though we rejoice to know that in
no quarter is there anything like posi-
tive dissatisfaction.
1t was easily forgotten last fall in the
enthusiasm which succeeded the over
throw of Radicalism, that the victory
was won only through the adoption Of
maay expedients, and that the members
elected to the Legislature were, in many
cases, compromise men, or men who
were not obnoxious to serious objection
from any party, because of the doubtful
character of their political opinions,
or, perhaps, rather because Of their
want Of distinctive political opinions or
principles Of any kind. Thus the Legis-
iature was composed Of very incongru-
GUS material, and was just the kind Of
a body from which marked and deci-
sive action could not reasonably be ex-
pected. Perhaps it is not unfortunate
that it was so; for the somewhat in
tractable, not to say inharmonious, ele-
ments of which it was composed, and
the necessity which soon manifested
itself for the utmost caution and pru-
dence in all its discussions and in all its
action, induced degree Of moderation
which has excited the admiration. not
only of Democrats, but of the Radicals
themselves.
We think it very worthy of remark,
and we commend it to the consideration
OF our opponents, that during the entire
session not word was spoken-not an
act was done-which could give offense
to any member of their party on the
floor Of either House; and that through
out the most cordial feeling prevailed
amongst all the members.
But what are the substantial results :?
First and chief, the way has been open
ed for Convention by which the Con.
stitution may be shorn Of its numerous
excrescences and q polity established
which shall be more simple, less ex-
pensive, and better adapted to the
habits, prejudices and local pecullarl-
ties and usages of our people. That
the people will ratify the action OF the
Legislature and will declare for Con-
vention by majority Of ten or fifteen
thousand we have not the slightest
doubt.
Then that parent OF denominations,
the registration Law, is clean gone forever.
The repose which will be given to our
people by the repeal of this internal law
will much more than compensate for
any errors which may have been COM
mitted by the Legislature. .
Then, again, the long-tailed oaths
with which our people have been made
familiar will no longer tire and dis
gust those WHO are compelled to fire.
quent the places where justice is admin
istered
The jury law has been so revised as
to place all white men upon the same
footing in that respect and altogether
there is almost nothing left Of the whole
fabric which Radicalism had con-
structed to gnaw and corrode our peo-
Pile to defeat u 'tice, and to perpetuate
the power of their own faction.
The good results will be Immediately
felt. A liberal election law, now in op.
Grafton, will permit almost every citi-
zen to vote, and when the coming Con-
ventiou shall have done its work, we
may expect q speedy return Of the old
fashioned fraternal feelings and rela-
tons which the fell spirit Of Radicalism
had expelled from our borders, but
which, even now, with the singing Of
birds and the voice of the turtle begin
to pervade our land, with all the gentle
influence of the happy spring.