The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-06-12
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
MEsrnS. June s ISL.

part IN ms ctate TO restore the ballot to
the participant, in rebellion, the gues-
tivn has Of late been frequently asked
me whether was in favor of Con-
ventiop, (now that the rebel had the
balloD to amend and reform our State
Constitution.
l have long been au advocate for
better and more economical adninistra-
ton Of our State government, and at
the same time the Inauguration ola wise
and liberal system Of internal improve
ments throughout the common uealth,
based upon its credit.
With our present Constitution. Dor
rowed from a dozen northern States,
with its costly machinery and horde of
officers to run the government, and leg
isla,ion fettercd by the Constitution, !
had but little hope of seeing either of
those important objects accomplished
until the rebel was cnfranehised, and
every taxpayer in the State given
voice in the government over him and
hence my zeal in support of the meas
ure wiping out the DISTINGUISHING clause
ia our present Constitution. Now that
all have the ballot, let all make Con-
sfitmion for their government. If this
is government Of the many and not of
the teiO, why object to Convention if
the people wish it? Every candid and
fair minded nan must now admit that
the present Constitution Of this State
is defective in many respects. and net
at oil adapted to the genius of our peo-
pie and the present pressing public ne
cessities Of our country 1t was made
in the midst of a sanguinary civil war,
BY body Of politicians, maddened by
the cause which called the new State in to
existence, and without that reflection
and elaboration which its gravity re-
quired. The hatred OF the old Democ-
racy and the old Constitution of Yir.
ginia by its makers had much 10 do
with its many obnoxious features. and
the Radicalism which perradcs it from
beginning to end.
A Constitution, in my judgment, for
the government Of free people in
State situated as ours, should be general
in its declaration of principles, and not
,pecial-should be organic and not leg
islativo-should establish with precise
ness and clearness divisions of power;
create political departments subordi-
nate to the people. define the functions
of each, aud prescribe to individuals
and the inferior officers Of government,
each, the obedience respectively due to
these departments. Under our present
Constitution We have too many officers.
They harrass and annoy the people, and
eat up their substance. The people Of
this State want a cheap and honest
government, and less taxation and with
a view &c that end, the Governor should
be elected for four years instead oftro.
and be inellig ible for reelection, or at
least until after the expiration Of the
succeeding term. This would paralyze
the executive arm for electioneering
purposes, and cause him to bestov his
patronage upon a better class of our
citizens. The Legislature should NICE,
bienuially, and the members elected for
two years, and the sessions continue
sixty days. Too much legislation is
not only expensive to the people, but
complexities and cOufusos the laws.
The Judges Of the Court of Appeals
and Circuit Judges should DO elected
for twelve years, and made Ineligible
after sixty-fre years of age, because
after that age they most generally have
notsufficient physical or mental strength
for the performance of the duties Of the
Office. The Circuits of the Circuit
Judges should be enlarged 30 as to be
fewer Circuit Judges, and hold two
Courts in each county in every year.
Their salaries should be the same as
the Judges of the Court of Appeals,
because they have more labor to per-
form.
The Board of Supervisors should be
abolished.
The Justices of the county should be
required to hold four county courts a
year to audit and settle the county
claims, lay the county levy, correct err
roncous assessments, and attend to all
road business. The osurt might be
constituted as directed by the Code of
1860, with such compensation as the
legislature in its wisdom might pre-
scribe.
The Recorder should be er.officio
clerk ofths county court, aud keep the
records of that court aud the land books
in his office.
Provision should be made 10 the
Constitution for extending the credit Of
the State by the issue of her bonds on
long time, and a sale thereof with
sinking fund, and the monies applied
to the building of cord roads through
out s paris of the Commonwealth Il,