The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-08-17

Jacob will appear in the Courier oil to-
CHARLESTON, w. Va,
August 18th, 1871.
Msssrs. W. 4. Quarter. W. Hogcman
and Others:
GENTLEMEN: / have received your
letter of the 7th inst, in which you do
me the honor to request me to give ex-
preston to my views on the subject OF
the call of a Constitutional Convention.
Owing to official duties imposed upon
me in connection with the approaching
election and the returns of the same, l
have thought it proper not TO take any
active part in the present canvass, but
| have no hesitation in saying that |
favor the call for Convention and l
will briefly state my reasons therefor.
Our Constitution has failed to give
complete protection to some Of the fun
damental rights Of the citizens under
its Government. By an oppressive
mode of proceeding the ballot was
denied to many citizens and not only
was there no means OF redress for the
wrongs thus inflicted afforded by ordi-
nary legislation, but the Constitution
itself was painfully silent on the sub
iect. The Courts were closed to large
class of our citizens and they appealed
in vain to the Constitution. Harsh
and unwise laws prevented many per-
sons from the pursuit Of their ordinary
vacations. We want no more test
oaths for voters, suitors, lawyers, and
teachers, and if it can be, we wish to
forget that we ever had Boards OF Reg
istration with their plenary powers for
mischief. Let our bill of rights be go
amended as to prevent the possibility
of this species Of Legislation.
The county and township systems
seem rather unsuited to the wants OF
the people. 1t was the policy Of old
Virginia to subdivide her territory into
small counties; this was done before
the township system was introduced,
and when all local county matters were
managed and controlled by the county
courts. II townships had originally
been a part of the Virginia system Of
government, it is most naturally to be
supposed that she would have had a
much smaller number OF counties.
Pennsylvania, with a township system,
with large territory and q dense popu-
lation, has but sixty six couuties-Mas-
sachusetts has but thirteen, while West
VIRGINIA, with comparatively small ter.
ritory and sparse population, has fifty
four. The experiment OF borrowing
this township system from other States
having large counties and heavy popu'
lalions, and OF migrating it into our
form Of government, has not been pro-
ductive OF good results, and we can dis
card it with manifest benefit to all pub
lie interests. From the fact that most
of our counties are small and with
light population, one body of men can
readily manage all their affairs. A
number of officers can thus be dispense
with, which is in itself great advan-
tage, and we can thus secure perhaps a
greater advantage, the undivided re-
sponsibility of q single body OF men
touching all local affairs.
While there are doubtless other
points in which the Constitution can be
materially improved, the foregoing are
the main reasons that induce me to
support the call Of Convention.
10 prevent any misapprehensions l
may state that l consider the present
provision in our Constitution that pro.
hibits the Legislature from granting the
credit of the State to works Of internal
Improvement wise one, and should
very much regret to see it stricken out.
Permit me also to say that Iftavor an
efficient and as far as may be an
economical system of public instruc-
ton, and any Constitution that does
not provide for the establishment Of
free schools will meet with little favor
from the people.
There is now as little bitterness in
partisan feeling and struggle as is
likely to exist at any time in the future,
and the present therefore seems to be a
fit time in which to examine into and
decide upon the forms and principles
which are to constitute the basis OF our
State Government; and believing this
Ihave little fear Of any cratic or vision
airy proceeding on the part OF delegates
to Convention called at this time,
when the people are fixed in their
determination to give greater dignity to
the State by the enactment OF laws just
in themselves and that bear equally
upon all classes and subjects.
Yours Very Respectfully,
[Signed, JOAN j. JACOB.