The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-08-14


ran he repeated in the same manner as
whcu thee we're originally passed
Aad sou, fellow Democrats, cannO:, in
view of these nefrarious practices OF
Radicalism ia the past, feel assured
against their repetition, in the contin-
geucy of the curse ola renewed RNdi'
cal ascendaney, except by the incorpo-
ration Of plain, positive aud unequivo-
cal prohibitions III suOther and new
Constitution.
That reforms, IS to these defects,
will, we INTERESTINGLY assure cur
friends, ifs Convention should be.
called, be proposed to the people, there
can be no doubt. And while it is moi
proper, in paper cmanatiug from us,
to point out in detail the many other
reforms which will be incorporated yet
We indulge the confident hope and be.
lief, that in body composed as it will
be-, Of wise, prudent, and able men, SO.
lected from tho body Of the People,
that we mag look for reformation in
our County organizations, which, in
practice, has subjected us to monstrous
burdens Of Taxation, which is the re.
suit Of and is inherent in tho present
Constitution, and therefore beyond the
Reach of mere Legislative correction.
That the Judiciary, which was, by
the present Constitution, desigmediy
made subordinate to. and an instru-
ment to carry out Legislative behests,
by making the Judges subject to ex-
pulsion without real cause, by mere
partizan Legislative majority, will be
restored to is normal purity and indie
pendence; aud at the same timc give
assurance, in tho administration Of the
Laws Of Justice to ALL!
That wise and judicious provisions
will be incorporated, affording protCc.
ton TO all alike, intoxicating broad
and just sentiment Of harmony, ami,y,
concord, and kindly feelin G amongus
all, which are SO essential to enterprise,
business relations, thrift and prOspcri-
ty in the land
This, it is mot reasonable to suppose,
can follow or DO obtained, unless we
have q Constitution which derives its
powers AMI authority from the consent
Of the governed. Such is not the
character Of our present Constitution ,
but, upon tho contrary, its authority
is derived partly from an alleged afiir-
NATIVE vote Of 1000 people, out Of a
voting population exceeding GO,OOO,
and partly BY the bchest Of the Con-
gross of the United States. This is not
the character Of government. even il
unobjectiouable in form, which Demo.
Gratis most delight to honor; and
which, il they do justice to themselves,
will be superseded by one not only
UNDERSTANDABLE in detail, but which
will have the sanction and approval Of
q majority Of all the Free Voters Of
the State!
Fellow. Democrats! The Radical
party of this State, to divert your at
teatiOn from the execution Of pur.
pose to reform your organic law, and
to induce you TO rcpudiutc the action
of the Democratic party in the Legis-
laturc. have avoided making defence
of these most Objectionable features in
the present Constitution, and have
sought. by exaggerated estimates, md
employing unscrupulously the faculty
Of Misrepresentation, to mislcad you
into the belief that q Convention will
subject you to encrous charges to dc.
fray its expenses. These new.
born economists, when practicing their
prohigate expenditures to pay Boards
Of Registration. aud their pets and en-
ployees simply to maintain power, for.
get to practice what they so glibly
preach, and squandercd, in di,franchis-
ing your fellow.citizens, during the
past Eve years, enough to pay the costs
Of ut least t,ro Constitutional COnren.
tionS! In reply and for a succinct an
swcr to all their exaggerated estimates,
it is sufficient to say: That the pro-
posed Convention, by law, is to be
composed of the same number Of men,
bers that now compose the Legislature,
and are to be paid at the same rate per
diem; and that all the incidental charges
of the Convention will be necessarily
less than those Of the Legislature, rs it
will be bu. one body. The annual nv.
erage cost Of session of the L"gisla.
ture is about S2l 900, and We asccr-
tain that il the session Of tho Convon-
ton should be protracted beyond the
time allowed to the Legislature, which
is not likely to occur, so us to swell
the charges to $9s,00O, tax for one
year Of Two AND ONE HALF CESrs on
every 800 Of property, or Twenty.
FlvE CESrs on ere,y One Wo"m"d
Dollars 'of Property, would serve to
pay the entire expenses ct the Conven.
ton We need not point out to you
that your natural and proper incentive
to reform your Government will justify
you in making this paltry expenditure,
and especially SO, when you may well
consider it profitable investment, &C.
complishing, as it will, such rOduc-
ton in your State and County expend.
lures.
We indulge the hope that on the
Fourth Thursday of the present month
you will, impressed with sense of du.
~ to yourselves and to posterity, and
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