South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1871-08-11

the people have not become reconciled by
nine years experience Of its results. Ii
ueedlessly mulsiplies offices, and increases
the burdens of taxation. In some counties
1t Is barely tolerated in others it is criey-
our burden. We have no doubt tho wis
dom Of the Convention can readily suggest
some other system of County Government.
more suitable 30 our pastoral and agricul.
tural habits, to our general sparse aud scat
tered population, and to our small and
mountainous counties.
Resoicet', VIII. Since the elevation of
the colored race TO the dignity of citizenship
and TO the right Of suffrage, justice to those
counties in which that population dwells,
requires that the apportionment of Rcpresen-
tdtion in the Legislature shall be based up
on the entire population, not exclusively
upon the 'chits population, as the present
Constitution prescribes.
Pcsoicc3, Y. The power given by the
Constitution to q najority of the Legisa-
ture to remove the Judges from office is re-
pugnant to every sound principle of Gov
ernment.-Every Judge in this State now
holds his Office at the will and caprice of
the Legislature. From tho partizan or i'm
appeal or redress. Popular elections and
short terms sufficiently impair the indie
pendence of the Judiciary this provision
utterly destroys it. Il may be doubtful if
any instance can be found under the present
Constitution where Circuit Court Judge
has declared any act of the Legislature uu-
constitutional and we believe it has been
done but in a single case by the Supreme
Court of Appeals; and that ono where no
interest or feeling could be excited by the
decision
Resolced, y. We believe the principle
OF Minority Representation one of the most
practical and valuable discoveries which in
modern times has been made in the Science
of Popular Government; emnently calcu-
lated to allay the asperities of Party; to re-
move temptations to fraud, violence and
corruption to secure fair representation
of every interest in the State, aud to give
permanency and vitality to our Republican
institutions. 1t has been adopted, to some
extent, with success in England and in
some of the States of this Union, and we
should be pleased to see it incorporated in
to tho Constitution of West Virginia.
Resolccd, II. We IRE unalteraJly oppos-
Ell to any change or modification of that
article of our existing Constitution which for.
bids tho Legislature to contract a PUBLIC
DEBT for purposes of Internal Improve
ment, or TO guarantee the liabilities of
counties, cities and corporations. We be-
lieve that the history of the country has in
contestably shown for the last half century,
that, this is power which cannot safely be
lodged in any State Legislature. Fortu.
naiely the exercise of such power IL at this
time, as unnecessary as il would be fraught
with evil for such Is the accumulation of
surplus capital now in this country, that if
any scheme Of internal improvement wor-
thy'of State enterprise can be presented cx-
hibiting fair and profitable results il can
without difficulty be accomplished by
means of private capital as, indeed, every
important road already made, and now max
iug in this State, is being done through
private capital.
Rcsolced, XII. We arc opposed to any
material modification or change of tho 10th
article Of the present Constitution providing
for system Of FREE SCHOOLS. We be-
ieve that provision Of our Constitution to
be eminenly wise, just aud beneficial aud
If there have been errors or annoyances in
carrying the system into practice, they have
been the result Of imperfect legislation
which may be remcdied by the action Of the
same department.
Rcsoiccd, XIII Occupying the highly
favorable position which West Virginia
does between the great valleys Of tho Ohio
and Mississippi aud tho sea board We NAV
naturally expect in addition 10 those great
works already finished and 10 progress TO
see our State penetrated by numerous Rail
road lines, tho owners Of which, will feel
themselves sufficiently indebted to us for
the mere right to pass through our terrific.
ry. These Railroad Companies, with their
gigantic capital and army Of employees, are
already exercising q peTceptiblo influence
upon the legislation and political sentiments
Of this State. IL is czpcdicnt that The Con
yention shall by general provisions Of de-
cisive character, protect the interests Of this
State against tho cupidiiy aud extortiou Of
these associations; and also adopt efficient
measures TO deter our Public agents from
yielding % the Establishments and seeming
harmless briberies which arc beginning 10
form part 0f a regular system By these Cor.
porations, 10 influence the actions Of our
public agents in every department Of the
government.
Resolrod, XIV. There are many other
changes in the Constitution which We think
might be boncdcialIy made, some that would
tend to elevate the character and influence
Of The Judiciary others TO give greater ef-
hciency CD the Executive department.. but
VIC shall leave these provisions without fur
Their comment 10 the wisdom Of The conven-
ilon, believing that every suggestion will
there undergo a thorough and carcf.t ~