The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-08-11

Democrats, cannot, in view Of these ne
farious practices Of Radicaliam in the
past feel assured against their repeti-
ton, in. lfhs contingency of a renewed
Radical ascendancy, except by the in
corporation Of plain, positive aud une-
quivocal prohibitions in another and
new Constitution. ... 81.
That reforms, as to these defects, will,
we Undertaking assure our friends, if
Convention should be called, be pro.
posed to the people, there can be no
doubt. And while It's not proper, in a
paper emanating from us, to point out
in detail the many other reforms which
will be incorporated, vet we indulge the
confident hope and belief, that in a
body composed as it will be, Of wise,
prudent and able men, selected from
the body of the people, that we may
look for reformation in our county or.
CARNATIONS, which, in practice has sub.
Jected us to monstrous burdens of taxa.
ton, which is the result OF and il in
herent in the present Constitution, and
therefore beyond the reach OF mere Leg
islative correction.
That the Judiciary, which was by
the present Constitution, designedly
made subordinate to, and an instru
ment to carry out Legislative behests,
by making the Judges subject to expul-
sion without real cause, by mere par
tizan Legislative majority, will be re-
stored to it's normal purity and indie
pendence; and at the same time give
assurance in the administration Of the
laws, ofjustice to all
That wise and judicious provisions
will be incorporated, affording protec-
ton to all alike, intoxicating broad
and just sentiment of harmony, amity,
concord and kindly feeling among US
all, which are so essential 10 enterprise,
business relations, thrift and prosperity
in the land.
This, it is not reasonable to suppose,
can follow or be obtained unless we
have a Constitution which derives it's
powers and authority from the consent
OF the governed. Such is not the char
acter OF our present Constitution; but,
upon the contrary, its authority is de-
rived partly from an alleged affirmative
vote Of $4,000 people, out Of voting
population exceeding 10000, and partly
by The .behest OF the Congress of the
United States. This is not the charac-
ter of government, even il unobjection-
able in form, which Democrats most
delight to honor; and which, if they do
justice to themselves, will be superseded
by one not only unobjectonable in de-
tail, but which will have the sanction
and approval Of majority Of all the
free voters Of the State
Fellow Democrats! The Radical
party of this State, to divert your atten-
ton from the execution of purpose to
reform your organic law, and to
induce you to repudiate the action Of
the Democratic party in the Legisla-
ture, have avoided making a defense OF
these most Objectionable features in the
present Constitution, and have sought,
by exaggerated estimates, and en-
ploying unscrupulously the faculty
of Misrepresentation, to mislead you
into the belief that Convention will
subject you to onerous charges to de-
fray its expenses. These newborn
economists, when practicing their prof
ligate expenditures to pay Boards OF
Registration, and their pets and en-
ployes simply to maintain power, for
get to practice what they so glibly
preach, and squandered in disfranchis-
ing your fellow-citizens, during the
past five years, enough to pay the costs
of at least two Constitutional Conren-
tions ! In reply and for succinct an
swer 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 mem
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 ne
cessarily less than those of the Legisla-
ture, as it will be but one body. The
annual average cost of session OF the
Legislature is about $2l 900, and we
ascertain that if the session Of the Con.
vention should be protracted beyond
the time allowed to the Legislature,
which is not likely to occur, so as to
swell the charges to $4,000, a tax for
one year Of TWO AND A HALF CENTS on
every 500 Of property, or TWENTY-FIVE
CENTS on every one thousand dollars Of
property, would serve to pay the entire ex-
penses Of the Convention We need not
point out to you that your natural and
proper incentive to reform your govern
ment will justify you in making this
paltry expenditure, and especially so
when you may well consider it a profit
able investment, accomplishing as it
will, such a reduction in your State
county expenditures,
We indulge the hope that on the
fourth Thursday Of the present month,
you will, impressed with sense ofduty
to yourselves and to posterity, and
di.regarding the artful arguments and
seductive appliances OF the Radical
party, be found in the performance Of
that duty, we confidently believe your
convictions will require at your hands
battling on the side Of liberty and
reform
II. B. CAMDEN, Chairman,
IEoNIDAs SMITH,
JOHN WHITE,
JAS. w. WoFFINDIN.