The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1872-02-23
.DIoURyINa TIE CONVENTION.
Remarks Made by George o. Daven-
port, Esq, Upon the Resolution TO
Adjourn the Constitutional Con.
ven ton to the City or wheeling.


port, Esq, Upon the Resolution TO
Adjourn the Constitutional Con.
ven ton to the City or Wheeling.
The official invitation extended by
the city Of Wheeling to the Convention
having been presented and read by the
Clerk, Mr.. Davenport said
Mr.. PREsIpENr-The object OF read
ing that communication before this
body, was to fully explain the nature
OF the invitation which has been e1-
tended to this Convention from the city
of Wheeling. The question was called
up the day before yesterday at a time
when the proposition was not fully I'M
derstood by members OF the Convention.
When the vote was taken, many OF the
members of this honorable body were
not advised that committee from the
CITY OF Wheeling was here to invite
personally, and notify you OF the terms
which were offered, and that they were,
also, prepared to escort this body to the
city OF Wheeling free OF cost TO the
State, and to the members OF the Con.
vention. And as the nature ofthls invi-
tation has not been fully understood, |
will here say that it was at the perso.
nal solicitation Of numerous members
that the city Of Wheeling consented to
send this invitation. 1t was no volun.
tary act upon our part, however desira-
BILE it may have been to bold the
deliberations Of this body in the
city Of Wheeling; it was not upon
our motion that this invitation was
originated And we desire that it shall
be understood, and fully understood, as
a proposition made in good faith and in
perfect honesty, as far as we are con-
cerned. We do not desire that the peo-
pie of the city of Wheeling shall be
prejudiced as they have been upon this
door, in the streets of Charleston and in
her public prints, because we offered to
this Convention accommodations that
Charleston could not afford. Every
gentleman must admit that the city Of
Charleston cannot furnish comfortable
and convenient appliances necessary for
the holding of a body Of this character.
The citizens of Wheeling, knowing that
they had more convenient halls, and
that they had ample hotel accommoda-
tons and every facility required for
holding the sessions of the Convention,
and places where the members could be
made comfortable and where they could
come with their families and friends,
and where they could communicate with
their constituents, extended this invita-
zion to the members of this Convention
| to hold their deliberations in that city.
We are told that this invitation is In
violation of pledge, or promise, a
breach OF good faith; that some
person had SAID to the people OF
of the Third Congressional district, "lf
you will vote for this Convention, it
shall be held in Charleston. The
question has been asked, Who made
such a promise? Who had the au-
thority to speak for us? If such a
promise was made to the people of the
city OF Charleston, have they complied
with the contract-if such it may be
called-on their part, to-wit: that they
would furnish a suitable hall and all
the conveniences necessary for holding
the Convention? Have they complied
with the contract on their part? Can
they now come and ask the specific
performance Of the contract on our
part2 Gentlemen, there nevsr a0as any
authority from the people OF the city Of
Wheeling delegated to any one, whether
in the Representative Halls of this State
or elsewhere, to pledge them to any
thing except their loyalty to the State
of West Virginia. 1t is said, also,
that if this Convention should be
removed to the city of Wheeling the
people of the Third Congressional Dis
trict will defeat the adoption OF the
proposed Constitution. Gentlemen,
that seems to me to be one OF the most
monstrous propositions that | have ever
heard uttered in this State. IT the
people who are granted their liberty
granted the elective franchise, granted
the right to appear in courts of justice,
granted their rights as citizens of West
Virginia, by the Constitution we shall
propose-if, when they have the oppor.
tunty to recover all these rights and
privileges, the people of the Third Con-
gressional District seek to perpetuate
the instrument under which the Legis-
lature in times passed deprived them
Of those privileges, why let them do it.
l want 10 see any man from the Third
Congressional District arise in his place
in this House and say he is in favor Of
maintaining the present Constitution OF
the State OF West Virginia, which de-
prives three-iourths of the people OF
his district OF any rights as citizens OF
the State. Iwant to know if that is the
will Of this people? want to know il
they are willing to live under Consti-
tuition which has permitted legislation
more despicable than ever was known
in the history of civilization, and if
they are willing to live slaves, for tine
simple purpose Of having this Conven.
ton assemble in a place where good
hall is not attainable, and where the
ordinary conveniencies and comforts of
life can not be had; then l think the
people OF the Third District of West
Virginia are not ready and willing TO
exercise those duties that pertain to
manhood, and l am willing that they
should live so. if they so desire. No,
this Convention was called for higher
nobler and wiser purpose than to furn.
nish the city OF Charleston with the
presence OF it's members for few
weeks. This Convention was called by
men who felt the weight of the despot-
ism OF the Constitution Of 1868, and
were willing to make any sacrifice nee
essary to repudiate it. 1t was called
by men who had for the last seven