The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1872-02-12
Proper Representa- ton.

Editors Of the Register:
The criticisms as far as seen on the
communication signed Passive seem
generally in the right direction, and
might rather be classed as suggestions
growing out of, or expansions of the
principle evolved in that communica-
ton, any impertectiors in or objections
against which would rather arise from
it's brief statements than anything else'
80 the writer flatters himself.
The principles were merely limited at,
with scarcely any reference to their
practical workings, which would neces-
sarily be imperfect on account of the
present state OF society, both socially
and politically.
As was intimated, objections seem
bristlipg all around as thickly as Aus
TRAN spears to the breast OF Arnold
Winkelried, who, as
"The keen points met from side to side
Bowed among them like tree,
And yet made way Tor liberty.
And, although the original plan, if plan
there was, be lost, yet the principle re-
mains which is TO give freedom to I'M
represented minorities.
Let not local sefishness govern us,
lust over the border. Another majority
rules. Let us set an example. We can
afford to be generous, for II ever party
had no need to fear its opponent, it is
the Democratic party Of our State.
HIS" criticism in the Iateligencer
seems superhous, and he goes on to. i'm
prove on the plan of CA" another cor
respondent, whose communication l
have not seen; but was not the same
idea suggested by Passive" yet not
carried out so fully, owing to the limit Of
the communication?
To restate: 1t is plain principle,
that no citizen who has not forfeited
the risht OF citizenship, should be COM
PEELED to forfeit his right Of representa-
lion, be he ~. D. D. Rosset" or any
other bore, if we carry out the principle
in a literal manner. This gentleman
having one vote in 5000. is entitled 10 a
six minute speech in a 500 hour session
OF the Legislature, and may be FIVE
cents pay, il members were to be paid
prOportionally.
Yet no one proposes exactly this, as !
am aware of. Any school boy can de-
scribe a round body, yet the most com
plete geometrician cannot make one.
4 skillful mechanic makes one sufficient
for all practical purposes. So to come
as near the above principle in practice
as we can, considering the imperfection
OF the material and lack Of skill in the
artisans, let liz district the State, county,
or whatever is to be represented. into
such number OF parts as to secure the
representation OF all prominent parties
and interests, so that not less than three
will be required to be elected-ten would
be betterAthe candidates 10 transfer
their votes until the required number
would be sent-or less, not more-and
if there still remain party who cannot
transfer their votes to any one OF those
to be sent, some provision could
be made whereby their rights and
interests could be cared for
But, Messrs. Editors, this subject OF re-
form in government is interminable,
and | feel that we occasional cores
pondents are intruding upon your-at
this time-valuable space. Yet, now
wouId seem to be the time 10 agitate
this class of questions, while our cho-
sen men are laying the foundation for
government in our young State.
Were it not that the talk might
prove as unlimited as the correspOn-
dence, wonld it not be desirable TO call
a meeting 10 give citizens an opportu.
nity of exchanging views? This would
probably have more influence with our
Convention. Not at all disparaging the
influence OF your very. valuable paper;
excuse me
Let the Convention leave the matter
open in some shape, so that our Legls-
lature can act upon it, and we can can
vass the matter during the recess of the
Legislature, and other news, which may
mean dog days. Yet, in the meantime,
your correspondent proposes to remain,
as occasion may require, either active
or Passive.