The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1872-07-30

West UNION, W. Va, July 10, ~.
Join @. Birk:
DEAR SIR-Yours Of the 21st ult. ia at
hand. As you appear anxious to know
my views OF the proposed West Virginia
Constitution, am free to give them, but
would soy in the first place that am not
meddling with politics in any way at
present. My views Of this subject are so
far different from those Of my party, that
in this respect / stand alone. You are
aware that l did not endorse the "Flick
Amendment" and this thing" Il know
not what else to call it) grew out Of the
Flick Amendment. Therefore he who
endorses the first must swallow the latter.
| object to the proposed Constitution
First-Because it is far more expensive
than ours.
secondly-Because It was gotten up BY
a pack Of time serving demagogues or
schening adventurers, who, by their trea.
sonab!e mishaps or otherwise, had not q
Title behind tie times, and think this Con.
stitution will give them an Opportunity of
getting into office again.
? Thirdly-Because it Is detrimental to
the interests Of the industrious tax. paving
portion OF both parties, and only serves
those who are trying to make money by
iHegG! StratGgem. 10
Fourthly-Because its advocates, and
the general tone of the document, arc so
fearful of the elevation Of the poor and
down.rodden. And lift is ratified, every
amendment thereof win be more and
more oppressive. The trainers OF this
poor mans scourge" have wreathed the
lash with flowers in order to delude the
unwary toil-worn laborer into voting for
an increase Of his burdens. If any sting
TO the poor man has been 'omitted, It was
because 1t was too prominent to be hid.
den beneath the glass Of deception. One
OF the members OF the Convention offered
a resolution that no man should have a
vote unless he could show that he had
paid his taxes Tor the previous year. This
was only voted down because they saw
that 1t would beunpopular, and would be
scowled at by the very ones whom thew
expected to vote the Constitution into
power. II such law was in force in
Chicago and Illinois, who would have q
right to vote?
Fiithly-BecauSe in many particulars
it Is in conflict with the Constitution Of
the United States So far as it interferes
with either of the races or OF the Negroes
holding office, it conflicts with the gen.
eral government. And as, lam no "State
right man" must consider it treason.
Aud lastly but not leastly-Because we
want men TO fill our Offices whose past
conduct have not been such as to make
us fear to trust them in the future,
Now MIR. Birk ! will try to show YOU
wherein my party and I differ on the is.
sue Of the August election. They wish to
fill each place with candidates, and in
this way recognize the hell begotten doc.
ument before its birth. Their argument
is that this Is Jour only way Of saving any
OF the county offices, in case the constitu.
ton should be ratified. But moments
thought ought TO show any one that each
man that we put in tho field, whether
Republican or Democrat, Is offered al
bride, or at least temptation to vote for
the proposed constitution. Now the In.
genious idea OF saving a few of the county
offices at the expense OF our present Con.
sttution, reminds me very much of the
man who went to the farrier for medicine
for his horse and for his dog. The fsrrier
gave him copperas for his horse and no.
tassia'aCetes for his dog. When he reach.
cd home he concluded there was not
enough medicine for both, and gave It ali |
to the dog. The cOppcras killed tho dos,
and the horse died for want oft. AT the
August election l shall vote for the reiec.
ton Of the constitution, and not for "a |
single candidate. This Is as far as I can
recognize that document. Then l hope
to have chance to vote for my friends
in October. If my party dies let me die |
with it rather than barter my principles,
Now Mr.. Birk lets come in solid pha.
lanx from both parties, rallying the better
portion OF the people, especially the tax.
payers, and vote down the constitution in
August, and save the life of the horse,
and then cure the dog in October.
The clearest sky and brightest sunshine
follows the hardest storms.