The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1872-02-16
feeling OF some OF the members Of the


the attention of the committee to the
manner in which they were progressing
He eaid the fact was they were not pro-
crossing at all. If members desired to
deliver extensive biographies of one
another, or to deliver autobiographies,
they would never finish the work be-
fore them. He hoped the members
would confne themselves to the point
in debate. He stated the substitute
and asked the committee to take it into
serious consideration.
This request did not have tie desired
effect, as there were some who had
never as yet appeared upon the floor,
and Sunday had interviewed and given
them an opportunity 10 scour up their
rhetorical talents, to place their mighty
thoughts on paper and infict them
upon the committee.
Mr.. Leonard favored the report Of
the committee in a very brief but per.
tinent speech, combining himself chiefly
to the first part Of the substitute. He
contended that so soon after the adop.
ton OF the Flick amendment, it would
be inconsistent to insert the word
white"
Mr.. Monroe chose to take the oppo-
site course and INDUCED in grandilo-
quent sophomore elaboration of the
wrongs inflicted by the Republican
party. lie thought the substitute ex-
pressed the sentiments of nineteen
twentieths of the people OF West Vir-
ginia; wept over the by-gone days OF
the "old Commonwealth" flung in the
cypress and willow for dramatic effect,
and subsidized b. calling for glass Of
water TO revive his dropping spirits.
His remarks were extremely out Of
taste, considering the request o. the
chairman.
The remarks of Mr. Monroe brought
Mr. Wiley to HE feet, who said that he
had come in the minority. only expect
ing to be a silent voter and assist by his
vote in commencing what he considered
proper for the framing OF good con-
stitution and condemning what he
thought was wrong.
He considered that he and the mem
bers with whom he was connected would
be guilty OF moral cowardice if they
allowed such words addressed 20 them
as were addressed today. Is the Con-
yention to take back what it has already
said in the first section of the Bill OF
Rights, That the power ofgovernment
resides in all citizens of the State, and
can only be exercised by their will and
appointment" He was not here to say
that the right Of suffrage is a natural
right 1t is right conferred, and one
which any State may regulate for itself,
but in conformity with its other Con.
stitutional law. Will you compel the
poor citizen to stand between you and
war, and deny him the right Of saying
by his vote who shall govern him?
The gentleman from Hampshire, Mr..
Monroe, said our acts were by fraud.
He should look up, not down! Do not
be digging up the carcasses Of the past,
trying to galvanize them into life. They
are gone gone glimmering with the
past never to return. Who built your
thousands of free schools, your manu-,
factories, &c? l challenge inspection
and ask whether, under the corrupt
rule of nine years Of which the gentle
man speaks, West Virginia has not
made more progress than under the
forty year rule OF its good old mother?
He concluded by long apostrophe to
the old flag, and the respect for it
abroad and here, and stating his oppo-
siton to the whole substitute.
He was followed by Mr. Ward, of
Cabell; and, by the way, | will give
you a description OF this parsonage
lie is an old bachelor, between sixty
five and seventy years OF age "a pretty
old bachelor, Ell p, who, believe, is a
native of Virginia, and has represented
his county many times in the Assembly
of that State. He was slightly mixed
up in the late unpleasantness, which
tended to reduce him in circumstances.
lie is a lawyer by profession, and also
possesses some medical skill. He is
the proprietor of patent medicine
known as Wards Magic Relief" He
possesses fine talents as a debater, is
quick at repartee, and delivers his
brilliant sarcasms in humorous and
witty style.
Mr.. Wiley was handled by him, iu
my opinion, in the proper manner. He
said he did not rise to contest the palm
of oratory, and that all the brilliant
display of eloquence by the gentleman
proved nothing upon the question be-
fore the committee. He arraigned the
Republican party and examined it as
to its progress Of which the gentleman
(Mr. Willey) spoke. He asked il the
denial OF right Of trial by jury, the test
oaths, the registration acts, were evil
dences of progress. IT the gentleman
thought so, the people of West Nir-
GINA did not think so, for by their
ballots they had denounced them. If
the Republican party was party Of
progress other Southern States did not
bear testimony Of such a fact, &c.
might 60 on and give you extracts
ad ibitDm but l will let this suffice
Many others occupied the time in
useless debate, giving their pas, political
record, DC, all of which was contrary
to the desire Of majority of the Con-
vention.
The liberty of speech and the latitude
Of discussion allowed in the committee
of the Whole is very serious draw.
back upon the progress of useful and
necessary work. There are so many
champions of the people aui OF the |
rights of the people that it is disgusting
to listen to stale and set speeches used
in that connection.
The session adjourned without vote
on the substitute and it is impossible to
say when vote will be reached My
opinion OF the result is, that the report
OF the committee will be adopted Gas it |
hos bepn tbns farl with q Cav ;r,p,o