The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1872-03-01
CONVENTION.
It's Business-Its Probable Termi'
natiOn-The Flag QuestiOn-Wash.
ingtOn's Birthday.

CHARLESTON, February o.
Editors OF the Register:
The work of the Convention goes
bravely on. The committee of the
Whole has passed through the reports
of the standing committee on the first
three articles OF the Constitution, the
report of the committee on Finance and
Taxation, and the report of the COM
mittee on the Legislative Department,
embracing the apportionment of repre-.
sentation in the Senate and House Of
Delegates. The report OF the Execu-
tive Department will next he considered,
and after that the report OF the Judicial
organization of the State. You thus
perceive that we are beginning to see
land, and can form some probable esti-
mate of the duration OF the Conven-
ton. The opinion is now beginning to
prevail that its labors will close about
the Goth OF March-not later certainly
than the first of April. Many valuable
ideas have already been incorporated
into the new instrument, and, judging
by what has already been done, feel
very confident that the new Constitu
ton will be an improvement upon the
present one and will give satisfaction to
the people.
Much diversity Of opinion exists in
the Judiciary committee upon the sub
ject of the organization OF our courts,
and it is said some five Of the ablest
LAWYERS upon that committee will unite
in determined effort in the Convention
to overthrow the conclusions OF the
report. This anticipated contest is
looked forward to with great interest
by the members of the committee and
others, as the subject itself is one which
concerns everybody, and the battle will
be fought on both sides with great ear
nestness and ability.
There has been good deal Of debate
in the Convention, but it is untrue to
say that the discussions have, except
upon one or two occasions, been either
light or frivolous. In the general, the
views presented to the Convention have
been able pertinent, and calculated to
shed l. ht on the subjects under consd-
Grafton. Few bodies have exhibited in
this country more praiseworthy indus.
trv. The Convention assemblies every
morning at ten, and sits until one;
meets again at half.past two in the
afternoon, and continues its session until
near night; then at nine in the morn
Ing, and at haltPast seven at night
until late hour, the committees are at
work reviewing the reports, and bring
ing up the arrears o. Business.
The ridiculous attempt OF few Re
publican partisans in the Convention to
make capital out OF tie United States
flag question has proved an utter ia J.
ure. The large and beautiful fla present.
ed by Mr.. Pike, of New York, stretches
gracefully from CALLER to gallery Of the
building, and covers tie entire wall
near which the Presidents seat is
placed. The real motive which prompt.
ed Mr.. Pike to make tie generous
offer that he did. wa: the opinion ex>
pressed upon the floor Of the Conven-
ton by one of the ab.esi members OF
the body, that the Convention had no
legal authority to appropriate money
for the purchase OF flag, however de-
sirable and praiseworthy such an appro-
priation would be. When this opinion
was announced, and which no one pre-
tended to controvert, Mr.. Pike, who
was present in the hall, authorized q
member, who was sitting near him, to
state that it would afford him great
pleasure to supply this want OF author
ity in the Convention.
One result has followed this action OF
the Convention that to-day, for the first
time since West Virginia has been
State, the flag OF the United States is
floating over the building occupied by
the legislative and executive depart
meuts OF the State Government.
On yesterday, the anniversary of the
birthday OF Washington, was noticed
in an appropriate manner. Immediate
" after the Convention assembled, a
motion was made that the farewell
address of the father OF his country
should be read from the clerks table,
which was done in most solemn and
impressive manner by Mr.. Martin, OF
Taylor. The patriotic and inspired
sentiments OF that grand and memor-
able document, were listened to with
profound interest, and must have ex-
erted healthy and salutary influence
upon all who heard it.
KASAwHA.