The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1872-03-13

Taylor In one DeIe&ate Dlstrlct-
The Capitol observation-disclosures
10 be Sw Orn TO be Honest Men
Proportional Representation Still
Gaining Strength.
Special to the Register.l
CHARLESTON, March s.
The forenoon session of the Conven-
ton to-day was occupied by very spir'
tied discussion relative to certain
amendments which were proposed to
the scheme Of representation in the
House of Delegates. The counties oil
Taylor and Barbour having each pop
ulation somewhat in excess Of the $500
which has been nominally fixed
as the basis of representation, were
by the Committee OF the Whole
constituted delegate district and
authorized to elect three delegates. An
effort was made by Colonel Wilson on
behalfof Harrison county, which has a
fraction over the number requisite for
her own two delegates, to attach Har-
rison to the district composed Of Bar
bour and Taylor in order that that
county might share with the other two
the services Of the extra delegate which
had been conceded to them. The effort
was unsuccessful in Committee Of the
Whole, but was renewed in Convention
this morning and finally crowned with
success. The three counties, Harrison,
Barbour AMI Taylor are (unless the
Convention changes its mind) to const-
tute a delegate district which will have
five representatives in the House OF
Delegates, two from Harrison, one from
TAYLOR, one from Barbour, and one Just
"sioshing around" unfortunately and
indefinitely, without local habitation
and, as yet, without name.
The debate was very animated one
and led to some personalities between
Mr.. Wilson and Mr.. Woods, which, as
| was informed, were more seriously
belligerent than any that have hereto
fore occurred in the Convention. Pa
cific emotions, however, soon succeeded
the heated passions Of debate; mutual
explanations were offered; the misun-
Outstanding cleared up; and the calm
serenity Of the assembled wisdom
was soon restored.
The inevitable and omnipresent
Capital question" had probably some
thing to do with the whole matter under
discussion. 1t was studiously kept be
meath the surface, but its influence was
nevertheless patent to any careful ob-
server. The inevitable contest about
the location of the Capital after it is
plucked up by the roots from its pres
ent situation (if that ever be) is already
in the preliminary and skirnishIng
stage. The delegate district composed
of Barbour and Taylor would probably
have three votes to cast in favor OF
Grafton, while if Harrison county were
made part OF the district there was a
possibility that three votes would be
given to Clarksburg and but two for
Grafton.
don't pretend TO assert positively
that Mr.. Woods or Mr.. Martin were
actuated solely by this motive in siren
uously opposing the admission OF Har,
rison county to the delegate district, nor
that Mr. Wilson and Mr.. Lurty were
influenced BY a similar desire az re
garled their own county in just as
strenuously and, az the sequel proved
even more successfully contending for
allowing Harrison county a voice IN
the selection Of an additional delegate !;
but the proceedings squinted that way.
While one eye was looking directly to
the cause OF justice and the equitable
apportioument of representation, the
other cast furtive and amorous glances
upon Grafton or Clarksburg as eligible
seats for the State Capital.
The principal discussion in the after
noon related to the oath prescribed to
be taken by members Of the Legislature.
1t has already been published in the
REGISTER, but may well be reproduced
here to the terror Of all who aspire to
seats in the legislative body. 1t reads
as follows:
a. do solemly swear Tor AFFIRM tina,
will support the Constitution OF the
United States, and the Constitution Of
the State OF West Virginia, and will
faithfully discharge the duties of Sena
tor for Delegate) according TO the best
OF my ability; and that that have not
since my election as Senator or Delegate,
and DiN not accept or receive, directly
or indirectly, any money or other valu.
able thing, from any corporation,
company or person, for any vote or
influence l may give or withhold, on
any bill, resolution or appropriation, or
for any official act"
Mr.. johnson, Of Wood. moved to
strike out all after the word ability
and gave notice that if the same was
stricken ont, he would move to insert
the following as separate section:
"If any member of the Legislature
after his election as Senator or Delegate,
shall accept or receive, directly or indi-
rectly, any money or other valuable
thing, from any corporation, company
or person, for any vote, or influence, he
may give or withhold, on any bill, reso'
luton or appropriation, or for any
official act, he shall be guilty OF such
otfense and punished in such manner
therefor as may be prescribed by law.
and shall be forever disqualified to hold
any office OF trust or proftin this State"
The motion was very ably and elab-
orately supported by it's author and by
Mr.. Martin, Mr.. johnson, of Tyler,
and Mr.. Holt, of Braxton. 1t was
opposed BY Mr.. Wilson, Mr.. Ward, Mr..
Pendleton, Mr.. Pannell and Mr.. Hay
mond and the vote by yeas and nays at
the end Of the discussion stood as fol-.
lows: .....e
The yeas were: Armatronp. Boggs,