The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1872-02-28

anu are CldulOlluS lOI y ISOcoei oob WV
are OF the number who were the most
anxious TO come here, and thought that
their fame aud fortune would be made
by obtaining seat in such a body
They are not by any means working
members, but mere drawbacks MIN
wheels, or whatever technical term you
may apply to them.
4 Constitution cannot be made in a
day or a week. AS 1t contains the Or
sanic law OF the State, the foundation
stone of our political structure, it is
necessary to arrange it with that pre-
cision and nicely which require i'm,
meuse labor, time and study.
THE LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT.
The Convention, in committee OF the
Whole, have had under consideration
for the past three DAYS the report Of
the committee on the Legislative De
partment. They finished the report
yesterday, except the two sections in
regard to the apportionment OF repre-
sentation, which were passed in the
early consideration of the report. They
will be taken up to-day. and very likely
the discussion of them will occupy two
or three days. There were many
pleasant little encounters during the
discussion of the report that aided very
materially in relieving the monotony
THE LEGISLATORS OATH.
The oath to be administered to mem
bers of the Senate and House Of Dele
gates was the source of many amend,
ments which rebounded and glanced
from it, leaving it as harmless as
though it were an old iron clad.
1t is in substance as follows: IL dc
solemply swear Cor affirm) that | will
support the Constitution OF the United
States and the Constitution of the State
of West Virginia, and will faithfully
discharge the duties Of Senator Tor Del
egate) according to the best OF my
ability; and that l have not accepted
nor will accept or receive, directly OF
indirectly, any money or other valuable
thing from any corporation, company
or person for any vote or Influence
may give or withhold on any bill, reso
luton or appropriation, or for any
official act.
Messrs. Hagans and johnson, OIL
Wood opposed the section; they thought
very much alike. Mr. johnson could
NOT hear TO hear ANYTHING like a test
oath; it was pauseating to him; he
was opposed to it because he thought it
would not accomplish its object and
thought if man would commit q crime
he would perjure himself to cover 1t up
THE CAPITAL QUESTION.
The twentieth section which reads as
follows: "The seat of government shall
be at Charleston until otherwise pro-
vided bv law" created very little excite,
ment.
Mr.. Campbell moved to strike out
the word section, which was lost. Mr.
Hagans moved to strike out Charleston
which was also lest
Dr.. Thompson. Of Putnam. and OIL
course friend of Charleston, moved 10
strike out all after the word "Charles-
ton" as he desired to accommodate the
gentleman from Brooke, (Mr. Camp.
belly with halt a loaf as long as he
could not get whole one. His motion
was withdrawn.
MINISTER'S OF THE GOSPEL.
But the most exciting debate during
the consideration Of the report was in
regard to the ineligibility OF ministers
OF the gospel 10 seats in the Legls'a
ture.
| insert the section that your readers
NAV better understand the amendments
and comments OF the several gentlemen
who favored and opposed it.
"l3. No person holding lucrative
office under this State, the United
States, or any foreign government, no
member OF Congress, no person who is
a salaried officer Of any railroad com,
pany, or who is sheriff, constable or
recorder of any county, or clerk OF any
court Of record, or who is minister OIL
the gospel, or priest Of any religious
denomination, shall be member Of the
Legislature"
Mr.. johnson, Of Wood, was the first
on his feet with an amendment already
prepared, proposing 10 strike out all OF
the section that related to the excluding
OF ministers of the Gospel from the
Legislature. lie thought that under
the 4th section of the bill OF
rights already adopted, we could not
exclude them, and that the people had
a right TO say who should govern
them.
Mr. Mathews went further than the
gentleman from Wood, and offered the
following amendment: To strike out
after word Congress" the words mo
person who is a salaried officer OF any
railroad" and after word record tie
words who is a minister Of the Gospel
or priest OF any religious denomination. y
Mr.. Raymond, Chairman OF the
committee, arose to sustain the report.
He had no objection to the STRIKING
out of ministers of the Gospel, but
there were very few circumstances
under which he could be induced to
vote for one. The committee were de
sirous of having such clause inserted.
He could see no very serious objection
to it. 1t had been a clause in the Constitu,
ton OF Virginia for many years. In
many instances where ministers de-
serted their calling for politics they very
rarely returned to it. He would not
prescribe any man, or set Of men. de
did not think public good demanded it.
AS to railroad companies, they were
already seeking great privileges at the
doors Of the Legislature; they had in
terests in opposition to the people. lie
was willing to give works OF internal
improvement all advantages, but not to
destroy our legislation, and that il
1 a.