The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1872-02-09
The State Debt Question In the Con.
vention-The Method OF Voting
Report on Executive Department
Prospect OF Much Talh.

r
small by degrees and beautifully less
each recurring day.
In the Convention communication
was read showing the amount of Vir.
ginia bonds held by the citizens OF this
State as ascertained by the Governor
under joint resolution OF the Legisla'
lure OF 1868, l believe. General
Wheat moved to refer it, 10 connection
with the report Of the Commissioners
on the State debt, to special commit,
tee, and supported his motion in his
usual forcible manner. The object con-
templated by the resolution is to con,
slider the whole subject of the State
debt, not only with reference to set,
Element between the States, but also to
the rights Of the creditors OF Virginia,
which should not be overlooked. This
resolution demonstrated that there is a
strong feeling in the Convention in favor
OF an entire reputation Of our portion
of the debt, be it great or small, and SO
soon as the resolution was reported Mr..
Woods, who is an avowed repudiator,
moved to lay it on the table. The mo
ton was lost by vote Of % to 45. Mr..
johnson, not "the immortal much.
haired" but he of Tyler, who always
has a word to say on all subjects, moved
to amend the resolution by instructing
the committee to inquire as to the ex,
pediency of saying nothing about the
State debt, which was adopted, and, in
my opinion, was one Of the most sensi,
BILE propositions of the session. If we
are 10 do anything with this question,
why cannot it be provided that the
State of West Virginia shall ascertain
how much of the debt OF Virginia was
held by her citizens at the time Of
division and is still in their hands, and
assume that amount? Virginia having
refused to allow propositions and we
having treated her offers of arbitration
with the same distinguished considera-
ton, il we intend to pay anything,
which much doubt, why not pay our
own citizns, which would reduce our
proportio just so much?
The VIZ k OF the Convention is get
ting pretty well formed, and today Mr.
Woods, from the committee on Bill of
Rights and Elections, made a report.
The paper is lengthy and bears the
marks Of good deal of care and study,
and in its main features meets with
general appreciation. There is minor
ity report, signed by two members Of
the committee, as to the method Of
voting. The majority favor the secret,
stealthy, ballot system, while the mi
nority prefer the open, manly vi0a vOcs
system. II the motto Of our State is
not a monstrous falsehood why should
not freemen stand up in the broad light
of dav before God and in the presence Of
their fellows, execute that privilege
which is theirs of r ght. ! can see none,
and consequently in this particular, no
necessity OF incorporating imported New
in the organic laws.
Mr., Johnson, OF Wood, from the
on the Executive Depart
ment, &c, also laid before the Conven-
ton the result of their labors. The
plan adopted by the committee provides
for Governor, Lieutenant Governor,
Treasurer and Attorney Gen
eral, to hold their offices for four years,
and to be ineligible for four years there
after. 1t provides for the appointment
OF all officers not made elective, by the
Governor, by and with the advice and
consent ofthe Senate, and gives to the
Governor both an absolute and dis
eliminating veto power. The salary
of the officers above named is fixed at
$1,000, $500, Sl400, $500 and $1,000,
the Lieutenant Governor to receive no
other compensation than his per diem.
The Governor, however, is allowed
$1,000 per year house rent, until an
Executive Mansion is built for his use,
This report seems to meet with but
little opposition as yet, although | can
hardly tell what will develop itself
when the matter has been discussed
The same gentleman made an ad.
ditional report on resolution as TO the
of prohibiting the Governor
from becoming a candidate for United
States Senator while in office, but as the
gentleman believes like a distinguished
gentleman of your city, who has no
hump on his back, in being candidate
first, last and all the time, he reported
it inexpedient to act upon it.
The report of the committee on Tax
alton, &c, which was submitted, yester-
day, was made the special order for
Monday next at 10 clock, when 1t will
be taken up and discussed sertatim.
Mr.. Travers will open the debate in
favor Of the article as reported, and to
whatever subject he chooses to discuss
he brings clear, strong intellect, large
experience, profound research and a
pleasing flow OF language, almost classic
in its purity. The discussion on this
proposition will not last long, | think,
as it meets with general appreciation in
all its main features, and after that Is
OF, the report on Elections and
Bill of Rights will come up; then | fear
nv predictions as 10 the talking talent
will be made good. tor not less than
twenty gentlemen with a laundering
after notoriety and desire to convince
"all the world and the rest of mankind
OF their pre.eminent ability are propos-
ing to inflict themselves upon the Con-
vention, and we can only pray from
such evils good Lord deliver US.
YoRIcK.
A Permanent Seat that - not Per
manent-Election OF JanitOr to the
State House.
CHARLESTON, February ..