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

Matthew'S, mLtlu, MOuett, atel
Peerce, Robinson, Roberts, Travers,
Thompson, Thornburg, Wartb, Woods
Us.
The nays were: Arnett, Atkinson,
Basel, Bee, Brown, Cslfee, Campbell,
Core, Grim, Gushing, Dickinson, Faulk
ner, Farnsworth, Gallaher, Hall, Hay
mond, Haynes, Jackson Of Lewis, Jack
son of Wood, McCleary. McC.eary,
Miller, Morgan, Osburp, Pannell. Park
Pendleton, Prince, Pugh, Randolph,
Smith, Snider, Station, Stricken, Ward,
Wilson, Wiley, Mr.. President-3S.
1t was objected that the oath was in
the nature OF a test oath. which, as
we all know, are particularly de-tested
in this free and enlightened Common.
wealth, and it was also alleged with, as
it seems to me, great deal of force,
that the oath will be entirely Intellectual
to eradicate the evil at which it is
aimed. A man who has brains enough
20 make it worth while for railroad
company, or any other corporation, 10
buy his services as a legislator, will
usually have enough shrewdness to
evade the pnrgation contemplated by
the oath; or if be is corrupt enough to
steal, he will generally be found cor
rupt enough to swear falsely in order TO
better his chances for dishonest gain or
cover up the tracks Of his dishonesty.
A shrewd rogue land the corporations
usually employ none other) may drive
a coach aud four through that oath
without touching a single letter OF its
provisions. and may easily satisfy that
very uncertain and problematical mont
tor called by courtesy his conscience,
that he is guilty OF no offense incon'
sistent with the oath he has taken.
Mr.. Pendletons speech, which was a
very interesting and effective one, and
was heard with great attention by the
Convention, (as mis- remarks upon any
subject always are, was directed main
lv to comnendstion of the object sought
to be accomplished by the oath rather
than to an approval Of that particular
means OF procuring the desired result.
He thought it well to show the mem
bers Of future Legislatures how sternly
the Constitutional Convention repro
batedand frowned upon Legislative bri-
berry and how anxious it was to secure
purity in the public service. All OF
which was very handsomely said and is
very well indeed, but the same result
would probably have been accomplished
by the employment OF the less objec-
tionable means which Mr.. johnson
proposed.
Considerable progress. was made by
the Convention in the second reading
OF the article under consideration, but it
was not completed at the hour OF ad-
iournment. The section fixing the seat
Of government at Charleston until
otherwise provided by law" was passed
over without amendment and without
debate. The silence was ominous,
however, and indicated anything but
harmony or Indifference among the re-
spective clans. Gun, tacent CLAIMANT
1t is now very probable that Consti-
tntional provision will be made author
izing the Legislature, at some time
within two or three wears, to submit to
The people Of the State the subject OF
proportional representation, and pro-
viding further that, if the principle be
approved by the popular vote, the Leg
islature shall re,district the State, or
adopt whatever legislation may be
necessary for giving the system practi-
cal effect. This is as much as the
friends Of the principle can judiciously
insist upon at this time. It's mention
in the Constitution as one of the posi-
billties that may follow the adoption OF
that instrument will attract popular
attention to the measure and thus tend
to the wider dissemination of informa-
ton concerning it and fuller knowledge
ofits practical results. We will, by the
time Of its being voted upon here have
seen how it works in Illinois and, prob
ably, what are its results in Pennsylva-
MIA and Ohio. The details OF the plan
will probably he left to the Legislature
to determine, and | may remark here
that | have found the ideas suggested
by the writer Of several communica-
tons signed Passive" and published
in the REGISTER some week ago, meet
with much favor. You will remember
that the gist of his plan is that the
total vote in the Legislature shall equal
the total vote in the State, and that
each delegate shall cast the number Of
votes he Individually represents. Some.
thing OF this kind would do away with
all talk about "unrepresented fractions"
which have caused so much trouble in
the Convention.
But find that my letter is growing
to decidedly improper length, and
will taper down its termination by say
ing that the weather here, in somewhat
tardy response to the ardent wishes OF
the Charlestonians is at least improv-
ing, and it is hoped that on or before
the fourth day Of July the streets will
be free from mud and the blue birds
will be singing about green peas, as
paragus and other early vegetables.
There is a vague rumor in circulation
that somebody saw somebody who said
that he had heard somebody say that
somebody had seen a red breasted robin
this year and had heard him sing, but
no veracious correspondent would dare
to assert such an astounding circum-
stance as an absolute fact. | will say
this, however, that have seen one flock
OF blackbirds (fealhered and heard two
crows (not three) cawing in their flight
over the town. OF course the glories OF
spring with all its ethereal mildness"
and all its attendant "colds id the
head is near at hand. L..