The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1872-03-25

whatever lies in their power for the
benefit and efficiency of the system, but
they don't know exactly how to get at
it and their desire for economy some
times causes them to lose sight OF the
fact that there are objects to be attained
that are vastly more important than
saving a few dollars to the treasury OF
the State.
Another matter upon which the Con-
vention seems to need instructions 10 the
proposed chapter in the Constitution IN
regard to corporations. | fear that
unless the report Of the Committee of
the Whole be materially modified in
Convention, we will have no more rail-
roads in West Virginia. Our people
are not able to build the railroads we
need without the assistance and CO.
operation of the powerful moneysd cor
porations in other States. Our central
geographical position makes it . mat
ter OF some importance to these corpor-
atoms to carry their freight and pas
sengers through our territory, because
the shortest line between many OF the
points OF production and sale lies
across our State. But no large and
wealthy corporation, such, for instance.
as the Pennsylvania Central Railroad
Company, is likely to be willing to belt
West Virginia with iron rails if the
Constitution of the State contains all
the restrictions upon such enterprises
that are contained in the report on Cor
porations. They will give our State a
wide berth; seek out some other route
through State that will grant them
greater privileges, and treat them as
friends rather than as foes; aud our
young and vigorous commonwealth "
will be left to pine in thought, and sit,
not "like Patience on monument,
but like a short-sighted miser who has
overreached himself in a bargain and
does not spend his leisure in smiling
at grief"
| have another adverse criticism to
offer. Many of the members OF this
Convention seem to think they are in
the Legislature, and that, if they do
make mistake, the consequences will
not be very serious, for the next Legis-
lature will repeal whatever is found to
have been injudicious or i'll advised.
They want to make Constitution that
will closely fit the State of West Viz.
ginia in the year Of grace 1872; but
they forget to leave room for the growth
of the STRIPPING whom they are 80 closely
measuring. There is lack OF forecast;
neglect TO provide for the contingent
cies and possibilities Of coming years ;
that detracts very much from the value
Of the work done. If another Consti-
tutional Convention were to be held
next year, or even five years hence,
that Convention would probably en-
large the short measure Of this 30 as to
suit the necessities of that time. But
as such Convention is luxury that
cannot be conveniently had for the
mere asking, it might be well for the
present representatives of the people to
put little more India rubber into the
composition now being prepared and
make it more flexible and elastic.
But | must cease writing if / would
preserve my right to scold the long
MINDED speakers. A resolution that
has some OF the sweet odor Of adjourn
ment about it was offered by Mr.. Will
ley to-day and referred. 1t proposed
the appointment of committee Of
three to revise the Code of laws so as
to make it conform to the new Consti-
tuition Gn case OF the adoption OF the
latter and make report to the Legisla'
ture.
Several Intellectual attempts were
made to-day to increase the capitation
tax; the Convention refused to amend
the report Of the Committee Of the
Whole concerning the State debt; in
creased the limit of the levy for county
purposes from seventy-fve to ninety
fire cents on the one hundred dollars,
exclusive Of school levies, and those
that may be specially ordered by a
three-ffths vote Of the people.
The weather to-day has been and to-
night is intensely cold considering the
season and the place) and the chief
topic of conversation among the oldest
inhabitants is the extraordinary weather
that has been inflicted upon this portion
of the footstool during the present winter.
underscore present because the number
of times | have ceased writing this
evening in order to replenish the fire
makes me ashamed to say that the
winter is past The almanac has it go!
but the almanac was not calculated
with proper reference to the disturbing
effect of Constitutional Convention in
West Virginia. l..