The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1872-08-07

LOOniS \Wuo Wno oioo NcoeuI
the adoption of the Constitution / will
speak Of the main argument urged by
the gentleman and which in its charac-
ter was calculated TO deceive the un-
thinking; it was this: He urged that
by the 10th section Of the Sd article of
the Constitution, no person could be
arrested or held to answer for any
offeuse, and particularly criminal one,
unless first he was tried by the judg-
ment of his peers; not only urged 1t
but gave it as . judicial opinion. Com
ing from him as q Judge, some were
disposed to believe it. But when Smith
came to analyze his argument they were
not long in discovering the egregious
error they were about to be led into.
The proposition that murderer could
be allowed to run loose in community
without any restraint until q jury passed
upon his innocence or guilt was perfect
ly preposterous, to say the least OF 1t.
Such, however, was the construction
placed upon it by Judge Loomis.
Our worthy friend John A. Hutchln-
son, OF Parkersburg, also fell into the
same error as Judge Loomis, in relation
to the intent and meaning Of the 10th
section OF the new Constitution. That
is not the only error our friend was led
into, and, Mr.. Editor, fear tnat you
are somewhat responsible for Hutchin-
sons mistake. You will see by refer
ence to the 36th page Of the Constitu-
ton published by your firm that the
I'd section reads thusly: THE Legisla.
ture shall levy an annual capitatlon
tax Of one dollar upon each inhabitant
OF the State who has attained the age
OF twenty-one years" which, if it ls
published correctly, would make the
women liable for captation tax. The
approved copy Of the Constitution has
the words male inhabitant." / call
your attention to this in order that the
same may be corrected, and thereby put
an end to all further cavil on the sub
ject. 1t might not be amiss to name
the fact in your editorial column, be
cause l do assure you capital is being
made out of it. Mr.. Smith
replied to Hutchinson, and in
the course of his remarks he reminded
our friend Hutchinson Of the old ne-
gro's prayer, and hoped he might put
up q like petition. An old negro, after
praying for nearly everything he could
think Of supplicated the Lord to
deliver him from bed bugs and feas,
and finally, Lord, hear your devout
servant in this his last request-do
Lord; save me from being d-n
fool - The point was seen by our
friend, and he vamoosed. Mr.. Smith,
in conclusion, compared the expenses
under the old aud new Constitutions,
showing by a simple, plain aud fair
calculation that the people would save
several thousand dollars by the adop-
ton of the new Constitution The
speech throughout was 80 characterized
for truthtuluess and honesty that IT
commanded not only the attention OF
the friends of the Constitution, but also
it's enemies, and several went away de-
termined to vote for it who were before
opposed to it.
Our farmers are hard at work in their
harvest. They intend to adopt the
plan, make hay while the sun
shines"
Our people are up and doing, and you
can rest assured that nothing will be
left undone until our labors are COM
pleted, which will not be until the going
down of the sun on the 22d of August,
1872, and we expect confidently, as a
reward for our services in Ritchie, two
hundred true blue majority. Oar little
town of Ellenboro is lively, and things
move along nicely. TRUE BLUE.
ELLESBoRo, August 5, 1872.