The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1872-10-21
aOvhRN0R JACOBS OPINION

GOVkRNOR JACOBS OPINION
The tslegfaph'c correspondence be-
tween Mr.. z J. Stone of this city and
Governor JACOB, is interesting and i'm
portant. Mr.. STONE telegraphed to the
Governor to know whether the 9th OF
October is the proper day for the cleo
ton Of members OF Congress and re-
ceived in reply "ss opinion as IS an
opinion :" one that JACK BUNsBY might
have epyied. The Governor is careful
% answer neither OF the inquiries that
Mr. SrosE proposed, but deemed it i'm
portant that the questioner should be
informed by tele srsph that Ordinary
sIeStious are held and conducted BY the
officers Of elections exclusively" For
.his valuable Information the Supervis-
srs of Ohio county. cannot be too CRATE
full, aud the people will be very happy
10 learn 'tbat,ths Governor intends to
hear parties interested and consult with
som leading lawyers AS 10 the case
of BuxsBr's oracular uttersnces, the
force of the Governors observation"
"lies in the application on it" Having
Just passed through a political cam
paieu ia which he had no opinion about
anything except himself. and could not
tell. whether he was in favor OF the new
Constitution or the old, aud was never
able TO ascertain whether he was an adj.
mirer Of eKsEIEY, or GRANT, or o CoNoR,
the Governor has not yet ventared, to
sSjet the la1ory Of a decided opinion
upon any subject and, from mere force
Of habit, gives the Supervisors an eva
sive answer. Had he replied to Mr..
SroNs's telegram by asking "Waa your
grand nother q mpnkey2' his answer
would have been just as pertinent to
the question and would have conveyed
as much Of the information sought for
as did the telegram he sent.
Having tailed in their effort to OBJ
tain advice upon the subject, the Super
yisors have concluded, as thew should
have done 10 the first instance, to act
for themselves aud pursue what is
manifestly the safest course. We have
No fault to find with Mr. Stone for his
belief that "a second election" is to be
held On the 24th; he is at perfect lib
erty TO think that members Of Congress
were elected on the I'D OF August or
thst they should have been elected on
the second Tuesday OF October, or that
they, canuot be legally elected at all
until come. further lie !islation upon the
subject is had. 1t matters not to us VIII at
hisiudividual-opiuion in relation to the
matter may be, but there is a isrse
body OF voters in this county, who be-
lieve that the fourth Thursday in Octo
ber,is the time Fixed by law for the
election of representatives in the Con-
gress OF, the United States, and We in
siSt that these men shall have an OPP
portdnity q voting for the man of their
choice on that day. The personal
views OF no officer should be permitted
to interfere with the discharge OF his
official duty; those who differ with him
in opinion have rights which he is
bound to respect. We are glad,
therefore, that Mr. STONE and
the other members OF the Board
of Supervisors who, lass week,
voted agsi. st holding an election next
Thursday, have areconsidered their de-
termination and, while yielding nothing
Of .heir.owu opinion, have concluded to
give to their, fellow citizens who differ
With them u belief an opportunity Of
voting in accordance with their convic-
tieusof right The election Tor men,
bers Of Congress will be regularly held
on the 2tth inst, the fourth Thursday
in Octo Der, and if any person cares to
claim hereafter that it has been without
authority OF law, there is a tribunal
before which he may be heard. Il
will probably be wise for the contest
ants to consult some leading lawyers"
before encountering much expense in
III. oooo