The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1872-01-22
GheGttttligenfer.
TIE CAPITAL.
Opening of Legislature and ConVen-
tion..First Days Proceedings


The members ofthc Convention Assem-,
hled at the Capital In the Court room oil
the Court OF Appeals, at IL o'clock ycstcr'
day, for organization.
Mr. Wilson stepped to the platform and
spoke as follows:
"GENTLEMEN-Haying assembled here
to-day as delegates to a constitutional
Convention, as required by law To consid.
or, discuss and prepare new Constlt1'
ton, or amendments to the existing Con
slitution, An organization becomes neces'
sary, Al the instance Of many delegates
from different parts Of the State, / rise Ia
call this Convention 10 order, and with the
view Of an organization / nominate the
lion. Charles j. Faulkner, OF the county
Of Berkeley, MS temporary President"
Mr.. Faulkner, who was conducted Il
his sea: by Mcssrs. Wheat, Traverse and
Fitzhugh, in appropriate remarks &c.
knowlcdgGd the honor conferred upon
hihi.
MR.. FAULKNRR's SPEECH.
Although my occupation Of this posi-
ton Is only temporary and merely prelimi
nary TO our permanent organization, yet
having been unanimously elected, II seems
proper and has been suggested that il
would be expected of me 70 make some re.
marks upon this occasion.
ut Is our privilege that We meet as the
first full and perfect representation Of the
people OF West Virginia in our history,
It's now nine years since the people
whom wo represent in this assembly nc.
Quired the right 10 free, equal, and SOY.
ereign position among the sisterhood Of
States. Our existence as q State Is coeval
with national events Of immense impor.
lance. Having our birth in the late civil
war, the close Of that remarkable struggle
gave permanency TO our State govern.
ment. Whatever doubts may have ex.
isted in regard TO the regularity Of our
admission To our sister States, there can
be no question now that West Virginia
stands, both at home and abroad, as an
equal sovereign member OF the Contedera.
ton OF Republics, which commands the
respect of the entire civilized and barba.
rOus world.
"ln territory and population neither
the largest nor the smallest we are blest
with advantages which may excite our
heartfelt thanks with temperate latitude
invigorating air and a. territorial surface
diversified by hills and wales, with album,
dand water power and forests that bear
the accumulated wealth of centuries; a
population, brave, enterprising and un.
corrupted. .....
ID,
"Our mineral treasures are unsurpassed
either in quality or quantity in the whole
country and our connecting link between
the North and South must compel the
construction, without expense to us,
through our borders, Of the means for
transportation, to utilize our virgin
wealth. Advantages great even as these
are, may be frustrated unless backed by a
good and equitable government, and 10
that end. by the preparation OF suitable
constitution, let us do our duty by the en-.
lightened and discriminating constituen,
Cy, whom we represent.
1--WE are not here 10 pass upon any
temporary measure OF public or practical
policy but 10 lay deep and place upon a
firm basis the rights Ofthe whole cOmmu.
nifty.
And now when you have organized BY
selecting good and efficient officers, and
shall have discharged the duties inCum.
bent upon you when you have secured all
the equal rights due TO every citizen OF
the United States, when you have placed
upon Il firm basis our credit and provided
just and equitable laws Tor our future
government, then we may all expect thai
peace and COntentment will come upon
our country, and from what have seen
OF your practical good sense, intelligence
and ability, am certain you will dis
charge all your duties faithfully.
"l4et us choose for President ono who
throughout all this country may be
known by his integrity and worth, and
il you will permit one who has had moi
lnC0nsidcrable experience in Legislative
bodies, let me advise you not 10 waste
time in vapi1 debate, for your cOnsistitu
cncy expect the work to be done, and wei
done.
Thanking you for your kind attention
We will now proceed to organize"
On motion Of Mr.. ComstOck, Mcssrs
John Bazzell, of Harrison, and w. w.
Miller, of Ohio county, were appointed
temporary Clerks OF the Convention.
After tho calling OF the roll by the
secretary, reports were read from the
committee appointed by his Excellency
the Governor, stating that the NJ. f.
church had been received for the purpose
Also, from his Honor, the Mayor, stating
that all expenses, such rs rent, gas, &c
will be betrayed by the city. Acknowl
edgment OF the same by tho Governor. ..
On motion Of +. Knight, Esq the re
ports were laid on the table.
Tho Hon. Okey johnson, with few
appropriate remarks, nominated Hon
Samuel Price, Of Greenbrier, for President
of the Convention.
MIR. Armstrong seconded the motion.
The Hon. w. +, Wiley put in nomina
ton W. G. Brown. WIZ ss.F.g.
Lieut.. Gov. Price was elected upon the
first ballot-Price 65, Brown 10.
Mr.. Price was conducted to his seat by
the Hon. Okey Johnson, Hon. Benjamin
Wilson and Hon. W. G. Brown.
Upon taking his seat, the President
thanked the Convention for their kindness
IN selecting him for so distinguished an
honor, and pledged himself 10 devote his
best interests TO the duties Of his position
Messrs, II, NJ. Johnes and G. J. Butcher
were nominated for Secretaries of the
Convention, and the latter was elected
upon the first ballot Butcher G5, Johnes
The following resolution was intro
dnced by Alr. Filzhugh, Of Kanawha:
RESolred, That when this Convention
aljourns, it meets at the NJ. e, church TO-
morrow at la O'clock, noon.
An amendment 10, strike out 'l9n and
insert "l1Ewas accepted, and the resoin.
ton, as amended, passed.
SENATE.
Met at II o'clock A. NJ IRE
Prayer by the Rev. Mr.. HardwiCk.
The Senate was called to order, by L
W: s. Moore, Clerk Of the last Senate.
The roll was then called and tho man