The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1873-04-15
From the KanSWha ChroniclC)
A Fair View of the Situation.
by A CAMDEN DEMOCRAT.

MIR, EDlroM At the present alarming
crisis in the affairs OF our State, oil good
citizens must be congratulated upon the
establishment OF a public journal govern.
cd by an attachment to sound principles,
rather than by blind devotion 10 party
leaders. Political parties are the best and
safest means OF administering republican
government, but when u corrupt and
reckless faction seeks TO control party
and use it for personal ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
when free discussion and lair argument
are no longer used as means oEsecuring
political support, when voters are whip
ped into the party traces and dragooned,
by threats Of political communication
into submission TO the dictates OF ring
then private citizens, who have no ambi-
lion 10 crafty, and no selfish interests ia
ADVANCE by their political action, anC
whose votes are determined by sincere
regard for the welfare ofthc whole peo-
pie, ought seriously to consider whether
strict adherence TO party is consistent
with their duty to the State. The recenl
proceedings OF our Legislature have led
inc TO reflect upon this question, and an
reluctantly forced TO the conclusion that
the partiz4n domination attempted BY the
men who claim TO represent the Demo
cratic party is revolutionary and dcstruC.
tive, and ought to be vigorously resisted
BY every voter who desires 10 SEQ ouI
State government efficiently and econom
icaly administered upon sound Demo
cratic principles.
And here permit me 10 remark that
am Democrat by inheritance and con-
viCliOn, and have never cast any othel
than u Democratic vote. During the wal
was actively opposed TO the radical pol
Icy Of the Federal Government, and mar
r0wly escaped imprisonment by so doing
supported and voted for the Flick
Amendment. Atthe last August election
although much disturbed by the charges
made by Governor Jacobs friends against
tue Camden ring, believed those Charg-
Is 10 he i'll founded, and therefore voted
tue straight Democratic ticket, Camden
included. l never held or sought any
political Office, and have no political anu
bilon; but rs private citizen, u tax.pay
or aud q voter, claim, and intend TO ex.
ercisc the right freely 10 express and
maintain any opinion Of public measures
and public men, and do not hesitate
10 say that the course Of the present Leg,
stature has opened my eyes, and made
me believe that there were Democrat
enough last August with clearer insigh
than myself into the politics Of the Stat
to avert the calamity Of SurrondGring to-
branches Of government, instead OF one
into the hands OF men who are guided, II
tho discharge Of their public duties, b!
no better motives than the iurtheranCe O
their private interests, the promotion Q
their personal ambition and the indul'
gence Of their parti2an malice.
The entire Legislation Of tho prcsen
session Is marked by fragrant violation
OF every sound Democratic principle
The promises Of retrenchment and econ
Omy, so freely made just before the las
election, have been redeemed by the thief
Of ten thousand dollars from the publ
treasury, under q pretence Of a per den
allowance TO members during the Christ
mas recess. This kind Of stealing was
standing ground Of complaint against th
Radical party, and Is now, iorsOoth, eX
cuSUd upon the pAltry plea that 9TH
Radicals voted for it," Strange excuse
But although this obnoxious measure wa
forced through by the Radicals, no mem
Der can he compelled to participate 10 tn
robbery by receiving his share OF III
plumber. Every honest Democrat, VIII
disapproves Of the peculOtion, will reins
to take the per diem allowance which h
didn'i earn. How many such will b
found? Don't all speak ut once, gentle
men, but let Us hear from you, one b
one. You have now an opportunity
make record which the taxpayers
the State will be careful to remember.
The Holiday steal is noticed merel
as one illustration among many, Of the u
Ter contempt for economy exhibited b
those gentlemen, who claim monOpol
olall the intelligence and virtue of tn
democratic party. They seem determiI
cd that nothing shall check their design
upon the treasury. When 1t Is T4sre
that the financial Interests OF the State al
not quite safe in the hands OF the tiusuC
Committee Of the House Of Delegates,