The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1873-03-06
WEST vrReIrIA LEalsL .TUsE.

ton, which was unanimously adopted
Resolved, That . special committee
consisting OF Ave. be appointed 10 inquire
what action should be taken by the
Legislature to secure to the State Of
West Virginia its representation in the
House of Representatives of the 43d
Congress of the United States on tie
4th day OF the present month. when III
term commences, and that Committee
report by bill or otherwise.
As the subject proposed to be treated
in this resolution 10 one which concerns
every citizen in the State, and one over
which there has been bitter and wide
spread contention, we give substa ntisl-
ly the Introductory remarks Of Judge
| Camden.
Mr.. PRRsIDENr Although our SEES
sion to-day has been protracted one,
and Senators no doubt are wearled and
need refreshment, the Importance
OF the subject embraced by this
resolution prompts me to ask the
kind indulgence OF the Senate. which
has been so frequently extended to me.
10 make lew remarks at this time.
In g few day, the term OF the forty
third Congress of the United States will
commence and il representation in the
House OF Representatives to which this
State is entitled, stands where the Ex-
ecutive has left it, we shall be without
re presentation. There will be no one
to speak or represent the voice OF our
people 1t is not only important to the
State itself, but to the nation, that
there should be full representation in
both Houses OF Congress The three
votes of West Virginia may not ord'na-
rily be regarded as OF very great impor:
lance, but emergencies may arise In
which they would have q controlling
effect; they might arrest great evil or
be the means OF promoting great good
to the country. Ours has become 8
mighty nation, enjoying a prosperity
and liberal government possessed by
no other people on earth; and 1t is nat-
ural that other nations not enjoying
the prosperity that We do, and having
antagoulstic forms OF government 70
our-'st ould watch US with jealousy, and
| if the occasion presented, combine to
impede us in our rapid march to great
ness. 1t should be recollected that
Congress alone has the power to declare
war, aud although at this time at peace
with the world; but, from the unsettled
copdit ton OF the nations OF the earth,
and the collisions that must evestually
ensue, our own nation may not escape
being involved at almost any moment
1t therefore, becomes US to see that eve
~ department of the government 10 In
perfec, condition, and that nothing ID
wanting to give it its full efficiency
The TACT that sovereign State il unrep
resented in one o. the branches OF the
Congress of the United States. might
greatly impair its power and efficiency
is OF no ordinary concern. Besides, the
people of a sovereign State have always
interests of the greatest Importance a.
Washington and should at all times
have q gents there to attend to them
The Executive Department OF the
State has exhausted its efforts
and powers to secure III
represe q tstion, and has failed, and the
question lie presented whether the Lee
glslative Department oil the State, re.
presenting It's sovereign power. shall
supiuely fold it's arms and remain quiet
or will it, iu the discharge OF its high
duties to the people OF tbs State, take
action and devise means by which this
great interest will be secured. The
Constitution of the United States, ar
ticle / section 4, enjoins upon the LIE
gislstures OF the States to provide Tor
securing to each Stats its due share OIL
represen tation in the Congress OF the
United States; and Congress has no.
exercised it's power, as it has right TO
do, to modify the action Of the State
Legislatures 80 that the Legislature Of
this State has the whole subject under
sts control. In the exercise OF that
power it provided by law for the hold
ing of elections in each OF the three
congressional districts Of this State.
The elections were held on the 4th
Thursday OF October last, and represen
tstiyes were chosen, the result OF these
elections duly certified to the Executive,
and. because another election had been
held without authority Of law. he has
declined 10 give the persons chosen the
certificates required by the 18th SECTION
OF chapter VII of the Code, not because
the elections in October were irregular
" or inn properly held.-Witbout these
certificates, the members duly elected
according to law will not b permitted
to take their seats, and the State will be
unrepresented for . considerable Por-
ton OF the time of the next Congress-
Our members elect, without these Ger"
tificstes will have to encounter q con'
test Tor their sests, s. veil as the
trouble and difficulties incident to such
strife
I do not wish to impngn the motives
OF the Executive, nor do / desire any
conflict between that department OF the
government and the Legislative. 1t is
proper that each should act within its
own Legitimate sphere, and that nothing
be done to disturb the comfy that
should exist between the two. In this
matter the Executive has been made
the agent Of the Legislative department
to count the votes, at an election held
for members of Congress. and to give
to the persons elected, certificates 70
enable them to take their seats, which
duty might have lawfully been conferred
upon any other tunctionsry. Instfec-
tusl in this case, it becomes the duty Of
the principal power-to take promp,
and efficient measures to remedy the
evil resulting from such failure. This
dnty, hope, will be promptly and ETH.