The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1873-02-21
THE LEGISLATURE

THE LE6ISAhAUnns
It occurs to us that some OF our
Radical contemporaries in West Virgi-
MIA are counting their chickens rather
prematurely, il they expect to hatch
a brood of Republican office-holders
out Of popular dissatisfaction with the
course OF the Legislature. In common
with very many Democrats we have
openly condemned what we could not
approve in the conduct of our own
party friends and the people of the
whole State know that the Democra-
tic press of the State has spoken with
much more independence and impair
TALLY concerning this winters transact
tons at the Capital than the Radical
press ever dared to employ when the
Legislature was filled with the pro-
scriptive crew whose acts OF bigotry
and intolerance made West Virginia a
bv word among the States. There was
NJ crime 80 gross; no outrage upon
popular rights 80 atrocious; that it did
not find ready and unanimous approval
and defense by the Radical press OF the
State, when committed by the Radical
majority in the Legislature. The
whole party thus accepted responsible
tv for the acts ofits representatives, aud
w.s accordingly swept down before the
just indignation of the people.
Now, however, the case is entirely
different. 1t happens that in Legls-
lature in which there a majority OF
Democratic members. has been vast
iny its time in proftless discussion up
on trivial matters, and has passed
some uuwise laws. The Democratic
newspapers all over the State have just
a. boldly and persistently condemned
these things as have their political OPP
ponents, and it is all mere folly now for
R .dicsl scribblers to attempt to hold
the Democratic party in the State res
ponsible for the blunders that are being
CO nmitted in Charleston. Besides this,
tie very measures that are most con-
demned and are most held up tor de-
nunciation are those which have no
political significance whatever, and
have been voted for by men OF both
parties in the Legislature. Radicals
a. well as Democrats voted to charge
IbeStste per diem during the Legisls-
tive recess, and the Radical members OF
the Legislature have done their full
share in wasting time and delaying the
business OF the State.
There is good deal OF popular dis
satisfaction, it is true; but it must be
rene nbered that abuse OF legislative
bodies has grown to be fashionable In
America, the average citizen is not
happy unless he has something about
which to complain; and the good that
is secured by wise legislation is general
" permitted to pass without mention.
while every mistake is magnified. Pop
ular ignorances. OF the provisions OF
the laws already passed has added some,
what to the dissatisfaction which the
present legislature has excited, and has
enabled unscruplous parties to misrep'
resent the merits and exaggerate the
faults of what has been done. These
things will doubtless be taken into con-
sideration by the people and it is prob
able that more care will be exercised in
the selection OF members OF the next
legislature than was bestowed upon the
present one, but that the Radical party
party will be able to manufacture much
capital out OF or reap much benefit from
the follies that have been committed In
Charleston this winter, is not to be very
seriously feared.