The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1874-07-27


made to give place, to men of the people:
choice has given rise to grave and lhstS
complaint. In 1871 the people ordered
a new constitution to be framed, to ttt
end that they might be relieved
of many of the evils that had
cursed the State from its formation
They wanted to do away with and pro.
hibit the enactment of test oaths and the
passage of registration laws; they wanted
to limit the powers of the Executive SC
that it should not be possible for one man
to control all the elections and manage
all our public matters, through powers Of
appointment snch as were exercised I'M
der the registration system. They want
ed to prohibit the creation of a public
debt by the State, and to limit the powers
of municipalities and counties in impos-
ing taxation and heaping debts on the
people; they wanted to prohibit all spe-
cial legislation, and to equalize taxation
ana representation, by enumerating and
taxing negro voters who had heretofore
been exempt from all capitation tax, and
they wanted some redress against the
railroad tariff swindles; that the consti-
tuition has realized these results, think
cannot be doubted. 1t has numbered the
DAYS of prescription; made prOscriptive
laws a thing Of the past; depriv-
ed Governors of the right
TO rule State and local
matters through the exercise of the one
man power of appointment; it has rem
dered State debt impossible; limited all
local debts to five per cent. of the pro-
perty represented by them and only to be
created by the consent of three-ffths OF
the people; it has prohibited all special
legislation and limited the law-making
power to general subjects, and it has fur
Their curbed the legislative branch with II
provision for forty-fve days sessions
every two wears; it has made taxation
equal and uniform, and it has given the
people power through their Legislature,
to control the whole subject of railroad
freights and charges. If with these UNI
deniable and inestimable benefits, the
Constitution of 1872, did not contain
some defects, then it would indeed be a
perfect instrument, which nothing short
of infinite wisdom could create.
THE COUNTY COURTS.
From some newspapers there are lam
entatiOns loud and long over tn" alleged
iniquities Of the County Court system.
Yet in great many counties in the
southern part of the State that system is
efficient and popular; it is regarded as the
peoples court, rs distinguished from the
more stately tribunals where lawyers do
most congregate; the masses like it, and
would not willingly let it die. In other
COMMITTEES, if we are to believe the Rcpub-
lcan newspapers. it is regarded aS an
abomination of iniquity, and any change
would be WELCOMED. Now there is this
fact to be considered, that there is often
rs much trouble in getting good men to
manage local business, ~ there Is in de-
visng II good system to operate under,
and that ignorance and incticicncy will
render obnoxious the best system ever de-
viscd, while Sagacity, prudence and in
tclligcncc will mitigate many of the evils
of the worst. If there be any evil i'll the
County Court plan, beyond what this
would account for, the Constitution pro-
vidcS an ample remedy; it allows the pc"-
pie to select any other system that may
be more acceptable. 1t is singular COM
ment upon all the complaints we have
heard, that in not single Republican
county have there been steps taken to
remedy the wrongs alleged to exist, and
the failure to take such action conprIs
Us to infer either that there is no SINGER
ity in Republican complaints on this
subject, or that in ali the wide range of
Republican wisdom no plan better cnt-
tied t. Republican confidence than this
much abused County Court system has
vet been found or devised. Time and
experience alone can determine what
defects, if any, exist in our organic law,
and in what way they can best be RENE
died. A. our country opens up, as So
cictv progresses, aS new and important
interests arise to need the care and pro
lection of the laws, it is the part of wise
statemcnShip to adapt itself t" the de-
mands of public progress. From what
the Democratic has already done in til"
way of rcdressng public grievances, it g
plain To infer what it will be found
ready to do. in meeting public necessities
rs they shall arise.
WHAT REMEDY.
For every grievance which they profess
to feel, the Republicans have but on"
rcmcdv-thc constitution of Sta balm
for every wound; patent panacra for
every political i'll, equal to porous plaster
for limber-buckcd politicians; linim"nt
for the poll-cvilrd, and vcrunit'uge for the
worm-catcn. Let Us approach this con-
>ttution of 1863 with II becoming and
r"vcrential spirit.
Take 1t up tenderly,
Handle with care.
1t is hallowrd by many precious aSsocia-
tionS, 'monumcntal of perrl' civilian
ton" So to speak. IL very name is Il
magic spell, calling from Slumhrr AL that
was illustrious and memorable, all that
WAS lovely and of good report in the
history Of Republican rule in our State
How its blessings brighten now
that they have taken their flight! How
familiar grow the pictures is they stand
out from the rubbish of the past, liz"
works Of the old masters III some cob,
wcbbcd gallery. The old style rebel,
roasting Legislature of precious memory
with it, WITHDRAWING ianaticiNn, IL
rcd-hot, rahble-rousing oratory, itS codi'
fed hate, it, sturdy independence 81
orthography, syntaX, public d"c"ncy
soap and water, rises majcStcally int
view, dealing daily damnation to copper,
heads and traitors, clad with test "atl
curse as with garment, and sh"d Will
the preparation of the gospel Of "loyaIty
whrrcwith to kick down stairs impcrti,
ncnt impeachcrs of the Lords anontcc
Judiciary. Truly,
"A thing OF beauty is a JOY forever,