The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1874-04-25
The County Courts.
Editors of the Register.

EultOrs ol tut ncSHicr'
YOnr editorial in the WEEKLY REG.
IsrER OF the 10Th Of April, 1914, is very
plausible and good reply to the howl
ing Republicans, still it is not fair ar
gument. 1t is well known that many
Democrats as well as Republicans voted
against the new Constitution princi-
pally because Of the County Court and
homestead provisions in it, aud trial
of the County Courts has not made
them any more acceptable to the peo-
pie. Then you say, why do the peo-
pie not change them under the provi'
sion OF the Constitution p This is the
reason. There are but two terms Of
the Circuit Court year. and the juris'
diction of these courts is limited to
matters of controversy which exceed
fifty dollars in amount, and they have
no jurisdiction OF appeals from Judg'
ments OF Justices of the peace. There
fore to facilitate the transaction OF le-
gal business another court would be re-
quired with q judge learned in the law,
and another tribunal 10 attend to the
police and fiscal affairs OF the county
This is entirely too expensive q system
Tor large majority Of the counties Of
our Stale. The people only have a
choice between evils, and they take the
County Courts rather than bear the
expense OF the only other system that
they can have under the Constitu
ton as it now ip, but
give them the choice between the Cir.
cult Courts with four terms year, and
jurisdiction oil matters amounting to
twenty dollars. and appeals from juag'
meu,s OF jus,ices, aud the jurisdiction
OF the County Courts limited to police
fiscal and probate business, and the
present Judiciary system, and it will be
seen that nearly, il not all, the counties
both Democratic and Republican, will
choose the former
The County Courts as they now exist
are q great improvement on the Super.
visor system for the transaction OF the
internal affairs Of the counties, and
but few persons desire to return to tina
deiunct and expensive system, which
the Republicans gloat over and seek tc
again force on the people.
The leading members OF the Conven
ton that framed our Constitution were
"old time" men, who knew but little o
the preferences OF their constituents
except as they judged of them from
their own standpoint. and consequently
they did net make such Constitution
"a was popular with the people, as th'
vote on it showed. for it ought to bav'
been carried by thirty instead OF three
thousand majority. And even with {
msiority OF those who voted for 1t, tn
new Constitution was not popular. l
was a heavy burden for the Democratic
party 10 bear, under which it we'll nigl
sunk, and it is very doubtful whethe
the party can even now car
lry it. If the party refuses t.
make any changes in it. ther
Ii, reason to believe that the people vii
elect representatives. to the legislator
who will favor amendments. 1t certain
will be better for the Democratic part
| to consult the preference OF the people
and express willingness to alter tn
unpopular provisions OF the constilu
ton, and enact such as are suited I
the wants and preferences ofthe people
to trying to force them to keep the Oh
iecliouabls provisions that are no'
in it. d.
Poors eoyrfy. W, Va.