The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1875-03-08
THE LEGlsL4TURg.


On Friday. the 18th ult the Logi,.
laturo of this State adjourned, after
the most exciting session of legisla.
tive body, ever held in West Virginia
The peculiar circumstances under
which the Legislature convened
having before it not Ouly the election
Of an United States Senator, but the
settlement Of the yexcd question as to
whether or not Charleston should re.
main the seat Of government, made its
session Of extremO interest even out.
Bido the limits Of the State.
We do not propose to discuss the
merits of the capital question. The
people Of the First aud Second Dis.
tricts, and moro especially their rep.
rcscntatiyes and officers, had spoken
loudly enough upon this subject. 1t
was nOt'iu any sense political ques
ton; but one 10 which all we're alike
interested. After c struggle which
will always be remembered as the
most fercely contested battle ever
fought in Legislature Of this or the
old State, the Jill was passed; and III
less than three months, the city Of
Wheeling will once moro bo the scat
Of government,
The election Of United States Scna-
tor was q matter Of peculiar interest
and dclicucy. The large gains made
by the Democracy in the Senate Of tho
United States, rendered it u matter Of
duty that West Virginia should send
rs our representative in that body, a
man in every way qualified for that
high position; aud it is a matter Of
cODgratulaliOn to tho party in this
State, that we had SO much excellent
material from which to make selec.
ton. Any Of the gentlemen named
for the position. would have rendered
ample satisfaction to tho party through.
out the entire Union. The choice Of
Mr.. CnpCrton was, however, entirely
unexpectOd-nOt only by that gentle,
man, but by everybody, The eight
had been SO warmly contested, aud
had lasted so long, that tho members
wero willing to confer tue honor upon
any good man. who might doyclopc any
strength. When Mr.. Capcrton 70.
cciYed 80 votes, a member who had
previously cast his vote for Mr.. Price,
arose and changed bis vote for Mr..
CaportOn. This was a signnl for n
general change, until "thc lucky man"
had received GS votes, while a only
was necessary toa choice. Amid a
general roar Of enthusiasm tho presi-
ding officer announced that "Allen
Taylor CnpertOn, having received q
majority Of all tho votes cast, was duly
elected Senator in tho Congress Of tho
United States, from the State Of West
Virginia, for the term Of six years,
commencing on the 4th day Of March.
1876"
While Mr.. oapertOn was not our
choice, yet it must DO confessed that
the honor conferred upon him could not
have fallen upon more able or
worthy gentleman. A distinguished
lawyOr.-a man of extended legislative
experience in the Old Statc-a Sena.
tor in the Congress of the Confederate
states-an honorable and heightened
gentleman Of irrcproaohablo private
character--it is conceded by friends
md foes alike that more suitable
man for tho position could not have
been chosen: We thought that
irorEing Democrats-inen who had
battlcd for Democracy since tho close
Of the war, were the proper persons 10
honor but, in the language Of a dis
tinguished friend of oars, We cling to
tho belief that "no dcecnt Democrat
ariR quarrel ,cith Tho ivill Of thc majori-
~" and we acquiOsco with tho most
perfect confidence in the wisdom, pa.
triOlism and integrity of our Senator
elect.
In the matter Of legislation, q great
deal has been done towards coulensing
mud simplifying our laws; many new
and important bills have been passed ;
and the wants Of different localities in
the matter of local Legislation, has
been properly attended to.
Without any unfair criticism upon
previous Legislatures, We may truth
fully say that in the matter Of ability,
this Legislature is far ahead Of any Of
its predecessors. The members went to
Charleston fully impressed with the
magnitude Of The work before them
md they lubored faithfully-night aud
duy-to accomplish their task. That
they have earned, and will receive the
plnudit Of well DONE" from their
constituents, We have no manner oil
doubt.
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