South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1875-04-30
Our Next Governor.
From he Moor.asla Advertiser. Apr.l ,.

From The NoorsSsia Advertiser. April %.
Editor fdrer'iscr ~. may be prema-
turc 70 speak of the succession when the
present incumbent will not Sacate his
place IS Governor until March, 1871
The statement. however. ofcertain opin-
ions which, il is believed. have good
Foundation. and the setting forth of GER
tain facts and principles may not be out
of place even nov.
The legal profession SEEM 10 have
monopoly Of Office. Grant 10 the only
conspicuous exception that occurs to the
writer. he was tolerably fair WACO
ner; could drive team through gate
IF he hadn't ..too much on :" knew
something of the ancient art obtaining
understood. perhaps. how '.to set
squadron in the fields" bat was wholly
innocent OF Kent or Greenleaf or Black
stone. This latter ia not spoken to his
discredit.
As rule. farmers and merchants and
business men have to step aside. They
pay the taxes and are the backbone of
the country but the spruce lawyer with
his expensive white vest and unlimited
shirt bosom and gold studs and uney-
ceptionable ''getup'. steps to the front
and announces that he is the man The
Governor-a lawyer-must have an "Ad-
jutant' (save the mark who is nearly al
ways q lawyer, and even an Attorney
General to throw light upon Cons,it,.-
tioR@ and other questions. The former
is, perhaps, al honorable appendage
the latter makes darkness visible" aud
carhs his pay. The people hate been
educated TO the notion that mono but
lawyers are fit 20 govern or hold office
The writer submits-aud he believes the
people will stand by him4-that it Is time
this notion was exploded. Monopoly
is always an abuse. 1t never had reason
in its favor. Monopolies were once sold
in England; and brought large revenues
to the Grown. Here it is a monopoly OF
prescription the price is an unknown
quantity. Is =.
Now, looking at the truth of things,
it becomes apparent that Government
does not consist of legal technicalities.
1t can exist, with large benefit TO the
governed, altogether apart from them.
The true function of all government is
to give the people an opportunity to
work to advantage. The thing wanted
is not the smartness and adroitness of
the '.jury.lawyer :" but broad and con-
preheusivc and honest administration.
To see the right thing and do it is the
perfection Of government. A will like
that of Jackson, brushing a side legal
bubbles IS cob-webs will live in the
memory and heart of the people through
many generations. -,
No reproach is here intended to bc
cast upon the legal profession. The
fact is simply adverted TO that lawyers
have had monopoly Of office; and that
the people, with deep conviction, desire
n change. Everybody knows that il. is
almost impossible to get good plain
man in place. Politicians are generous
enough to ,relieve the people ofthc 'trou-
bic Of thinking, and magnanimously pro-
pose to do it all for them. 1t is time
the fact was known that West Va, is
not owned By Corporation. All that
is past and better day has come. 4.
With becoming modesty, and yet with
profound conviction, the writer names
THOMAS MAsLIN "a our next Governor.
It is widely felt that he is the coming
man. Pat him at the head of affairs and
a dignity will come to West Va, which
she has never yet seen. If unblemished
character, stainless integrity, business
capacity, broad and comprehensive
craftsmanship, and patriotism that
risIed all, that the South might win. con-
stitute claim to the high Office of Gov
ernor, then THOMAS MAsLIN owns that
claim.
1t is perhaps premature to name
successor; but it is done that thinking
men may reflect. Moreover, the writer
is not without faith that this early an
ticipation OF his will be realized.
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