The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-06-03
THE STATE CONVENTION.

The Democratic State Convention,
which meets in Charleston on the 9Th,
has one plain duty to perform: To select
State ticket composed of men of un-
blemished character, OF sterling honesty
of ability and experience; and to send a.
delegates to the National Convention,
men who have no axes to grind, and
whose devotion IN pure government will
outweigh all personal considerations
II it fail to do this, it were
better that it had never met. If
it fail in this, it will strike blow at the
sscendency of the Democracy Of West
Virginia which will prove fatal to it
This Convention is in many respects the
most important one that has been held IN
the State since its foundation, and upon
lis action will depend the future of the
party. During the last three or four
wears demand has been coming up from
all the country for new and better state
of things. The people have been yearn-
log for higher and better standard OF
qualification in its public servants; a
purer and better political morality;
AN emancipation from the rule of rings
and cllques. There has been revolt
against what is known as machine poll
tics. and the revolution is not going back
ward. 1t is stronger to-day than it was
one, two, three or four years ago, and it
will be stronger six months hence than
it is to-day. The party or faction winch
attempts to defeat it will certainly and
deservedly be defeated.
The feeling in favor of regeneration
of our politics is not confined to either
party, and it is not mere sentiment with
the people. 1t is living. earnest idea
which the events of every day
are helping 10 strengthen. and which
will become all powerful in
the next campaign. 1t Is the logical
growth of the time. The revelations of
the wickedness and corruption of Tam
many Hall, in New York, some years
ago, sent thrill OF indignation through
the whole country, and caused the think
ing, intelligent voter and taxpayer TO
turn aside for time at least and examine
into the political management of his
own town, county and State. Party ties
were loosened; the caucus lost the com.
manding influence it welded; the indie
pendent voter and the Independent
newspaper vas born. The exposures al
Washington in the Credit Mobilier
infamy nstionslized the feeling
When the Vice. President Of the United
States, with his cloak of religion drawn
closely around him, and half dozen
Senators and Representatives-"Chris
tan Statesmen" all-fell, covered with
fraud and bribery and corruption, the
political "machine" received another
shock; the people began to loose faith in
caucuses and combinations.
From the highest Office in their gif,
down to the lowest the people mean to
know all about the candidate who seeks
it before they give it TO him. Witness
the searching Investigations now going
on as 10 the lives Of all the Leading can
didales tor the Presidedcy-cach party
Is demanding absolute purity in its
standard bearer.
The reform that is being worked out
IN our politics goes down to bottom rock.
The people are in earnest in the whole
business and 10 attempt to deceive them
is the most foolish of foolish things.
The day for all that has gone BY. In
this centennial year West Virginia de-
mand. that her best citizens BE- put to the
front for every Office, whether Of honor
or reward. And it viii be done. If the
Democratic party shall fail to place in
The lead such men. the people will take
he matter into their own hands.