The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1876-09-26
West virginia Republican Plat.

NuS0A AA@bA1AA@ssAA = Asss
fOrnls ,,,. ,.t-,fl
The Republicans Of West Virginia in
convention assembled, do adopt the fol-
lowing .,e
and ask for it the candid and careful con
sideration Of the people Of the State. We
arraign the Democracy ofthis State on
the following charges: i, a. -4s
Nearly six years ago that party came
into power, under the most solemn pledges
to economic and reform. II has not re-
deemed single promise then made, but,
on the contrary, has increased the taxes,
multiplied the number Of paid officials,
raised salaries and wasted the substance
Of the people. -
ItimpoSed upon the people Constitu.
ton unwise in It's provisions and inimical
to our best interests, and which has al.
ready cost us half million Of dollars,
which, by its incongruities and yagueness
OF language, has been constant source Of
conflict between the legislative, executive
and judicial departments Of the govern
ment, thereby necessitating the expendi-
ture Of large sums Of money as fees to law
yers, to ascertain the separate powers OF
each. y"
1t has given us a mass Of legislative
jargon, unintelligable to judges, lawyers
and litigants, and endless litigation as the
result. t
It has changed the road law so as 10
make IL oppressive, in consequence OF its
unjust determinations, and In the applf-
cation Of It's provisions to befog lawyers
and road surveyors alike.
In the re.establishment OF the anti.
quated county court, II has rendered our
judiciary system costly, cumbersome and
oppressive. It has extorted large sums
Of money from the people and spent the
same in the construction OF q penitentiary
unnecessarily large, that it might fll 1t
with, importations, Of conyicts found
guilty by the federal courts in other
States, whose compulsory and cheap labor
should be brought into competition with
the honest toll OF our mechanics and
laborers, thus reducing the already di-
minished wages OF this class of our citi-
zens, and swelling the profits ofcontrac-
tors and jobbers.
1t has 30 tampered with the school law
as to make 1t contradictory, complicated
and confused, and has converted the
schools themselves into mere shuttle
cock for contending local factions, and
has enabled shylocks to speculate on the
wages Of teachers by. the unwarranted
Withholding Of their payment. f4t#
It has given us homestead exemption
law, which, in its enforcement, permits
the landlord to strip an unfortunate ten
ant Of the, last piece Of household furni-
ture, and even to rob him Of the scanty
clothing which covers his fanlishing
children.
II has covered up the frauds and pecu-
lations OF public officials; has defended
their preparations; rewarded them with
tokens Of favor, and sheltered them from
the Legitimate consequences Of their
crimes. .. ...,....-
1t has, by discriminating legislation
and heavy taxes, driven many of our best
citizens 10 seek new homes in the far
West, III l.H-
II has destroyed local self.goyernment,
concentrated power in the hands OF
cliQues at the court houses, and has so
arranged for the collection and disburse-
ment OF county moneys as to greatly in-
convenience the holders OF claims, and to
foster at the county seats class OF money
changers, shavers and sharpers.
1t has with wasteful extravaganza ap-
propriated money for bogus railroads,
boom companies, and the like, with unu-
sual privileges, for the exclusive benefit
OF bankrupt corporations. q jl5'ss
We therefore demand such amendments
10 the Constitution as will relieve it
from odinm, incongruities, and -absurdi-
ties. - I q ~
The occasion which once existed for test
oalhs having passed away, we declare our
selves opposed to their restoration, not
withstanding the charges OF our oppo-
nents TO the contrary - 80
The general depression OF values and
industries being such as 10 make the
present rate OF State taxation burden
some, we pledge Ourselves to a reduction
OF the amount Of taxation for general
A1Nhtc pdA pOsCu'
We demand the abolition Of the county
court; the restoration OF townships and
local self.goyernment; the exclusion Of
everything Of sectarian or partisan
character from our schools.
We demand the selection, TO- places OF
public positions, OF men who are capable,
honest, and sober, and the prompt and
yigorous,pmishment Of all public men
guilty of fraud, peculation, or official mis-
conduct. st
We demand the enactment Of just
homestead law. = "t- h ~
We endorse the principles OF the plat
form Of the National Republican Con-
vention, and we pledge 10 its nominees
our cordial and undivided support, recog.
mixing in the selection Of Hayes and
Wheeler an endorsement Of the record OF
patriotism, integrity, and true worth,
which has been written on every page OF
their history. In their nomination as
candidates for the position Of President
and Vice President, we see the exaltation
OF real merit and accord to them the
character OF devoted patriots, and not
the writer's OF peace resolutions; the
friends OF honest labor, and not the
manipulators Of political IntrigueA of real
reformers, and not pretenders; statesmen,
dot politicians.
Rsotred, That We welcome the coop.
GRAFTON OF all men OF all parties who will
unite with us in relieving the people OF
&ks, .katn f,aSa awfak,nn. aItla aaI IN tho