Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1876-08-05


ion at Parkersburg:
The Republicans Of West Vir-
kinia in convention assembled, do
dept the following
PLATFORM OF PRINCIPLES
md ask for it the candid and care
ul consideration of the people OF
he State. We arraign the DEM
cracy of this State on the follow
ng charges:
Nearly six years ago that party
anne into power, under the most
Dlemn pledges TO economize and
eform. 1t has not redeemed a
[ngle promise then made, but, on
be contrary, has increased the
axes, multiplied the number of
aid officials, raised salaries and
tasted the substance of the people.
X imposed upon the people a
Constitution unwise in its provis-
pms and inimical to our best inter-
SITS, and which has already cost
$ half a million of dollars, which,
y its incongruities and vagueness
f language, has been a constant
burce of conflict between the Leg
Blative, executive and judicial de-
artments of government, thereby
ecessitating the expenditure OF
Rrge sums of money as fees to law
ers, to ascertain the separate pow
RS of each.
1t has given us a mass of legis-
alive jargon, unintelligable to
uhges, lawyers and litigants, and
ndless litigation as the result.
1t has changed the road law so
5 to make it oppressive, in con-
equence of its unjust discrimina-
iohs, and in the application of
f its provisions to befog lawyers
nd road surveyors alike.
In the re-establishment Of the
ntiquated county court, it has
endered our Judiciary system
ostly, cumbersome and oppres-
i've 1t has extorted large sums
money from the people and
pent the same in the construction
t a penitentiary unnecessarily
srge, that it might fill it with i'm
ortations of convicts found guilty
y thefederal courts in other States
hose compulsory and cheap labor
lould be brought into COMPETE
on with the honest toll of our
echanics and lahorers, thus re-
icing the already diminished
ages of this class of our citizens,
ld swelling the profits of contrac-
hrs and jobbers.
1t has so tempered with the
Fhool law to make it contradicto-
:, complicated and confused, and
Is converted the schools them
lives into a me.e shuttle-cock for
b~ntendiag local factions, and has
labled shylocks to speculate on
ages of teachers by the unWar-
snied withholding of their pay
tent.
It has given us q homestead eX-
mptlonlaw, which, in its enforce
tent, permits the landlord to strip
h unfortunate tenant of the last
iece of household furniture,
nd even rob him Of the scanty
othing which cover his famish-
bg children.
It has covered up the frauds and
EQUATIONS of public OFFICIALLY; has
blended their Preparations; re-
Farded them with tokens of favor,
hid sheltered them from the legit-
mate consequences of their crimes.
1t has, by discriminating legis-
alton and heavy taxes, driven
many of our best citizens to seek
ew homes in the far west.
1t has destroyed local self-gov-
rnment, concentrated power in
he hands of cliques at the court
louses, and has so arranged for
he collection and disbursement of
ounty moneys as to greatly in
Convenience the holders of claims,
nd to foster at the county seats a
lass of money changers, shavers
nd sharpers.
1t has with wasteful eXtrava-
kance appropriated money for bo-
JUS railroads, boom companies,
md the like, with unusual privi-
eyes, for the exclusive benefit of
bankrupt corporations.
We therefore demand such
amendments to the Constitution
rs will relieve it from odium, in
bongruities, and a~bsurdities.
The occasion which once existed
or test oaths having passed away,
We declare ourselves opposed to
heir restoration, Notwithstanding
the charges of our opponents ito
lie contrary.
The general depression of values
and Industries being such as to
make the present rate of State tax
alton burdensome, we pledge our
selves to a reduction of the amount
bf taxation for general State pur-