The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1876-08-04
ives, virginia Republican, Plat.
~ form. -.,

49, form. |.y.t
r,. RepubIicans Of West Virginia IN
convention assembled, do. adopt the fol-
lowing .-.....-ys@ Il
and ask for it the candid and careful con
siIera,iou Of the people OF the State We
arrpign the Democracy Of tbi4 State on
the following charges!
Nearly six years ago that party came
into power, under the most solemn pledges
10 economic and reform. 1t has not re.
deemed n 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.
ltimposed upon the people a Constitp;
ton unwise in its provisions and inlmicaI
10 our beat interests, and which has al'
ready cost us half million OF dollars,
which, by It's incongruities and vagucness
OF language, has been constant source d
conflict between the legislative, executive
and judicial departments oil the govern
ment, thereby neCessitating the expendi'
ture Of large sumsof money as fees to law,
yers, 10 ascertain The separate powers Of
each. '''''
IL has given Us n mass OF legislative
iargon, uniutelligable 10 judges, lawyers
and litigants, and endless litigation asthe
result. 49,.
Il has changed tho road law 30 as to
make il oppressive, in consequence OF its
unjust determinations, and in the appli-
cation OF its provisions to ,befog lawyers
and road surveyors alike.
In the establishment Of the anti.
quated county court, it has rendered our
judiciary system costly, cumbersome and
Oppressive. II has extorted large sums
Of money from the people and spent the
same in The construction Of a penitentiary
unnecessarily large, that It might ill i
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 t9ih Of our mechanics and
laborers, thus reducing the already di!
minished wages Of this class OF our citi-
zens, and swelling, the profits Of contrac'
tors and jobbcrs. y
1t has 10 tempered with the school law
AZ to make it 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.
It has given us homestead exemption
law, which, in its enforcement, permits
the landlord 10 strip M unfortunate ten
ant Of the last piece Of household furni-
ture, and even 10 rob him OF the scanty
clothing which covers Ills famishing
children.
It 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. ... ..H.. I...
It has destroyed local self.goyernment,
concentrated power in the hands OF
cliques ut tho court houses, and has so
arranged for the collection and disburse.
ment Of county moneys MS TO greatly ID.
convenience the holders Of GLAZING, and TO
foster at the county seats claS 81 money
changers, shavers and sharpers.
1t has with wasteful extravaganza APP
propriated money for bogus railroads,
boom companies, and the like, with nnn-
sual privileges, for the exclusive benefit
Of bankrupt corporations.
We therefore demand such amendments
10 the Constitution a. will relieve il
from odimm, incongruitics, and absurdi-
ties.
The occasion which once existed for test
oatlls having passed away, we declare our
selves opposed to their restoration, not
withstanding the charges OF onr oppo;
nents to the contrary.
The general depression Of values and
industries being such as TO make the
present rate OF State taxation burden
some, we pledge Ourselves TO a reduction
Of the amount OF taxation for general
State purposes. L.
We demand the abolition Of the county
court; the restoration OF townships and
local self,government the exclusion OF
everything Of a sectariOn 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
vigorous punishment Of all public men
guilty Of fraud, POPULATION, or official mis-
conduct.
We demand the enactment Of \ just
homestead law. E..S etxi
We endorse the principles Of the plat
form Of the National Republican Con-
yention; and We pledge to its nominees
our cordial and undivided support, recOg.
nizing 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 hnd not the
manipulators OF political lntrigue,Oi real
reformers, and not pretendersi statesmen,
not politicians. ,.
Re,Oirrd, That We welcome the coop:
GRAFTON Of all men, Of all parties who vii!
unite with us in relieving the people OF
this state from existing eYils, cRnd in the
establishment Of good government,
TnE stockholders Of The Bsllaire & S.