The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1876-07-28

oppressive. II has extorted large SUM
-ot money from the people and spent thl
same In the construction Of 0 penitentiar!
unnecessarily large, that II might gil i
with importation9 Of convicts fount
guilty by the federal courts in othel
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-
zeuS, and swelling the profits Of contrac'
tors and jobbers.
It has so tampered with the school Law
@t 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 tho unwarranted
Withholding Of their payment.
Il has given US a homestead exemption
law, which, In its enforcement, permits
the landlord 10 strip an unfortunate ten.
ant Of the last piece Of household furni-
ture, and even 10 rob him Of the scanty
clothing which covers his famishing
children. ... .l. .-...-
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 to seek new homes in the far
West.
1t has destroyed local self.government,
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.
It has with wasteful extravagance ap-
propriated money for bogus railroads,
boom companies, and the like, with unu-
sual privileges, for the exclusive benefit
Of bankrupt corporations.
We therefore demand such amendments
to the Constitution as will relieve it
from odinm, incongruities, and absurdi-
ties.
/. The occasion which once existed for test
oaths having passed away, we declare our
selves opposed to their restoration, not
withstanding the charges Of our 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 reduction
Of the amount Of taxation for general
State purposes.
We demand the abolition OF the county
court; the restoration Of townships and
local self.government; 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
vigorous punishment Of all public men
guilty Of fraud, peculation, or official mis-
conduct.
We demand the enactment OF Just
homestead law.
We endorse the principles Of the plat
form Of the National Republican Con.
vention, and we pledge 10 is 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 exalta,ion
OF real merit, and accord to them the
character Of devoted patriots, apd not
the writer's Of peace resolutions; the
friends Of honest labor, and not the
manipulators Of political intrigues, of real
reformers, and not pretenders; staesmen,
not politicians.
Resolr.d, That We welcome the coop.
GRAFTON Of all men, Of all parties who will
unite with us In relieving the people OF
this state from existing evils, and In the
establishment Of good government.
All Of which Is respectfully submitted.
W. E. STEVENSON,
Chairman.