The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1877-01-17

records TO make LOT themselves. lheS
were elected by the people upon plat
form of reform and retrenchment, and it
would hardly be consistent for them now
at the very beginning Of their labors to
launch the State into an extravagant
project. the cost OF which there is no
computing. The cost OF an election
would probably reach $4,000, and then
the probability. and almost certainty OF
q second election would give an ex-
pense of thirty thousand dollars to
commence with. Then the expenses
of purchasing sites for the public build
ings, the salaries of architects, and other
incidental expenses necessary to the
mere preparations would make an addi.
tional heavy expense. And then when
we come to compute the cost Of public
buildings, taking our experience in con-
structing the Hospital and other State
institutions, We will lind rs we have
stated, the expense is beyond compula-
ton. We are now in the midst OF tinan-
cisl depression aad general distress, and
under such circumstances the represen-
tatives of the people of the State would
be compelled to have many urgent rea-
sons for embarkiRg in u project en-
failing such heavy expenditures, in
order to salty their tax laden constitu-
ents.
But, independent of these objections,
the bill itself possesses extraordinarily
Objectionable features. The constitution
never contemplated that the seat Of gov.
eminent should be fixed in the manner
contemplated i'll the bill. The constitu-
,on intended that the seat OF govern
ment should be determined by the Legis-
lature itself. They have no right to i'm
pose the responsibility upon the people,
and in tact their constitutional power TO
do so is questionable. The goth section
of article V Of the constitution Of 1872
says: "The seat Of government shall
be at Charleston until otherwise pro.
vided by law" 1t was otherwise pro-
vided by law, that is by an act OF the
Legislature itself, and the Capital re-
moved 10 Wheeling. The only way TO
remove to another point, If it should be
deemed necessary TO remove II, Is for the
Legislature itself TO take the response
bihty OF doing il. The point was very
well made by DR.. HALL in reply &c
Judge FERGUSON, who was claiming that
the Republican delegates were estopped
by the action of their State Convention
! in making capital removal a plank in
their platform. Mr.. HALLS reply Wa:
that his party had made mistake, and
the people by majority of fifteen thou
sand had said they did not want the
1 question referred 10 them.
In the next place if it was proper tc
submit the question TO the people, the
time and manner Of doing So rs proyld
ed for by the bill are open to objections
1t ought TO be done, if done st sll at 6
general election, when there would be q
full and free expression from the people
II the vote Is taken at q special election
in August, the busy season with our far
mers, there would probably be slim at
tendance at the polls. and there beng no
candidates 10 see that the vote was fair
ly taken, every opportunity for fraud
would be given, and If any ore
plsce should receive 8 msjority OF
votes, the result would De unsstis-
factory when connected with suspicion
of fraud or ballot stutting.
There are seven points designated one
Of which the voters may vote for, but for
no other, 1t is possible that q majority
of the people of the Sssse msy prefer
some point not named over ali OF these.
and We, under this bill they would hsve
no possible chance to express prefer
ence for their favorite point. As it now
stands it is impossible that any one
OF the places named should Sc. ms
jori,y at the frs, election, and thus the
trouble, eIci,emen. and expense Of s
second election would follow,
The bill provides ths. the place select
ed shall be the seat Of government unless
removed by vote OF the people. This
is clearly unconstitutional, ss the Cons,i-
tuition distinctly confers upon the Legs
la,ure the power 10 d1 ,hs seat of gov
ernment and 10 legislative act can de-
..roy the Constitutional powers of suhse-
quent legislatures. The bill if passed in
this shape would fail OF the object ispro-
tesses-the permanent location of the
Cspltsl-and would have . tendency TO
preserve the agitation of the question in
definitely and opening 8 6ne isld for
endless litigation.
That provision abcu, receiving dons-
tions from the place which may Be so
fortunate Is 70 be selected ~ the ''perma
nent seat" is taxing the credulity of the
people . little too much. 4 town or
corporation ID apt 70 Be generous when