The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1878-04-05
CURSE OF OLD FoGGYISM.

! embedded IN the soil OF our State lnstlLu
tions.
CURSE OF OLD FOGGYISM.
When the old State was divided, the
boundary line included in West Virgins
q number of venerable gentlemen whC
had exercised political influence in th'
affairs of the old common wealth. Aitel
the separation some of these gentlemen
subzlded into graceful retirement. where
they have passed the time in lit
erary pursuits, or in building up the
waste places OF their fortunes. Ineil
modest department and general good
sense in so doing commend5 them
| TO the esteem of their fellow citizens oil
all political shades. But there is another
class who did not possess either the
modesty or good sense TO initiate those oi
whom have spoken, but with regular
and unremitting pertinacity have been
obtruding themselves and their antsgoa'
istic notions upon the people of the State
ever since the war. They have been
| dead weights to retsrd the progress OF
the State in its material prosperity. The
| bhghting effect of their political In
| luence has checked the growth OF our
institutions and dwarfed the body polite.
The musty smell of old fogyism imper-
mestes our entire judicial system. Its
mildew has fallen upon cur free school
system until that presents u sickly pallor
1t is due to the same influence That our
Constitution and Code present such d
Cob-webbed appearance
1t has been the misfortune Of the Dem.
ocrstic party of this State TO embrace
within It's ranks majority OF these
political fossils This has been caused
by circumstances, and not because they
are Democrats. The proscriptive policy
of the Republicans kept them out OF that
organization. When the Republican
party adopted ''let up" policy it 'e!l
into the minority, and then the selfish
instincts of these venerable politicians in
clned them to an alliance with the dom
inant party. Hence their presence in
Democratic ranks, and sorry time the
Democratic party has had with them.
1t is the easiest thing in the world to
distinguish these Old Fogies. When
ever there is an election to come oil.
Whether it Is for a local office in u school
district or for United States Senator
they commence to rub up their cOn.oder-
ate record. And the joke is, that when
they get it polished up, they have no re-
cord worth speaking OF. They didn't do
any of the fght when fighting wss 20 be
done, but if they held position OF any
kind it was some civil appointment, or in
some department beyond the reach Of
guns. They were Jealous in getting
other people into the war and then,
satisfie with their success in that line,
retired in the firm belief that their ser
vices to the country had been eminen!Iy
useful.
The Democratic party has been bene-
fitted by their presence to juss this eI-
tent: when they can control the nUm'na-
tions they are busy whipping others INTO
the ranks, but when they fail to control
the nominations thev bolt and 20 to whip
ping their followers out of the ranks. OC-
casionally they throw a slice TO some
hungry Union Democrat to keep silence
in the party, but the slice is generally 50
small rs not to amount TO much. But
one thing is remsrkable-that while these
fossil leaders always aim to ride INTO
power on their Confederate record, they
are very careful not to give any OF the eemol-
uments TO the ex-Re0el soldiers. ! would
like to know an instance where any posi-
tion Of Importance has been be-
slowed upon An ex-COntederate soldier.
When l say soldier l do not refer 10
those who served in the qusrtermasLGr,
commlsssry or ordnance departments. l
mean the men who took their guns and
swords and went into the battle.
DO not wish to be misunderstood IS ad-
vocaJiug that a mans military record
qualities him for civil office. On the
contrary l think men should be selected
for these positions with regard to their
qualifications for them, without refer
snce to antecedent military exploits. l
sm merely showing the inconsistency OF
Old Fogylsm IN protesting to seek pro-
motion because of a service to some
cause, yet ignore tAe men who did the
real service.
1t is this same class OF individuals who
aim to gobble up the Offices ard then
control legislation so as to fill their pock-
cts at the expense OF the taxpayers OF
the State. | know that some of my
Democratic friends say that l ought net
TO talk this wsy-that | am giving ald
and comfort to the opposition. 1t forced
to make the choice, 1 would prefer Re
publican prescription TO the 0igotei IN
tolerance of Old Fogyism. Bu. l do not
desire either. l want 10 see hoeTsl
progress We policy adopted by the State.
/ want new lite infused into every de-
psrtment l want the cumbersome ideas
OF a past age discarded. 1t Is not parties
we reed so much rs craftsmanship. We
have not halt the use for politicians tina.
We have for statesmen.
In the future of West Virginia 1t viii
not be of so much Importance 10 the
people of the State, in selecting men for
public position, TO enquire whether they
are Republican or Democrat, AS 1t will be
10 know whether they are honest
capable and fully Imbued with the pro
gressive spirit OF the age. So far 81 the
future Is concerned it will matter little
whether their past record was identified
with the Union or Confederate side Of the
wsr-it will only be necessary TO enquire
whether they did their duty to the cause
they espOused.
As the eagle dips his wings in the
crystal spring to basutity ard strengthen
them for his upward fight, so should our
Young State 60 to the fountains OF pro
rress and liberalism 10 adorn and
strengthen its parts, thst it may be
qualified to rise to its proper sphere OF
honor sad usefulness in the galaxy Of
States. G. II. NJ.
Heavy forgery.
BosToN, April 4-The amount Of
forged paper issued by J. w. Bugbee, Of
Indianapolis, the western agent OF Holt