Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-07-30
WHAT DOES THE AMENDMENT
AMENDS

Amendments, with the clauses oil the
present Constitution and the amend
ments to them placed side by side lor
comparison.
Our purpose in this work was two
fold: a. 1t is the only intelligent
method OF arriving at the merits oil the
proposed Amendments, and l2l, We tic
sired To assist tine voters OF the state III
Judging, each Tor himself, whether the
proposed patching OF the old garment
would increase its value.
We have given the subject some study
for our own benefit, and We hope all
who came into possession OF the REGIS
TIERS synopsis, have done likewise,
Ii SO, they have doubtless, reached,
with us, the following conclusions VIZ:
That the proposed amendment Will
give ms Hrrs, and only three, modiilca-
lions in the existing Judiciary system,
that are not provided for under the pre-
sent ConstitutiOn-tha number, and no
more. They are the following;
l. An increase in the Circuits ana
Circuit Judges.
>. A reduction in the Judges saLa-
ries.
;. IN increase of jurisdiction and trial
bv Jury before Justice.
Wemake this proposition with some
assurance and without discussion unless
its correctness is challenged.
Ii anyone can discover any additional
modification than those stated IN the
three instances above noted, not posSl-
BILE to be made under the present con-
st,tution. we shall be glad to have 1t
pointed out, but at the same time we
are entirely confident that 1t cannot be
done.
By way OF illustration we Will emu
mer.te the main features otthe proposed
amendments to which we refer:
l. The amendment provides for re-
arranging the circuits.
That can be done under the present
constitution.
81 The Amendment provides Tor cs-
tablishing Courts OF limited jurisdiction
in any Incorporated town, Ne.
That is also provided Tor under the
prrsrnt Constitution.
49, The Amendment provides
County Court composed OF three COM
missioners, who shall have charge OF the
police and fiscal affairs Of the county,
,Sc.
Exactly the same thing is provided
Tor, and really exists ia some counties,
under the present Constitution.
lll The Amendment provides that
the Legislature, under certain condi-
tons. may reform, alter or modify the
County Court establishclin any coun-
~, &c.
An almost Identical provision Is con-
tanned i'm the present Constitution.
The above four features, in conncc-
ton with those notifications not pro-
viIcd ior. constitute all the material
changes proposed by the amendments,
and if anyone is troubled To discover Tor
himself that they are all compaSScd by
the present constitution-with the three
exceptions named-we will take pleas
ure in making it plain.
Under this showing, it occurs to us
that the main question upon the pro-
posed amendments is not whether they
are good or bad in themselves, but
rather. whether they amend anything
worth neutrality-suspicious. IT would not
be wiser and cheaper to allow any oil the
counties which So desire, to adopt
for themselves any ot the proposed
changes, or decline 10 do 50, as they
have the privilege. without disturbing
the organic law; whether, in fact, 1t VIII
nav 10 overturn the organization oil the
whole State for the purpose ot accom-
plishing three triling changes IN the
judiciary system.
When. therefore, the amendments
come 10 be discussed throughout the
State. we take it that the decision Will
turn not so much upon their intrinsic
merits, as upon the policy OF adopting
so much to obtain 50 little-it is like 90
ing through a bushel of chait to get three
grains OF wheat Men may not be oP,
posed to the matter OF the amendments
vet will say, why adopt anew what We
now substantially possess? Or they
may be opposed to the present Consti'
tuition. and will say, why readopt what
49,, ,,.a.,t o.. ,snt riI pip