The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1879-07-09
l,onIrreas.

months, this body adjourned on the
LIST inst. It accomplished a great
deal in tho interest Of Liberty. It
was called together in extra session
by the President to make appropria-
tons for defraying the expenses of
The government. Republicans desi-
red it to pass the appropriation bills
and adjourn. The Democrats knew
that the rights and liberties of the
people had been dangerously en-.
croached upon by the Republican
party under the plea that it was me-
cessary to crush out the spirit Of re.
bellion in the South. Under Re-
publican laws the citizen Of the
South who had fought in the Confed-
crate army, could notsit upon juries,
and hence the Democratic party de-
manded that the test-oath should be
repealed, and this the Republican
party opposed. The Democratic par
ty demanded tho repeal Of the law
permitting the use Of soldiers at the
polls, for the purpose Of intimida-
ting voters and controlling elections;
a law which, but for political enthu,
siasm, would never have been sub
mitted to for day by free people,
and a bill was passed repeating it
but Mr.. Hayes vetoed it. The most
pernicious enactment Of all is that
in relation to assiatant marshals and
supervisors at elections, who are au-
thorized to attend the polls at pay
Iof IS per day and ten days service,
and are permitted to make arrests
without warrant, upon mere snspi-
cion that voter contemplates do
ing a wrong. 1t is nothing more
nor less than a Republican campaign
fund Of 5000, that the party in pow
er use at every election to keep the
party in Office, Its repeal was de-
manded by the Democratic party,
and law was passed repeating it,
but it was vetoed by Mr.. Hayes
After five vetocs; after a battle Of al.
most three months, the following re-,
suit was reached: The Democrats
failed to repeal q portion Of a clause
in regard to the army bill which
prevented the use of the army as u
police force ut the polls under a pen
alty-virtually securing in an indi-
rect manner that which they could
not get directly owing to the veto
power They secured the repeal of
the test-oath clause, against theuni-
ted opposition of the Republican par-
Ity. They failed to repeal the super
yisors clause in the Judicial bill; but
they rendered it imperative by re-
fusing to appropriate money to pay
these political bunmers for their
dirty work. The Republican party
can use them, if they want to- bus
they can't pay them out Of the pub
lie treasury. TIE aim, intent, and
desire Of the Republican party is to
abolish our form of government
If they bad succeeded in full, their
plan, says on exchange, Was: "First,
they were to nominate Grant for the
Presidency; second they were to use
troops at the polls to intimidate vo
tiers; third, they were to employ as.
sistant marshals and supervisors to
make arrests of citizens going to the
polls to vote. Grant was to be rid.
den into power over the heads Of the
people; he was to be forced into the
Presidency, and the good order and
peace ofthe country was not to be
disturbed by another Presidential
election" But in part the Demo
Gratis have been victorious, and thus
in part the Republican plan has
been frustrated; the freedom of the
people win be maintained, and the
action Of the session Of Congress just
adjourned, will be memorable in the
history Of the country by the great
fight made by the Democrats for the
maintenance and preservation Of
rights and liberties Of the people.
VIII the Office Of County Judge,
in Mason County be Abolished
by the Adoption of the Pro.
posed Amendment to Article
r unA "a. q