The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1879-02-08
CONSTITUTIONAL AMEND
MENT.

ctCIlls tlldt tllC W
islature is bent on proposing Constitu
tional amendment or two, to be sub
mitted to the people at the next gener
al election. This seems to be the re-
suit OF electing to the Legislature 8
number Of plain, honest farmers and
mechanics and a few crafty and insin-
cere politicians. = If there is anything
in the world that will stir up litigation
and Increase the burdens Of taxation
it is radical I, h lnges in the Constitution
and laws of a State. The old Consti,
tuition of West Virginia was framed
during the late civil war, and was
made with reference to the times. Ii
was not so well suited tc q people at
peace because it did not 50 fully as it
ought to do protect the persons
d the property of citizens from
the tyranny of officers and prescription
boards, through sectional hate and the
excitement of terror, which are raised
W, but which are only excused as a
war necessity. Our present Constitu-
ton was framed in times of profound
peace after the PEOPLE had experienced
the Tyranny occasioned by the defects
of the former Constitution. 1t was
conceived by the best intellects of the
State. 1t commended itself to the PEG
pie, and they adopted it, expecting
that the legislation under it would ex-
hibit as much wisdom as was evinced
by the Constitution itself 1t is, per
haps, true that the legislators since the
adoption of the Constitution, have not
been as astu.e as was DESTROYS, and
that the laws are in mixed and mud
die / condition, but it must be admitted
that this state of affairs grows out of
the legislation, CT rather want OF prop
er legislation, and not from any want
of Constitutional amendments. Con
stitutional amendments will only make
new complications. 1t is true that oul
County Court, while it is suited tc
some localities, is not VIA is desired III
many Of the more populous counties o.
the State, but the Constitution most
wisely provides that any county or
counties may upon applicat on to the
Legislature have this County Court
modified or altered, aud in lieu thereof
create another cnurt or tribunal which
shall conform to the wishes of such
county 1t further provides that two
or more adjoining counties may, if they
prefer, unite in the election of Il Judge
TO hold their County Court.
We ask the members of the Legis
lature lin the name of the Great Je
hovah and the Continental Congress.
what could be more reasonable Of
better adapted to the wants of The
people than this provision? Wha
could be more Democratic than to al
low the counties thus to select or es
tablfsh a tribunal suited to their owl
wishes and wants. In short wha
provisions in this regard could b,
wiser or more benifieent. And if an,
county is not satisfied with tn,
County Court as established by tn,
Constitution, it is simply childish tc
whine about its fault, and rot to q,
anything toward establishing trib
unal or Court in lieu Of it, and on
that will suit them better, as the
have a right to under the presen
Constitution. New CONSTITUTIONS
amendments can only make the law
of our State more complicated, anC
lead to more litigation. and bring
trouble and perplexity to the people
It will benefit the lawyer. bpt it vii
be death to the tax payer.