Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-08-07
ARGUMENT UPON THE AMEND
MENTS

MENTS.
In his communication published to-
day, "Lucus" takes leave OF the discus
sion, without further reply to the posi-
ton we have maintained, that the Coun-
ty Courts may be virtually eliminated
from our judiciary system without the
aid Of constitutional amendment.
We give him the benefit OF the ex-
PLANTATION contained in this communica-
ton without further argument upon the
point made. But in SO doing, We do
not propose TO dismiss the subject
finally, for however clear we may be in
our convictions a. TO the scope and
effect OF the constitutional amendments,
We realize that the public journals OF
the State have q duty to perform in
thoroughly discussing every feature OF
these important measures for the bene-
fit OF the people. And We believe that
no future time will be So propitious rs
the present.
We, therefore, hope that "Lucus"
shall find it convenient to return to the
discussion OF other phases of the sub
ject, that the public may have the ben
EFT Of his judgment and reasoning; and
We also join him in wishing that others
may enter into the exposition of differ
ent features OF the amendments, for
which purpose the columns Of the REG
IsrER are freely open.
While thus far the discussion of the
subject has seemed to develop nothing
81 conclusive in the particular issue
made by "Lucus, that there will not
remain ground for an honest
difference Of opinion, neither have we
received any new light which in our
opinion, would necessitate q change OF
base or modification of the position
heretofore assumed by the REGISTER,
viz, that there are but three changes OF
the judiciary system accomplished by
the amendments that could not he made
by legislative action. (D An increase OF
circuits and circuit Judges. (2) \ re-
duction in the salaries OF Judges. l3)
An increase Of jurisdiction and trial by
Jury before Justices.
And until some one shall be able to
point out an additional modification to
be- obtained, we shall continue TO dis
cuSs the amendments from this stand
point and weigh them upon this scale.
THE Republican press has been bend
ing its energies to pervert and destroy
the effect Of General EwING's statement
in his Lancaster speech, that since 1877
the principal of the bonded debt of the
country had been increased SS6,000,0O0.
They say that "this increase is more APP
parent than real, and is due to the fact
that called bonds to large amount,
which will be paid on presentation, are
included in recent statements OF the
public debt. The organs have not stud
iel the debt statement to much purpose.
Secretary SHERMAN would not under
take the task which they so lightly as
sumed: Tor the Secretary knows that the
fact is just as General EwrNG
stated it. One of the latest
statements issued 10y the Treas
ury Department shows the outstand-
ing principal Of the interest bearing
debt July l, 1877, and July l, 1879, to
have been as follows, the figures for the
latter date being on the assumption that
pending funding operations have been
completed:
III So 700
llys,bti,tOO
-, 4J0,2O
The apparent increase in the interest
bearing debt is much larger. The total
amount of the interest bearing debt out
standing July l, 1879, was 81, 9Ol, 7lG,llO,
or Sl9O,OOO,OOO larger than the interest
bearing debt July l, 1917.