Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1880-02-19
On the Prospossd Amendment to the
Constitution.

On the Prospossd Amendment to the
Constitution.
Buckhannon Banner.
Having written a short letter OF the
proposed amendment, more orthe pur-
pose Of answering many oil my fellow
citizens in NV own county, who have
so often asked my opinion in regard to
said amendment, than to bring myself
with any degree Of prominence before
the public. But having occupied a
position in public life, even from the
formation OF the State, / was disposed
to give my views on a question so I'M
portant as an amendment TO the Con-
stitution, Over my W signature. do
not know that / should have
written another line on the subject,
but for the fact that | see IN a
late issue OF the Wheeling REGIS
TER that the editor does me the
honor to publish the important part Of
my letter written from the Banner. /
feel somewhat complimented that the
REGISTER man treats my article on the
proposed amendment with so much re-
spect. It's true, that while he agrees
with me, that the proposed amendment
would doubtless cost more, If adopted,
than the old system, yet he objects TO
some OF my views. But | am quite sure
that some OF the objections to my views
are because he did not read it carefully:
For he seems to think that i would
have" cheap salaries for cheap Judges
And by inference that ! am Tor
CLOSING the doors OF our courts
against all but the wealthy by
making the cost OF redress more
than it is worth or more than the ma
jority are able to pay" With all due
respect | cannot see how anyone could
have so construed my article. ! am OPP
posed to a cheap John court am not
for reducing the salaries OF the Judges,
| am utterly opposed to closing the
doors of our courts" against any man,
whether rich or poor. But let all the
costs he taxed up, upon the final decl-
sion of all cases tried in the courts against
the parties adjudged in FAULT. Is this
not right upon principle? Why tax a
part OF the costs against all such as
are proven to be in fault and
not include the jury costs also, that
the treasury may be reimbursed
The Bill of Rights as referred to by the
REGISTER man, provides whati Why,
it provides that "the courts Of this State
shall be open, and every person, for an
injury done him, in person, property,
or reputation, shall have remedy by due
course OF law; and justice shall be adj
ministered without sale, denial or de-
lay
Now what does this glorious pro-
vision in the Bill OF Rights mean? Why,
that all who are aggrieyed by ian injury
done may be redressed without delay.
The great object of the law, OF courts,
and all governments, should be TO pro-
tect and redress those that are aggrleyed
and in the right. | do not understand
that the institution OF courts are for
the special protection OF the raacal.
| never could see why any man in a Tree
government, whether rich or poor, who
paws his own honest debts without liti-
CATION, should be taxed and forced TO
pay for the civil litigation OF otkers.
IT'S a fact that all the principal I'm
money! involved i'll civil litigation is not
equal to the costs that are taxed upon
the people. Ii the people were taxed to
pay other mems debts, how long, think
you, would it be until the people would
rebel? And yet it would be no more
oppressive than what it is now. In
criminal causes all should bear their
equal part, for the good OF society
aud for the peace and protection
OF good government. But do not un-
derstand, that the principle on which
free governments are founded, will i'm
pose a burden Oh law-abiding citizens
against their will, growing out OF the
civil litigation of those who are al.
Judged in fault. | quite agree with the
REGISTER man in his objection to the
complicated machinery OF the courts
and the great delay in execution OF bust
ness. | think that the system should
be greatly simpliiied and cheapened, but
not by cutting down the salaries OF the
Judges. Feeling that the people are be.
awakened 10 their interests and
reform, | have no fears As to their deci-
sion at the coming elections.
ID. ID. I. FARNswoRru.