Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1880-08-21
COMMUNICATED.
TIE LEGISLATURE.

II 10 uuioi luialc HlefnUcrS VI Tue lee
islature are chosen at the same time the
monied officers (sheriff, assessors, &c.
Men are more active for their present
personal profit than for the general
good and the public mind is distracted
by the contest between the Jealous
friends oft candidates for these places
Of emoument In fact, it does not mat
ter, to the people at large, who is sher-
if, but it vitally concerns every iudlvid-
nal that We should be efficiently repre-
sented in the Legislature.
Deeply impressed with this view, at
fhe urgent solicitation of several public
spirited citizens and stimulated by the
nope we might contribute something to
advance the common welfare, we have
writtea these articles 10 rouse our peo-
pie 10 the very important business which
must come before the next legislature.
We have been compelled to publish dis
agreeable facts, which certain men
wished to keep concealed, because these
facts must be known before we are able
to discriminate intclligently between
rival candidates. But we have stuck
no man in the dark or behind his back;
We have spoken openly and plainly;
nothing we have written has been con-
tradictcd; rejecting men Of every pur-
suit, i'll all parts of the county have
heartily endorsed these articles ard have
thanked us for them; we have heard no
complaint except from two classes, %
machine politicians, and (2) certain gen
tlemen who wishing the office expected
to make Il StiLl-hunt for the nomination.
We have presented, and we now once
again present, to the intelligent citizens
OF Jefferson, this proposition: That
candidate for the legislature ought tobe
bold, out spoken and independents; he
ought TO publish his opinions, views
and purposes upon every question like
ly to come before the Legislature. We
SHOULD select a man whose designs are
known and whose plans are understood.
The circumstance that he is secret, sly
and nOD-cOmmittal is sufficient proof
that he is not tit for this place.
Again. Iuasmuch as the newspapers
publish only one side OF the controversy
between the railroad and the people,
therefore We need representative who
will take the trouble to inform the pub
lie or this subject; we do not want
man who has heretofore preserved al
ominous silence upon this and every
other question of vital Importance to
our people. We insist upon it, that it
is the first duty of a candidate to give
a foil, free aud frank expression OF his
views We are interested to know,
who lie prefers for L. S. Senator. We
want to know what he has herei"t fore
done or said on the question whether
the railroad is exempt from taxes and
whether it may charge more for short
distance than for long distance. We
want to know what he has done IN the
past that vouchcs for his conduct in
the future.
1t is very difficult for the people to
obtain really efficient representative
aud the following observations are re
specttully submitted to the intelligent
consideration G oar readers.
First. II we send competent law
ser to the Legislature, unless he has an
established record and has fully com
United himself on these public questions,
the chances are that his conduct will be
governed by desire to secure his own
personal political prctermen', and TO do
so, he will try to obtain the railroad III
tluenCe and the friendship OF our mil
liouaire politicians. The temptation is
very strong and unless he has either an
established reputation TO maintain or Is
acluated by stern sense o! duty the
I. legislator will sacrifice the public good
to his individual promotions; because he
has only to keep quiet while these ques-
tons are being discussed, and he will be
at once pulled by the papers as the en-
bodiment Of all that is virtuous and wise;
whereas, if he exposes the moneymak-
lug schemes OF those who use the legis-
iaturc as an instrument TO rlundCr the
people, he will certainly be bounded to
his political death. Dan. Johnson of
Tyler would have been III Congress to-
day, if lie had voted against the i'm
parchment of Burdett and had let the
railroad alone. 1t is a most remarkable
fact, that no man is reelected to the
legislature who has venturcd to disagree
with the railroad lobby.
Second 1t is almost impossible for
q bold, determined man, who is free TO
publish his purposes, to obtain nom
nation at the hands of our county con
vention. Our best citizens being en-
ploycd about their private business have
not the time to attend the PRIMARIES 20
select delegates; hence our nominations
are made by few men who exert them
selves to advance particular candidate.
For example: Mr.. Jones, will get his
cousin near Dutllelds to ride around and
bring to the primary his own personal
friends; these friends appoint as dele
gates a. Is. and q. who have already
promised to vote for Mir. Jones. Hence,
it often happens, that less than halt
dozen active partizans control the
POO democrats Of Jefferson and com
pei them TO support men who would not
otherwise receive fifty votes.
The only way to avoid this, is to have
q LARGE convention; Let each precinct