Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1880-09-18
COMMUNICATES.
THE LEGISLATURE.

10 Sllne the popular VIA VI suSn So"n
ty as Jefferson. The purposes and
plans oi these managers are directly
hostile TO our general welfare; these
men are intent upon their Individual ad-
vancement, they are regarded with dis
trust and suspicion, they betray conf
dence whenever opportunity offers. they
are entirely without personal credit or
moral influence, and yet, TO our shame
be it said, they are eminently success
full. Every rejecting and responsible
citizen heartily disapproves of machine
politics, but they stand alooff and look
idly on while these men dictate our
elections and rule this county with
power as complete and arrogant as that
possessed by the Gar Of Russia.
If we approach a citizen whose intel
ligence and personal merit fairly enil-
ties him to influence and consideration,
he answers that our local politics has
become so degraded and corrupt that
be will not meddle with public affairs.
But this is precisely the result most de-
sired by the men who seek TO manage
our elections; if they can exclude from
the Primaries our respectable and pa
triotic voters, of course, all opposition
being removed, they will have things
exactly their own way. Hence, these
managers resort TO every trick, device
and subterfuge to dodge the influence
Of the very class whose participation IN
public matters is OF the first and great
est consequence. 1t is the fundamental
idea of our system that men OF tprlnciple
and conviction will by their influence
act as a sort of balance wheel aud at
least moderate the force of those whose
enterprise is stimulated by the expecla-
ton of personal advancement.
These retlectivns must strike the COM
mcu sense of our people. 1t is appa-
rent to all that two or three seit-constl-
tuted managers control aud dictate our
elections aud that they do so by mis-
using and abusing our system OF prima,
ry meetings. The unsophisticated and
unsuspecting citizen is trapped into
voting for men who seek the Leg'sla-
ture as means 10 advance some per
sonal scheme. II we are content with
the present order Of things, If we are
willing to submit our affairs 10 these
managers, then we may as well dispense
with the form of voting and turn this
county entirely over to their control.
The question is before our rpeople square,
and plump; we must submit or attend
the primaries. Ten years ago we were
ready for war, because the registration
laws excluded the intelligence and re
spectabilty from public business, there
were only thirteen votes in Charlestown
but it is infinitely worse at the present
time.-this whole county is ruled by
fewer than thirteen men; the evil OF
registration consisted in the fact, that
the few governed the many, but to-day
the identical same result is accomplished
by different process.
The plans of our managers are very
simple and easy to be accomplished;
they may be explained in few words.
An adroit, sly, silent candidate, who
will dodge the Railroad question and
help our millionaire politicians, glides
quietlyl through the county pIedglng
to his secret support the men who are
to be delegates to the nominating con-
yention. 1t will Le carefully observed,
if the several Primaries appoint only a
few delegates, the convention is certain
TO be packed in the interest oi some
particular candidate who has taken the
trouble to lay the wires and nix the
ropes; whereas, if each precinc, appoints
a large number of delegates the wishes
of the people will be fairly represented
and their true interests consulted. In
other words, the Vaccinations OF the
tricksters will he foiled and defeated, II
our rejecting and responsible citizens
attend the primaries with the avowed
purpose of clecting large delegations OF
representative men. 1t is Impossible
TO pack large meeting. Hence, it is
evident, the people may easily manage
their politics. Take Smithfeld for ex-
ample; if such citizens Us John NJ. Nice
ly, Lee Griggs, Geo. Shirley, William
Heiston, J. j. Grantham, &c, d., will
attend the primary Oh the 18th their
moral influence and personal right
will rally 10 their support nine-tenths OF
the voters. Men like these distinguish
ed intelligently between rival candidates
and no man who conceals his purposes
aud views can obtain q nomination.
AS things are now conducted, that
candidate is strongest who has exhaust
ed the arts Of corrupt men, the influence
of his relations and the power Of per
sonal importantly. As politics are now
managed, that candidate is strongest
who conceals his opinions, who avoids
responsibility, and who will not meddle
with the lssilroad question. As cleo
,ions are now arranged, that candidate
is strongest who is supported by the
tricksters and corrupt crossroads
schemes. Men Of principle, men who
would render Jefferson invaluable SER
vice,-in short, men who will do their
duty in the Legislature are thrust aside
to give this very important place TO
some inexperienced, untried youth Of
doubtful integrity aud sordid, selfish
instincts. ..
The people Of this Stste have millions
at stake; If West Virginia is muzzled BY
the Railroad her prosperity Is retarded
and practically forced back fifty years,
because we will be outstripped by other
States in wealth aud population. Here
is matter, which directly touches the
pocket of every man in this county.
With almost unbouDded mineral re-
ann,eoa onr develonement is sloY pre-