The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1881-01-19
Internal improvement by the
State,

terprise contains lengthy editorial
advocating the construction Of rail
roads by the State, and calling upon
the Legislature to make appropria-
ton Of money therefor
Ferguson yields a facile pen, and
! in his usually racy style, indicates
what in his judgment should be done.
in the way Of internal improvements
by the State without stopping to in
iquirc whether his suggestions were
in accordance with the constitution,
and in keeping with the oath taken
by each member Of the Legislature,
to support thatinstrument. Nothing
could be palmer than that the fran
ers OF the constitution were deter
mined TO throw around the Legisla.
ture every conceivable barrier to the
creation Of a State debt, or to the APP
preparation of money for any other
purpose than "the annual estimated
expenses Of the State.p Some of the
members Of the Constitutional Con-
vention had fguredin thelegislatiye
council of the old State, had witness.
| ed the recklessness with which mon
ey had been appropriated from time
to time to works of internal improv-
ment, had seen the log-rolling sys-
tenn that prevailed to.wit: IF you
will vote for my road, | will vote for
yours" in fine, had seen debt Gre
ated which has proven not only ruin
Gus to the credit of the State, but a
source of unmitigated yexation to
her people to this day, To guard
against these embarrassments the
trainers Of our Constitution said in
express terms that no debt should be
created by this State except for spe
cific purposes, railroads not mention.
ed. They went farther and said that
the power Of taxation should extend
only to certain provisions, railroads
not mentioned. TITS true the Hunt.
ington AduertiScr ingeniously perverts
the meaning Of u clause in the sec.
ton just referred to where the Legis-
lature is required to provide "for the
payment of the annual estimated
expenses of the State" and says the
authority may be found there, but
Mr.. Bennett has been too closely
connected with the State govern
ment, knows too well how the annual
application of funds has been made
for any such construction from him
to pass current. The Convention
not satisfied with the limitations
referred to, expressly declared that
the credit Of the State shall not be
granted to any County, Corporation
or person.
The members of the Legislature
mindful of the oaths they have ia
ken will hardly embark in sys-
tenn OF internal Improvements SO
manifestly against the spirit, if not
the letter Of the Constitution.
Now taking it for granted brother
Ferguson that you will concede our
premises to be correct, we desire to
call ate ntion to your inconsistency.
You virtually say TO the Legislature
"go ahead gentlemen, give usrailroads,
you can do it, have the right guarantee.
ed you by the constitution" without
admitting that it would be an exercise
of even doubtful authority. Yet
when upon the subject Of the Senatori
al contestin your cagerness togivc one
of the gentlemen prominently men
toned dig, you say he is backed by
capital and a monopoly and for the
Legislature to support him under
such circumstances would be an Gin
suit to the honor and intelligence of
West Virginia" We have taken no
part in. this contest, and while we
recognize the fact that monopolies
and corporations are welding far too
much intluencin the affairs Of govern
ment,you had better get your railroads
through some such instrumentality,
direct or indirect, than for the Leg
islature to trample the Constitution
under foot knowingly and wilfully.
Twenty Four Years Of Minority