Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1884-11-20
AL PoPPFc0cK
Is This Talk About a Contested
State Election.
It Vas Settled Long Ago and Has Not the
Stability oil Banquo's Ghost---Goy-
ernor Jackson's Views,

Readers of the REGISTER will not have
forgotten a controversy which took place
nearly two years ago, during the session OF
the Legislature, relative 10 the proposed
amendment to the Constitution changing
the time Of the general elections from Octo-
Der to November. The joint resolution
proposing the amendment had passed both
Houses and was a law, when the question
was raised, when would the amendment 60
into eject? There we're those who main
tanned that should the people ratify the
amendment on October Ii, it would,
in fact be at once in
effect and q second general election,
under its operation, would be necessary
on November 4. The result Of the raising
of the question was an extensive contro-
yersy through the columns Of the REGIsrER,
which was finally closed By mutual consent,
both sides agreeing that should the amend
nent be ratified, it would not be in effect
until after the day Of election and, there
lore, would not 60 into effect until 1883.
Since that time the question has quietly slept
1t was resurrected within the past week
and has been gently sgitated by one or two
State papers, but without the expected SEN
s~ational effect. At the Presidential election
a number Of ballots were deposited contain
ing a partial State ticket, headed by David
Mc6regor for Governor, and winding up
With Judge Brown for the short term as Su-
.preme Judge. Quite a number Of these had
been deposited-st first nobody knew why
but it has now been developed that interest
ed persons had cast them acting on the belief
indicated above and taking it tor granted the
amendment has been adopted. 1t was at
terward reported abont that Col. McGregor
would contest Gov. Wilson's seat on the
ground that under the Amendment all cleo
ton should havs been held on Nov. 1, at
which cc,.ection he received a majority, AMI
in fact all the votes cast for Governor. AS
being at least singular, the affair has Great
ed some little discussion, and has been
vaguely canvassed by some OF the REGIS
-sR's State exchanges. In point of fact,
no one can yet say: the amendment was
ratified, as the official figures have not been
all received, and many lawyers are in
clined to laugh immoderately at this re-
markable construction of the law.
Yesterday afternoon y REGISTER reporter
bad a short interview with Gov. jackson,
touching this question. His EXceilency
said he had thought the matter mad been
thoroughly discussed and finally settled long
ago and he was somewhat surprised al
bringing it up at this time. There is abso
Iutely nothing in it" he continued, las was
shown at the time. No law can be retro.
active, after that fashion. This is the way
in which it will be done. The incoming
legislature declares the election Of the several
officers of State. No legislature was voted
Tor on November 4, and for the coming body
to pass on the matter at all, is to declare
itself legally elected. How could it stultity
itself by sitting, as a body, declaring itself
elected and no other officers voted for at the
same time. The whole thing is a ridicu-
Ious farce. Gov. Wilson, for example, will
be declared elected at the same election at
which the amendment was ratified. What
nonsense, then, to say the amendment
reaches back and invaidatesth election"
OF course the matter will end where it is,
but having been brought up, it is interest
ing to know, as q mere matter of news,
what people say of it. However it began,
II will end simply as q Joke.