Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1884-07-16
TO WET VIRGINIA DEMOCRATS.

TO WEST VIRGINIA DEMOCRATS.
One week from to-day the Democracy Of
West Virginia will assemble in State Con-
vention in this city, for the purpose OF put
ting a State ticket in the field and for or
ganizing the party for the campaign. 1t
will doubtless be large and representative
gathering Of the Democracy Of West Nir-
ginia, and we hope that they will come to-
gether with unsclfsh and patriotic motives
aetuated by the sole purpose to study the
welfare of the party and to promote its sue
cess. We hope to see tayoriUsm, prejudice,
faction and individual ambition all laid on
one common altar willing sacrifice to the
Party's good
This is a supreme crisis Tor the Democra-
CT Of West Virginia and it is best that our
people should realize it. We had better
come together with full and perfect I'M
derstanding Of the situation in order that
we may act wisely and discreetly, than that
We should assemble under the inspiration OF
enthusiasm that has spread from Chicago
and without a correct knowledge OF facts
and details as they relate to the condition
of political affairs within our own State, in
a moment of blinded folly make rOmina-
tons and endorse or inaugurate policies
that would prove fatal in the election.
The first fact that confronts US is the
boast of the opposition that they intend to
carry West Virginia for BLAINE. If they
accomplish it of course we understand, as
well as they 10 that it will be necessary to
carry the State at the October election, so
we have the promise ofthe campaign being
fought largely upon State issues.
As the Republicans propose to take
large amount Of money from the National
campaign fund and put it into this State
for election purposes, it is best that we 60
over the ground in advance and analyze
the causes which have given them reason
10 believe that their campaign fund will not
he wasted. The sailor on q dangerous
coast first eudeavors to locate the rocks and
shoals which endanger the safety Of his
vessel. and if he cannot remove them he
can at least try to avoid them. In the same
spirit of wisdom the Democratic voters Of
West Virginia should sound for the danger
Gus places upon which the enemy hopes to
drive the good old Democratic vessel and
wreck it.
The principal hope of reliance for Re
publican success in this State rests upon
the blunders of our present State admins
tration- There is not an honest Democrat
with discerning mind who is not willing
to confess that but for the tough timbers OF
which our Democratic vessel was construct
I'd it would long ago have been wrecked by
the persistent efforts Of Democratic captains
to run it aground on the rocks Of stupidity
aud iuexcusa5le bull-headed folly. First
of all, from moral cOwardiCe, successive leg
islatures permitted the expenses Of the
State Government to exceed the revenue
receipts by not fixing the rate Of taxation
high enough to pay the deficits Of proceed
ing years as the Constitution required. In
this way the creation of debt to the school
fund was neceSSitated.
In the next place. in order, as alleged, to
meet the emergencies that rapidly arose
from the pursuit Of such a stupid financial
policy, the Executive department resOrted
10 the famous supplemental assessment"
expediency This was perhaps the climax
of all follies, and the one from which so
many other troubles radiated 1t would be
useless consumption Of time and news
paper space to enter into full discussion
of this assessment, order, especially in view
of the fact that arguments bearing upon its
legal and constitutional features have
been submitted to the Supreme Court OGthe
State without having received from that tri-
bunsl determination Of the question. But
we do feel at liberty to say something about
it a. movement of political eN-
pedieney and give common sense
application of It's workings and results.
That il created intense dissatisfaction
among all classes OfPeOPle in the State is
not to be denied. That the Governor and
Auditor exceeded their powers under the
constitution and are looked upon as guilty
Of usurpation by great many people must
also be admitted. That people generally
are more sensitive upon the matter of taxa
ton than any other feature Of government
and that they are jealous of any attempt to
take the taxing power from their hands, is
likewise trpe. As the Federal constitution
reposes the power of leyying taxes solely in
Congress, so does our State constitution
eoaSds that power exclusively to the legis-
lsture which is the representative body of
the people. The executive department can
have no legislative power except that which
Is directly conferred BY the constitution
opd can in no sense exceed the limitations
of that instrument Under our
constitution the legislative function of the
exseufiy. department is confined exclusive