West Virginia Democrat. [volume] (Charles Town, W. Va.) 1885-1890, 1888-11-30
A WORD OF CALM WISDOM.

The political situation in this
State is beginning to assume very
grave aspects. Fortunately, the
presidential contest does not depend,
in any degree, on the electoral vote
of West Virginia, otherwise even
that would be the subject of dispute.
Every Congressional district, but
one, is contested. The chief magis-
tracy is in controversy. The legis-
lature, though democratic by ma
jority of one or two on joint ballot,
is subject to the contingency that
each House is the judge of the cleo
tion and qualification of its own
members. The Senate, being repub-
lican by one majority, may they not
seek to control the joint assembly
by contests, and unseating enough
Democrats tc counterbalance the
Democratic majority in the House?
If this should be done, the House
may retaliate, and seek to increase
its democratic majority by unseat-
in republicans. Now, in case Of a
contest over the office of Governor,
(which now seems imminent) ''the
contest shall be decided by the leg
islature, both houses thereof sitting
in joint session in the hall Of house
delegates, and the president of the
Senate shall preside"
But the legislature itself, will be
in dispute, and the 'jOint session"
cannot take place until each house
has determined upon its own organ
izatiOn. Not only so, but it will be
abserved that the president of the
Senate presides over this joint as
sembly, and his rulings will deter
mine much Of its action. He will
be a republican. He can retard a
decision, or perhaps defeat any &C
ton adverse to his party. The ses-
lasts forty.fre days, and if testimO-
mony aliURde is to be taken, this
will consume, according to the pro-
risionS Of the statute, forty days!
If therefore, we are to be plunged
by half educated, and ambitious
leaders, on either side, into con-
test for Governor, we shall have no
legislature and no governor. This
will be our situation on the side Of
the state; and on the Federal side,
we shall geinto Congress with no &C
credited representative except Mr..
Wilson.
And as for the Senatorial contest,
this must of necessity await the or
ganization of the two houses. More
over, a republican will preside over
its deliberations, and the election
can easily be held in allegiance un-
til the expiration Of fortyfive days.
Let our readers look upon the pic
we have truthfully depicted, and
they will realize what we have inten-
ded to portray-ARdrchy.
The literal and genealogical sig
MITIGATION of Anarchy is the rant Of
gorerROr-the word means non
gorerRor or no governor.
Let the people reflect upon this
state of affairs. Let them reflect
that there Is no principle at stake,
in the administration of State affairs
which justifes this civil revolution.
Let reflective men everywhere con
slider whether it is worth while to
throw the State into anarchy in or
der to crafty the ambition otone or
two inordiuately ambitious leaders,
such as Golf and Kenna Had we
not better get together and agree to
abide By the face Of the returRsI
We have uttered this word Of
warning on the Threshold OF i'm
pending anarchy. Should the want
of recognized government develop
into any actual violence, it would
be the duty of the Federal power,
(under call from legislature or gov
ernor, when the legislature is not in
SESSION. to interpose.
Had we not better adjust this un-
fortunate complication by abiding
by the face Of the retUrRs} We
throw out the suggestion for thought
full men to ponder over.
,v. -. -,.,.. 1900