The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1889-02-20
A revision NJ the Constitution
VVSffifefls

w 80 oAA Va e5t<AS tt.tes ~ sup llldue-
ed a Constitution of imperfect con-
struction, devised and adopted at
time when the large majority of the
people on whom it was to opsrate
had no voice in its construction and
no vote ON its adoption. 1t was an
Improvement over its predecessor in
that it contained no clause favoring
negro slavery; no claJise Furnishing
the larger class of the inhabitants
by exp6st fact0 processes, and abol-
ished the Board of Supervisors for
the management of totinty sh:lirs.
In many other ways, perhaps it is
the superiour Of the former organic
system But the main trouble in
the framing of both instruments wiasI
that they were regarded as party
measures, and the present one en-
countered obstacles in its moulding
process, as the result of party bias,
that have hindered its operation to
some extent at least. In the crea-
tion of set of laws intended to be
fundamental. the minds charged
with the task should be free from
the rancor, or prejudice of partisan
ship, and men should be chosen for
the performance of so solemn and
important duty, from the highest
plane of character and intellect, ir-
respective of political affiliations
1t is not necessary to speak of the
character, political faith or ability of
the men who framed the Constitu-
ton of 1863, or that of 1872. There
were men of ability in both conyen-
tions, but the partisan dominated
and the evidences that the dema-
gogue was on hand, are as fully visi-
BILE in connection with the one as
with the other.
The improvements that should be
made to our system of State gov
ernment through constitutional
amendment or revision, are mainly
those relating to county organiza-
ton, the judicial department., and
compensation of officers.
We should get rid of our unsatis-
factory and improbable method of
collecting the revenues by the tsad-
dle-bag" system, through and by
which the credit our counties is
chronically impaired; the sheriffs S
Office turned into a shaving institu-
ton; the duties which the sheriff
owes to the administration of just
ice through the courts neglected,
and the courts themselves turned
into an engine to assist the sheriff
to collect his taxes off of jurymen
who are more frequently summoned
because they owe taxes which can
be offset by the sheriff against their
per diem, than because of their
qualifications for the jury service
To obviate these inconveniences
there should be county auditor
and county treasurer-as in near
ly all other States of the Unon.
The Judicial department needs re-
vision. There should be criminal
court, separate from the circuit
court, provided in certain districts
or circtits. Yhere should be q diff
ferent way of selecting the Judiciary
than by popular vote which IS de-
grading and dangerous. There
should be a more liberal compensa-
ton paid the judges of all classes of
courts.
The idea of paying the Supreme
Judges the pitifuI sum of 81, 200 per
yearl 1t rs shameful in the highest
degree. The Circuit Judges salary
is $500 per yearI He can't live
on it. Fhe Governor is required
to reside at the seat of the State
government and devote his time to
the service of the State, and main
tain the dignity and honor appropri-
ate to tho high office ON the sum of
s2,70O a yearl How munifcentt
Those are a few of the matters
that seem to call frnperativeIy for a
change. West Virginia is progress
ing in spite of the drawbacks re-
su1ting from her Constitution. With
such a revision as would put her in
line with the government of other
more progressive States, she wonid
soon feel the. impulse stirring within
her, and wonld begin an advance,
the rapidity of which would seem
marvellous:
There never was a better time
for Constitutional revision than the
present when the nearly balanced
condition of the chfef political par.
ties in the State would insure an
impartial, bipartisan and patriotic
treatment of the whole matter.
Rhere is to be no serious hitch