The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1889-01-19
VOLUME XIII.
THE GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
SOME VIGOROUS RECOMMENDA.
TIONS
And Pointed Reference to the Late
Election.

And Pointed Reference to the Late
Election.
Governor Wilson's message deliv-
cred to the legislature on Wednes
day last is rather interesting docu-
ment. 1t may be read with profit.
The Governor in his characteristic
style sets forth the needs of the State
and vigorously refers to theta cleo
ton.
The message is as follows:
JANUARY 0, 1889.
Gentlemen Of the Senate and House
Of Delegates:
During the two years, 1887 and
1888, it became necessary, in order
to meet the unusually large appro-
priations made by the last Legisla-
ture, to borrow $4,000, of which
sum $125,00 was borrowed from
banks and $4,000 from the Board
of the School Fund, all of which
amounts have since been paid, and,
in addition thereto, the sum of $67,-
545.46, on account of claims filed by
sheriffs prior to 1885. There has
also been paid $1,000 on account of
the $4,000, which was borrowed
from the Board of the School Fund
during the years 1885 and 1886.
1t is very gratifying fact that
for the three fiscal years of the pres
ent administration, ending Septem-
Der 80, 1888, there remains but one
delinquent sheriff in the State; and,
in that instance, the amount is less
than one thousand dollars, and is in
no danger of loss.
By reason of unavoidable delay in
preparing for the printer, the reports
from the Executive officers, and from
the Boards of the various institu-
tions, / am unable, at this time, to
communicate concerning the same,
but will do so as soon as possible.
FRAUD AND CORRUPTION IN ELECTIONS.
We have just passed the first cen
fury of our political existence. The
dangers which beset the experiment
of self-government have, so far, been
averted, and the great Republic still
stands as lustrous example of the
superiority of neutrality-suspicious.
institutions, of the happiness and
contentment of free people, and of
the grand march of human progress,
where the manacles of despotism
and "the divine right of kings are
unknown.
1t is no mere American boast that
"this is the best government the
world ever saw" 1t stands forth as
a towering fact as we turn the pages
of recorded time, whether of ancient,
medieval or modern history. 1t is
the paramount duty of patriotism,
whether of the public or private citi-
zen, to observe, and, with jealous
care, guard our political organiza-
ton against every form of danger
and innovation. Proud of the
strength and splendor of our institu-
tions as we are, and have just right
to be, we should profit nothing from
the experience of the past should we
reckon them beyond the dangers of
ambition and corruption. Whether
armed legions be bought with price
to strike down existing institutions,
or the ballot in the hands of free
people be polluted by the bride giver
and the bribe-taker, the result, in
the end, must be one and the same
thing.
The corruption of the ballot must
bring with it loss of public conf
dence; and the loss of that confidence
can but pave and make straight the
way for the destruction of existing
forms.
Upon the ballot rests the entire
superstructure of our political fabric;
and it's corruption is more danger
Gus than open revolt, for it under
mines the very foundations with in
sidious debauchery. And yet this
is peril to which our whole country
is this day exposed. Under the
sham of campaign expenses vast
sums Of money are raised and dis
tributed to corrupt the voter and de-
feat the public will. In many in
stances men are selected for exalted
public positions whose only qualifi-
cations are enormous wealth and a
ready willingness to provide money
to tempt the INDECENT and defile the
ballot box.
Throughout the country, for
months last past, the very atmos-
phere has been laden with the cry of
fraud. Reproach has been cast upon
our own State as never before by IL
legal, fraudulent and corrupt voting
in almost every county within its
borders. This is so palpable, that
she who runs may read" The cap
itations of 1884 were 1882, and
the entire vote, after the most active
political campaign ever made in this
State, 1857. The capitations for
1888 were 147,40S, and the entire
vote 159,440. The difference in the
capitations and the vote, in 1884,
was 1905; in 1888 it is 1902 This
shows an increase of votes in four
years of 51,S53, which, if legitimate,
would indicate population of 900,-
900, and an increase in four years of
much more than 100000 1t is GER
tain that no such increase has taken
place.
The purity of our elections imper-
atively demands a revision of the
election laws. The public sentiment
of the State demands it. These
crimes should be made so odious
that no man with the slightest claim
to common decency can dare to con-
done them.
recommend that a registration
law be enacted, and that our election
laws be amended so that bribery and
fraudulent voting may be prevented
and the purity of the ballot-box pre-
served.
That the certainty and severity
of the penalty may be measured by