Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1890-02-07

and 10 seClre their share OF the Neoltn
which bsnefceut Providence bss so bOun-
teously placed within its bOrdere. Oar
millions Of ec-es Of timber growing upon
fertile soil underlying which are hun
dreds Of thousands Of acres OF the choicest
steam, gas and coking Goals, an undeter-
mined and possibly unlimited quantity o.
petroleum and vast mineral deposits. all
in the infancy Of development, present
most inviting fsld for bolh capital and Ia
Dor.
And whilst we welcome capital, and
promise il ssfe and prof table investment,
il is EQUALLY needful that by wise laws
fairly administered, We lend a helpful
hand 10 labor, and encourage those who
earn their bread by the sweat Of their
brovs" 10 make their homes among us
Labor should rot be regarded as the legi-
timsts prev Of svaracious selhshness, ror
denied any safeguard which the laws can
give 10 secure to il an equitable portion Of
the fruits Of our common industry snd en-
teTpyise.
Ia the administration Of local govern
meut the strictest economy should be
maintained. The extent in which the
people are now burdened by unnecessary,
discriminating and
OPPRESSIVE FEDERAL TAXATION,
through the operations Of our monopoly
breeding and elAss-enrichiDg tarih, IN
erseses the necessity for making our local
tax burthens rs light as possible.
Bot do not desire to speak at greater
length upon these general subjects. am
ur, "A by a sense Of public duty to more
imDortant matter, Oae that concerns the
wbole people. and which it is particularly
snpropriste that I should discuss on this
occasion. Uoder republican form OF
government such as ours, where all the
powers reside With the people, who
tbrorgh the ballot, choose their own pub
HE servants, and thas dictate public policy
and direct and control their own govern
mental affairs, all must recognize the
snpreme Importance Of free, honest and
nppurchassd elections, and the danger TO
our political institutions from crimes
against the suffrage.
Tsolsled cases Of illegal and i'm
proper voting may occur despite Tue
grsstsst care and watehfulness. Bat
these occasional crimes against honest
elections do not seSionsly stsef, END can
not really endaoger, our political system:
IL ia 10 organic q fraud, IN systematizsd
eforts by political organizations IN close
and pivolal States, aRd thro ughout the
nation. TO carry elections by fraud and
purchase, that positive peril and Imminent
danger to our form Of government exists.
/ The popular tendency to adopt the meth
DDS Of the QaAys and the Dudleys for the
I isvement Of party victory is menace
10 free institutions and fres government
that challenges the thoughtful attention
and serious consideration Of patriotic eiti-
zsus Of all parties.
Toe property and personal liberty of the
citizen should be protected aud held sacred
/ in the ewes Of the law and Of the people,
/ bu. it is
VASTLY MORE IMPORTANT,
looking TO the broader cons6 6quencss, that
the power Of his vote, and its free exercise,
should be safely guarded and kept invio-
late.
This constitutes the basal structure OF
our government. and upon il rests our Ell
tire political system a. designed and fash
ionsd by the fathers OF the repubhc
Without tree ballot We can
not have free government. With
on. Al homes. ballot wa cannot have
an bones. government. We may as well
sxosc- wholesome, perfect fruit and grain
+ from tainted seed or detective germs as
good and hooest government from unfair,
corrupt elections.
Hlving these cardinal principlesi IN mind,
considering the cloud that huog over our
S'aie elecuOns, considering the charges OF
I illegal voting and general corruption pre-
fsrred by the people and the press OF the
State. aud now in the light Of what has
been clearly proven, considering also the
finding Of the Joint commiitse and the nnai
decision Of the ijint assembly, let all the
people say whether or not the contest was
honestly or wisely undertaken, whether or
not this successful resistance to an assault
on the parity Of the ballot in West Vir-
gaia was rot
AN INlPERrATIvE DUTY
eui 3ined by a trus regard for the rights OF
the p psople; whether or not, l rightiully
and as the choice Of majority OF the
electors Of thil State stand here about to
assume the duties Of the cface OF Gov
srnor.
The parties who conceived, planned and
executed. 30 fsr as they were able, the
scheme of fraudulent voting IN certain
counties so nearly achieved success, nay
to d.scredit the character Of the tribunal
that has righted the wrong they attempted
mon the people, endeaVor to ease their
conscience by clamOIOus charges Of politl-
cal burglary and theft; and through their
newspaper organs seek to divert the atten'
ton Of their own plrty followers from the
erimss proven against them By the testi-
mony taken and 6led.
Bat this testimony remains.
II will stand against them as long as the
records Of this contest shall be preserved,
and upon il confidently ask the Jodg
ment Of the people Of West Virginia, as
sought and Obtained that OF the highest
tribunsl TO which, under tue O)nsntu-
ton and laws Of ths State, cOuld appeal
what we have endured and expanded IN
tbjs contest co1ats for nauZht IN conoAri-
son with the Preservation Of the political
rights Of the people through an uncorrup-
ted ballot.
Fellow citizens, upon assuming the re-
snonsibilities Of office, allow me in con-
elusion 10 say, that every duty VIII De
csrformed as il may seem best for the
General GOOD. with the assistance Of other
state officers in the executive department,
and Of the Legislature, IN making only
needed and economical appropriations,
shall endeAyOr 70
MAINTAIN THE FINANCES
of the State in as satisfactory condition
As thew are now under the faithful and
honest administration Of my predecessor
It will be my highest aim at all times 70
see that all the laws are enforced impair
tally. to the end that all the people, IN
every walk Of life, may be protected II
every right, and have equal opportunities
spd privileges under the government oi
our State.
I am ready to take the oath Of office
and, with malice toward none and cnari-
ty to oil, ," enter upon the discharge OF my
duties.
Throughout the reading the address the
closest attention was paid. There was q