Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-01-23

sell and Col. Robert White, as to the
present Constitution of the State, at
tracted great deal OF attention, and
the article was the subject of a good
deal Of discussion Saturday, both here
and at Charleston.
THIS morning the REGISTER submits,
in the same connection, the expressions
of two other leading members Of the
Ohio county bar, in the persons Of D..
Dallas Ewing and Prosecuting Attorney
John A. Howard.
j. d. EWING.
Mr.. Ewing was seen at his office Sat-
urday, and in reply to request for an
expression of opinion, said:
There Is no question but that the
Constitution needs amending and i'm
proving in some particulars. In fact
some matters might be improved by
leaving them out altogether, but don't
known that 1 have given the mat ter
sufficient thought to go into it in detail,
and it may be that it would not be
at this time.
Judicial reform is very badly needed
in this State. There ought to be an
effort made TO get out of the old rut
which makes litigation so expensive
and drags it out to such an interminable
length that much of the interest attach
ing to it is lost. Mr.. Russell's views in
this regard are eminently sound, and l
read his expression with good deal Of
interest.
'In the matter Of salaries, too, both
of the Judges and the Chief Executive,
there should be change. The salary
now paid the Governor is shame, and
If nothing else is done, the Legislature
should at least adopt Governor
Fleming's suggestion to give
the Governor residence at the
Capitol. This would be something bet
ter than the present arrangement. The
salaries of the Supreme Judges are
much too low-about the same as that
received by head bookkeeper in city
like Wheeling. Indeed, we have some
men in this city who, no doubt, get
more money-and yet it is sometimes a
yers are not anxious to go on the Bench.
/ am an advocate, also, Of making the
Judges appointive and net elective.
The idea of having man get
down in the mire Of politics
for nomination to the
Supreme Court is all wrong in an Office
which should be purity itself. Su
preme Judges should be nominated by
the Governor and confirmed by the
Senate. As to Circuit Judges, the sal
aries are also too low. In this county,
so long as the extra 81, 900 is paid and
an office, janitor, etc, are furnished,
it makes the salary fair one, but the
81, 500 paid in the other circuits is too
low for the right men.
Another important matter is this
piling up of vast sums Of money in
the school fund. This money seems to
be intended for the future; let the
future take care of itself, or, if it must
be provided for, let the money be ex-
pended for good school houses, that our
children may be the fitting
ancestors of coming generations.
This idea of piing up large sums of
money is all wrong. The money should
be in the hands and in the pockets of
the people, and not uselessly accumu-
lated. This matter is one Of the things
which invites the attention of a Consti-
tutional Convention, il one is to be held.
''If the Constitution is to be amended,
a Convention is the proper way, for
then there can be calm deliberations
and a better result attained.
JOHN A. HOWARD.
Mr.. Howard was also seen Saturday,
and said:
"Our Constitution ought to be amend
ed in some particulars, and needs trim
ming up in general. The right way to
do il is by a Constitutional Convention,
not by piecemeal amendment submit
ted by the Legislature from time to
time. The most important change re-
ouired is in the judiciary system. There
is no good reason why legislation should
be so slow in this advanced age. Our
system should be amended in such
way as 10 insure more prompt admins
tration of civic causes, and criminal
causes ought 10 be tried without delay,
otherwise Justice will always fail.
The salaries of Judges are so low as
10 hold out no inducements TO compe-
tent men TO remain on the bench. Any
LAWYER good enough 10 be Judge can
make, at his practice. more that 81, 500
or s.. 200 annually, No money is really
saved by low salaries. The Governors
salary is also ridiculauSly low, and 9TH
er State officers ought to be paid proper
salaries, and all fees shauld 60 into the
State treasury.
The Secretary OF State ought to
be elected by the people. No Office of
so much importance should be filled by
appointment.
my idea is to take time for such
elaboration, as to produce a Constitu-
ton suitable to the wants OF this grow
ing State, but not to interfere with the
emoluments OF any Office during the
term of present incumbent; let the next
set Of officers come in under new Con-
Stitution.
THE last Legislature dame as near
giving US registration law as is pos
sible under the present Constitution,
and we have seen what a useless thing
it is. The Constitution should be so
amended as to admit Of proper regis
tration law.
There are many other provisions Of
the Constitution that require amend
ment. am not in favor Of frequent
and uncalled for experimenting with
fundamental law, but it seems to me
that this is the time for the cool, DELHI
crate work that would result in Con-
stitution that would stand unchanged
for years TO come.
whether the Constitution in changed
or not Ohio county ought to have a
Criminal Court, such as Mr.. Wilson's
bill provides for. By the way, l see
Capt. Dovener quoted as opposed TO the