Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-02-13
GEO. M. SHOOK & CO.

meled exercise of their judgment which
il was the evident design Of tue Consti-
tuition they should have. And ii is this
proceeding which l say was extraor-
binary and, believe, unheard Of in the
adoption of any of the amendments to
the Constitution.
He says mo good reason was given
for it's passage te3ause no good rea-
son was given why it should
no. pass" This is strange
position for an intelligent rep
resentatlve TO assumed Have his con-
stituents whose dearest rights may be
affected by this act, and by whose aU-
thority alone he has power TO act, no
right to know why he goes out OF his
way to propose to change this revered
instrument? and why it was thought
necessary that our Senators should be
instructed upon matter of the high
est Importance which was not dis
cussed before the people when the
members of the Legislature were
elected. Surely my young friend did
not reflect when he wrote that sem
tence.
A gentleman of ability and distinc
tion, in letter speaking Of this action,
says: 81 am truly astOnished at the
haste exhibited In the passage OF reso-
luton frauGht with such serious re-
suits. Those who are moving In the
matter at Charleston have not stopped
to consider what such an amendment
means and how far it strikes at the
principle which liGerenttdteS our federal
system from Il consolidated Governments
They surely do not realize the radi-
cal change such an amendment
would work in our government or
thoy would act with more delibera-
ton. Besides it is no remedy for
the evils at which it processes
10 be aimed" The trainers
OF our constitution have carefully dis
tlnguished between the people OF a
State, acting In their organized cSpac-
ity as State, and the people OF the
State acting as individuals. And the
great statesmen of our country, especl-
ally OF the Democratic party, have al
WAYS insisted that 1t was essential to
the preservation of our liberties that
this distinction should be preserved.
To what extent the proposed amend
ment may tend 20 weaken the operation
OF this principle in our system OF gov
eminent, and 10 increase the tendencies
toward Capitalization is deserving Of
the most thoughtful consideration OF
the people and their representatives..
cannot believe that the people Of
the State expect their Representatives
to vote for so important a measure be-
cause one or more able gentlemen in
Washington may approve OF it; or eleven
State Legislatures, Influenced, perhaps,
by letters from Washington, have voted
for it, or that the people OF California
have done so. 1t impossible for any
of Mr.. Finley's constituents to receive
through the press knowledge of his
having offered this resolution and to
communicate with him before It's pass
age. Yet be thinks in so important
matter this was not undue hastel With
all due Difference I must beg leave TO
differ
If the Constitution must be changed
let IL be done with the elaboration and
the use of safe guards required by the
trainers thereof, and the Legislature
would relieve themselves OF much re-
sponsponsibilitY by allowing their con-
stituentS an opportunity Of expressing
their views on this important measure.
JAS. d. ARMSTRONG.
RO,nneu February 10, 1898.