The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-02-07


amendatory to the election law. 1t was
introduced by cambridge, (Dem.) OF
Jefferson, and provided for the apoiut-
ment by the governor OF special officers
or constables at election precincts. 1t
was under discussion in the judiciary
committee Saturday and occupied con-
siderable time. 1t seems that Mr. Dapd-
ridge was not familiar with its proyis-
ions at the time he introduced it, as he
expressed himself as being opposed to
it. Tho bill was championed by Hon.
Stewart Walker Dem and several 9TH
ers we're strongly in favor OF it. Mr..
Floyd, (Rep. Of Kanawha, led the OPP
position, and he, too, found a number
OF others to support him, No decision
was arrived at and II yet remains to be
seen whether a Democratic committee
is willing to commit itself to q force
bill" measure.
A CAUCUS HELD,
A caucus or conference on the part OF
the Democratic members was held in
the hall Of the house tonight. oicourse
the doors were closed and none but the
faithful know exactly what transpired.
Whether the talked OF "force bill" will
be offered or not cannot be told at pres
emit except by the elect and they won't
tell The Democrats claim 1t was ono
OF the most innocent gatherings IN the
world. They simply met to discuss
WAYS and means and what was best for
the people. Tho weight Of responsible
ity they are bearing is terrible. They
stagger under it, and 1t takes their
united shoulders 10 bear the burden.
Butthey lear the little band OF Republi'
cans may outwit them in come OF their
pet schemes. This is why they caucus
cd tonight.
1t is said there was quite diversity
OF opinion in regard to the advisability
Of passing q measure placing the APP
pointment OF election officers in state
hands. They claim that as the Demo-
cratic party alone will be responsible
for the legislation passed this winter,
they should confer with each other and
decide upon concerted action, so that
no blunders may be made, andthey may
goforth conqueringand to conquer. The
session lasted we'll on into the night
and the purport OF what was done will
best be gathered from future Journals oil
the house andsenate.
Very strong opposition to the bill has
developed among Democrats who
honestly believe it is an iniquitous
measure and are consistent in opposing
all measures which tends to centralize
power and take from the counties the
privileges Of "home rule"
OPPOSITION FROM AN ORGAN,
The Daily Gazette, the Democratic
organ OF the Kanawha Valley, came out
Saturday strongly denouneing tho bill
in the following LANGUAGE:
Our legislature is debating the pro-
priety OF taking away from the county
courts the power OF supervising aud
I certifying the results OF elections, and
placing those duties in the hands OF
county boards to be appointed by the
povernor.
It is one Of the dangers of repre-
sentative government like our own that
not the voter alone may become cor
rupted, but the election officers as well
may, by bribery or through judgment
perverted by partisan bias, betray tho
rights they are sworn TO protect and
falsify the expression Of the peoples
will, Such things have been done, and
will be done again, as the growing FREE
quency OF that character OF events
clearly indicates. But whom We have
reached a point in our political pro-
Rress that the confession must be made
that the people cannot trust tho serv-
ants whom they have chosen, then can
dor demands that it DO authoritively
stated that our form oil government is
fraud and sham, and should be al
tered. We are not yet ready to second
any assertion to that effect. We believe
tho masses OF the people to be in favor
OF honest service on tho part of their
servants, and we believe that the large
majority OF public servants are honest,
and that because an instance or two OF
grave dereliction has taken place to
serve party ends, yet these are excep-
tions to the rule.
AGAINST PRINCIPLE.
Democratic principle is in its essence
opposed to one man power-to central.
ICED power. Home rule is cardinal
feature Of pure Democracy, from which
no departure can safely be made. Not
ever to achieve a party victory. No
party protesting principles can violate
any one Of them without suffering from
aninevitable reaction.
Tho Democratic patty OF West Vir-
ginia should how to the Democratic
line, let the chips fall where they may.
The most dangerous thing in any gov
ernment is the one man power, and no
party that ever existed can sanction 1t
with less consistency than tho Demo-
cratic.
II is far better to suffer defeat for a
principle than to succeed through Its
betrayal. The lattor course may sub
serve tho onds and aims, and agree with
tho views, OF tho professional politician
who sees nothing in party but q mas
chine for oeice getting, but twill not
recommend itself TO people ondoavor.
ing to preserve their FREQ Institutions
from decay, Party 6xpediency is party
honesty No party can abandon It's
principles andretain the confidence and
support Of lie members. That lesson Is
taught ug ovory year or two. 1t la
shown In the utter ruin which hos over
taken but recently tho powerful Rcpub.
licah organization that descended from
lofty TO vicious principles for tho rake
Of the plumber purchased by party
triumph.
Tet tho West Virginia Democracy
plant itself squarely on toe homcly aud
honest platform OF doing right irtospec'
1.-Two OF consodupncea, and IL can never