Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1895-01-14
WEST VIRGINIA
STATE REPUBLICAN COMMITTEE.
CHAIRNAN's OFFICE,

STATE REPUBLICAN COMMITTEE.
CHAIRNAN's OFFICE,
KIxGwooD. w. Va, Nov. Is, 1924. J
PERSONAL
DEAR SRI have a letter from Re
publican OF influence in this State, earn
estly suggesting that orr State Committee
should have q meeting, and "apportlon
out" the more important work OF the next
LEGISLATURE. and have certain members
prepare bills upon such subjects as II Will
be thought best TO legislate on, in order
that all that ought 10 De done can be done
in the forty-fve days Of the session. he
suggests repeal of the cSpitation tax
(Which, IL seems, cannot be done without
amending Sec. , Of Art. 10 OF the Consl-
tution); that $50 worth Of personal proper
" be exempted from taxation "a doubtful
COnstitutionality, perhaps, under See. j.,
Art. 1O. He also tavors a0olishilg the
fee system on county officers; having a
treasurer and auditor, and doing away
with the Sheriff collecting taxes, and an
amendment 70 the Constitution for
the registration of voters il cities OF 5000
population and upwards.
Ii might De wen TO have policy mapped
out. out would one be agreed 10 by our
Committee be likely TO be acQuiesced ia by
our Legislators Would a meeting Of our
Committee 90 more harm than good II
you favor such a meeting, when ana where
ought it 10 be held And who besides
member should be invited 10 be present
Would il be wen TO have conference at
Charleston a day or so before the Leglsla-
ture meets, and invite all the Republican
members 70 be present
Our Constitution needs amendment, but
fear a Constitutional Convention would
wreck US. How would ii do TO have g
commission Of five appointed or elected,
giving the Democrats two members, 70 sit
during the recess between this and the
next Legislature, to frame amendments TO
the present Constitution, or present a re-
vised Constitution. 10 be submitted to the
people. Very truly yours,
VIM. NJ. o. DAWSON, Ch'm'n.
This is the programme as mapped
out a month and a half ago. Suisse
Queut proceedings show 1t is TO be car
ried out 10 the letter, the plain purpose
being TO mUzzle the members OF the
Legislature, who may desire to look
into, or debate important matters OF
legislation, and TO exclude their consti-
tuency from 3 fair knowledge Of the
purposes of legislation till IL is passed
aud on the statute books. As for sny
participation Ia the work OF legislation
by the Democrats, under this par
tlssn arrangement, the members OF
the minority might as we'll be at home.
Ii remains TO be seen il the big Re-
publican majority in the Legislature
will quietly submit to having their in
divlduality and rights set at naught in
this fashion aad to be hsrded and
driven by their political leaders like
cattle. Will they permit the manifest
unfairness Of barring the minority rep
rsssntatives from al! participation in
legislation? And, worse than that,
will they not only confne legislation
to ons party, but permit it TO be die
tated by msrs handful OF politicians?
Do they believe their constituents, the
people, would endorse such a surrender
Of the law-making body to partisan
politics
The Legislature is something more
than a msre political machine.