Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1895-01-17

which, WIFI SOmc ulnoi ShoH6SS' W.
be laid before you. The present pay OF
the National Guard in actual service is
too small and the term OF encampment
for drill is entirely too brief. While !
believe in the absolute government OF
this country by the civil authorities,
still good men cannot close their eyes
to the fact that forces are at work In our
country and exigencies may arise any
day which may require the vigorous and
timely action of the military.
The Governor urges more stringent
provision for the collection OF taxes on
the telegraph and express companies,
suggests the ACCESSIBILITY of taxing sleep.
ing cars. and advises the enactment oil
q law which will make the car trusts
bear their just proportion OF taxation.
He also advises that the insurance law
of the State be revised in order that the
issuance of wildcat" insurance CHAR
tiers may be prohibited. He also wishes
a law enacted placing building associa-
tions under the control of the state.
BOUNDARY CASE OF MARYLAND AGAINST
WEST VIRGINIA.
"This important case for the settle
ment of the boundary line between the
two States is progressing as well as It's
nature will admit. The interests OF
West Virginia are carefully protected
bv the encouragement of the State and
bv Messrs. Price and Flournoy, who,
under special appointment OF Governor
Fleming, have special charge OF the
case. recommend that the appropri-
ations asked for by counsel be made, as
they are absolutely necessary, and this
case is of great importance to west VIZ
ginia.
THE ROAD SYSTEM.
THE road system of this State is ut
terly bad and thousands of dollars are
yearly spent by us in constructing mere
temporary roads which are washed away
by the first seasons rain. | hope the
Legislature will revise the whole system
and introduce system of constructing
nermanent roads | have some views
upon this subject, but am informed that
the subject will be so carefully gone IN
to by the Legislature that | will refrain
from presenting them at this time.
ILLEGAL VOTING.
Speaking as one who has had some
experience in politics, my mature Judg-
ment is that the use of money In cleo
tions in any shape must be vigorously
arrested by the men who love their coun-
try. or this generation will surely see the
beginning of the end of the true repuo-
lican idea of government.
my experience is that want OF re-
gard for the electoral franchise is extend
ing to all sections, to the sparse as well
as the thickly settled district, to the
country as well as to the town, permeat-
ing all classes and alike detroying all
classes. At every election men are
bought and sold like cattle, and 1T is so
common that no longer is it remarked:
We cannot hope that this great evil VIII
be corrected by mere change OIL elec-
ton machinery or by an addition OF
greater penalties for any lnfractlon OF
the election laws. Something more will
be needed. A good, strong public opln-
ion, renewal, recognition and appllca-
ton of the principle that popular gov
eminent cannot survive except through
the popular will untrammeled and un-
interfered with by any other influence
than the desire for the supreme good OF
the land, is needed We must concede,
however, that the well-guarded ballot,
surrounded by system of laws punish
ing any one for violating its sanctlty, is
of great benefit. The Australian ballot
system, although very many ways have
been devised to defeat its provisions ano
to successfully land the corrupt vote in
the ballot-boX, must be recognized as a
great step forward in the way OF pure
elections. 1t has certainly done away
with some of the most apparent evils OF
our electoral system.
"As we plainly see that hedging the
ballot-boX with difficulties in the way
of the seduced voter has been step for
ward in the path of purer elections, sc
do | believe that increased penalties FOL
the infraction of the election laws vii
have a potent effect. We should haster
to reform these abuses and punish those
who have debauched the ballot-box anC
corrupted public opinion.
RECOMMENDATIONS.
ITO that end / recommend that the
present penalty for the sale of vote a.
an election be done away with, and thai
in lieu thereof there shall be substituted
the Acknowledgement and ineligibility
to office of voter found guilty of sell
ing his vote This penalty, backed by
strong, honest public opinion, viii
have good effect in this State and coun
try. The penitentiary is the penalty to
day for this crime, but the penitentiary
has no terrors for man bad enough t.
sell his vote. Let him who commits
this great crime and sells his birthrigh
be political pariah. The living exhib
it of one having no part or lot in the
government of his country, standing 81
lent and powerless on the day when The
citizens should be supreme, will be more
terrible than incarceration in the penn
Tertiary Imprisonment has been tried
and despite the penalty of the prison
this appalling evil is day by day spread
ing more widely over the country ant
sinking deeper into the life of the PEG
pie Truth and good taste direct me t.
say that these words are not intended
for Legislature differing from me il
political faith, but would have beer
spoken Just as earnestly to body com
posed of majority of my own politica
friends.