The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-02-27
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THE INTELLIGENcER.
WHEELING, FEBRUARY 81, 4 500.
The Lntc Legislature.

The people of West Virginia are no
doubt duly, thankful that the legislature
has adjourned without the necessity for
an extension of more than twenty-four
hours. In some respects. its history
will be memorable for the events that
occurred in the beginning. growing out
of the contests for control, and for the
rights Of the majority Of the legal vo-
tiers of the state.
Upon the points involved men differed
ture about 1t all being that the fight
over the differences, the struggle over
palpable injustices and frauds, as a
result of which the party which elected
a clear majority Of the members of the
legislature had that majority lessened,
consumed so much time that good legis-
lation was. of necessity, either hurried
through or ignored, and some bad Iegis-
lation got into the swim. and was pass
ed without proper consideration. In
some respects 1t was fortunate that
great many of the proposed measures
which would have damaged the reputa-
ton of the state, and retarded Its pro-
gress. failed to pass. Separating the
good things from the bad. when the
record is made up let us hope that the
former may counter-balancc the latter.
Aside from all this, there is a lesson
in the events which characterized the
session at the beginning which 1t may
found in the effect that will be lasting
enough to make the next state election
in West Virginia more definite In its
results. The Republican party. by the
determined stand it took, with refer
cnce TO the plan TO reverse the ma jority
on joint ballot by unseating men whose
elections had not been disputed, and
against the legality of whose titles
there had never been whisper. laid
down the principle that offenses OF this
nature must come to an end In this
state. The agreement which was forced
by this stand stopped the proceedings
that were being taken, which might
have resulted in a situation that would
always have been a matter of regret to
the people of the state.
The agreement resulted In averting
an emergency. and whatever may be
the opinions as TO the issues involved;
certain it Is that the lesson of 1t all
will not be forgotten. One thing
which the legislature could have done.
that would have been popular with the
general public, and would have averted
future occurrences such as have been
ton, would have been the revision of
the election laws by the correction of
its weak places that make possible dis
puted recounts and the changing of
ballots. That was neglected duty.
The great Importance of this question
Is to be considered for the future.
Honest results of fair elections can
be secured by safeguards which only
needed laws can give. II the course of
the Republican organization month
ago serves to force this realization on
the public the good effect will be as
sured. In the meantime, when history
!smade up. the good and wholesome
results of the lesson learned at Charles
ton will be apparent. This single
phase OF the general subject is not TO be
confused with the record of the lcgis-
lature concerning its legislative work,
and should be considered regardless OF
party.