Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-09-26

We ought 10 StahS AoH =
and Honest Expression of the Pop
ular Will, Undoubtedly Will Conn
mand Wide Attention and Unfver-
sal Approval.
At yesterdays session of the Fed
eral Court, opening the term in Wheel
ing, Judge J. ]. Jackson delivered a
charge notable for it's references to
political matters. The Court, with a
comprehensive recognition OF the Sit
nation. of the tendency to the cor
rupt use of money, realizing very
fully the growing tendency to the de-
bauchery Of the ballot, and citing CO.
piously from the Federal law i'll rela-
ton to the conduct of elections a5o
the free and lawful expression OF pub
lie opinion at the polls, sounded note
of warning, which ought to anc VIII
impress the good citizens of this state.
Judge Jackson well says that judges
ought to have no interest in party pol
itics. unnecessarily disclaims his per-
sonal interest in political affairs, Dut
announces properly his intention IN
the future, as in the past, 70 enforce
the law without fear or favor, and TO
see to it that anyone who lnfrlnSes
the statutes made by Congress to en-
sure purity at the ballot box Will be
nunished. This determination will be
commended. 1t is high time sucn
admonitions came from the bench, and
that Judge Jackson will carry out his
announced purpose is undoupted.
Fraudulent voting, the corrupt use Oh
money and kindred matters have no
proper place in popular elections.
That the franchise has been abused
and outraged in West Virginia N
times past is unodubted. We should
have no more of it, and with judge
on the Federal bench appointed by
Abraham Lincoln the people are as
sured of a fair election and an honest
expression of their opinion.
That portion of Judge Jackson's
charge which applies to political mat
tiers is here appended in full:
Gentlemen of the Grand Jury-You
have been summoned upon this oc-
casion to review the acts of your fell
low citizens, if any of them have been
charged with any crime or oHense
against the Federal statutes. The
duty assigned to a grand jury IS a
very important one. You are TO pass
first upon any charge or offense that
may be brought before you in order TO
determine whether or not the person
who stands charged with the otfense
shall be indicted and prosecuted. In
der our institutions this is a wise pro-
vision of the law, because the grand
Jury Is supposed to be a body COM
posed of intelligent citizens who can
be relied upon for their integrity 10
do Just what is right and proper be-
tween the government and the cltl-
zen. It was originally an English in
stitution and we have copied 1t froln
the English government. 1t is a wise
institution because it forms protec-
ton to the rights of the citizen and
il properly administered it is not only
protection to the citizen, but 1t is a
protection to the government as Well
in the enforcement of the laws OF the
country.
You will possibly have very import
ant matters before you upon this &C.
casion to consider under the various
statutes of the United States; but be-
! fore entering upon the consideration
OF other business that will likely come
before you l wish to make some gen.
eral remarks to you in relation to the
rights of the citizens of this country
growing out of the elective franchise
and the exercise of which right is very
soon to take place both under the
laws of the Federal government and
of the State government
Importance of Pnre Elections.
Have you. gentlemen of the grand
jury, ever weighed and considered how
vital a pure election is to the welfare,
prosperity and happiness of our eoun-
try? We live under a government
representative government-founde
upon the assent of the people. There
is no government in the world like
ours. There never has been one, SO
far as we have any knowledge of his
tory, that approaches this govern
ment in the protection of the rights
and liberties of the citizen. | have
just remarked to you that it is found
ed upon the assent of the people How
is that assent expressed as to who
shall govern the country and execute
the laws? 1t is through the ballot
box When you reflect for moment
that the source of all power in this
country, which is granted to the off,
GERS who execute the laws OF the land
from the President of the United
Statas down amanafaS frnrn what