Martinsburg statesman. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1869-1906, 1905-01-20

the GmOCIdtS anu StdNSu fAia+lo'
Peabody is not coutent and has fled
a notice OF contest.
Governor Whites message to the
legislature printed in pamphlet form
covers SO pages, is well written and in
the main a good document. 1t con-
tains not a few splendid suggestions
and recommendation TO the legisla-
ture covering needed legislation.
Among important recommendations
in the message we note the following:
That there be a law enacted, as au-
thorized by the constitution, provid
ing for the registeration of all voters.
This, we must say, in justice to the
Governor, was recommended by him
two ears ago but the legislature fail
Ell to perform It's duty in that respect
He also makes 9th er recommended
tious along this line i'll amendments
to our election law. In our humble
judgment there is nothing so much
needed as an effective law regulating
ELECTIONS The present law is 50 de-
fective that its most important points
are easily evaded or totally disregard
ed and the elections il the st ate have
become nothing but season Of cor
ltp.ion and debauchery, the greatest
possible menace to public morals and
our political institutions.
On this subject the Governor says
'Our present election laws need
thorough revision in order to make
them more effective, IF L constitu-
tional amendment should be submit
ted ard adopted providing for a Sc
cret ballot, some of the evils will be
done away, but no all. The new cleo
ton laws should provide Tor devices
appearing at the head OF each ballot
and permitting a mark in a circle un-
der that device to indicate he voters
preference. The law should also pro-
vide that but one party should be
su ljected TO punishment in the buy
ing or selling OF votes. There is a diff
ference of opinion as to which party
to the transaction it would be most
effective to punish. If only on. is to
be punished the ether can be induce d
in many cases, to testify and secure
conviction. The punishment should
be fixed at disfranchisement tor a
term of years, say five years. There
would be less trouble in enforcing the
law with this kind of penalty, and
it would probably be more effective
than a law imposing a fine or impris-
on ment. The entire chapter S of the
Code should be revised, and especial
ly section 8. A clause should be added
making it the duty of the prosecuting
attorney to have the grand jury after
eI cry [ lee ION make full inv st G tion
OF all { ection matters by summonirg
all the members of different political
committees, The evidence should be
taken down by a stenographer and
written out and submitted to the
court and it made the duty OF the
Judge to convene another grand jury
If, in his opinion, any indictments
w-re omitted to be brought which
Saudi have been. Section s If chap
ter 40 should be amended so as to
include all election Ulcers, making it
their duty to il form the prosecuting
attorney OF any vic, alton OIL thu penal
LAWS coming to their knowledge There
are of cours e, many other matters to
consider in framing an elective cleo
t on law, and commend the con-
81 Iteration OF this matter to the careful
and earnest attention OF the legisla-
tNe,wilh the hope that some effective
legislation will be had "
Upon the subject Vi a state dispen-
sary law the Governor recommend 5
that a commission be appointed to
gather information and report its
findings al a succeeding session. He
recommends strong and effective
Nv against lynching, that the mini
mum school term in all districts be
raised from four months to six and