The daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1863-1864, 1863-11-25
HOUSE OF DELEGATES.

Prayer by ReV. II. w. FISHER.
A communication from the Senate an
nounced the passage Of the Sandy Valley
Coal Railway Bill, with amendments. The
Bill and amendments were referred to the
Judiciary Committee.
Mr.. Ruffner, from the committee on coun.
ties, townships, ETC., to whom We're referred
the petition of citizens of Wheeling, asking
that the Act, making two branches of the
City Council, be repealed, reported that
they deemed it inexpedient to legislate at
the present time.
Mr.. MGrew, from the Committee on
Taxation and Finance, reported Bill ma,
king appropriations for State expenses. 1t
appropriates S65,3O2 As.
Mr.. Dawson called up House Bill No.
l34, making an appropriation for repairing
bridge near Webb's Mills, in the county
Of Ritchie.
Mr.. D. spoke in favor of the passage OF
the Bill, as it greatly facilitated the trans
portation of Government stores, etc.
Mr.. M'Grew opposed the passage Of the
Bill, and hoped the House would rejectt it.
Mr.. Wheat also opposed the Bill; let the
county fix the road His county would fix
her roads; when the other bridge Bill was
ap. he voted for it because it was a needed
Improvement.
The Speaker-W hat bridge does the
gentleman allude to.
Mr.. Wheat--Why the. Buffalo bridge.
The Speaker-That is not in the Bill,
and consequently not before the House,
Mr.. Wheat know it amt but its in
my speech.
After further discu ssion vote was taken,
when the Bill was rejected: Yeas 9;
nays 80.
On motion of Mr.. Rufner, the report in
relation to the City Councils of Wheeling
was taken up.
Mr.. Ross said he had several other peti
tions on the same subject; he had been in
formed that the two Branch system did not
give entire satisfaction; it was not only an
additional expense to the city, but delayed
action, as there was frequently quorum
in one branch when there was not in the
other; by this arrangement bills had to lay
over from time to time, much to the au-
noyance of some of the citizens
Mr.. Lamb said there was great diversi.
ty of opinion in regard to this matter; it
was said that the two branch system would
save the city thousands of dollars annually,
aud he could not see where there was so
much expense attending it, as there was but
an additional clerk employed. II any ac-
tion was taken in the matter, it would be
best to submit it to vote of the people at
the next election.
Mr.. Ruffner said the committee were of
the opinion that the act had not been in
force long enough to allow the people to
judge its merits; 1t was passed in January
last, by the old Legislature, and the commit
tee did not think this proper time to re-
pesli it.
Mr.. Wheat was opposed to the idea OF
this House interfering with the local affairs
of any city. He thought there was com
mon sense and patriotism enough in the city
of Wheeling to confds the affairs of the city
to, and, therefore, hoped the House would
leave it to them.
Mr.. Ross said he was actusted only by
the spirit of the petitions which had been
placed in his hands. 1t had been said there
was no additional expense attending the two
branch system, except the pay of a second
clerk. Did it not require an additiousl
room and more fires2 He hoped the Hous-
would sustain him in his motion, and reverse
the report of the committee
Mr.. Lamb was confident the two branch
system was saving to the city instead OF
az expense. There were between two an 4
three toousand voters in the city of Wheel
ing; there had been two hundred names