The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1866-01-26
House of Delegates.
THURSDAY, Jan 25

THURSDAY, Jan. 20.
Prayer by Rev. Alex. Martin.
From the Standing committee the fol-
lowing bills were reported: "a Bill to
construct mill-dam across Elk river at
Sutton, BraXton county" "a Bill
amending the charter of the town of
Clarksbnrg, to allow said town to en-
large her borders. "a Bill amending
the charter of the town of Triadelphia,"
granting power to said corporation to
erect town hall, market house, work
house, Jail, watch house, to organize fire
companies, purchase engines, &c. "a
Bill regulating the election OF township
assessors, and fixing their term of office "
By the provisions of this bill assessors
hold their Office for two years
The committee on Arts and Sciences
reported adversely to granting the petit
| ton asking the passage of law to pre-
vent the destruction OF fish in the waters
Of the Potomac river in this State; and
that it was inexpedient to employ
State geologist or State engineer.
EHouse Bill No. 3, legalizing the pay
ment of money by superintendent of
Schools to Treasures of counties for the
use of free schools, was passed.
House Bill No. 4, requiring all persons
not under twenty-one or over fifty years
of age, who have resided one month in
the State, to perform annually four days
work upon the public roads, was passed.
House Bill Ne 6 to extend the time
allowed the civil officers of the counties
of Pendleton and Hardy in which to
qualify, was passed
House Bill No. ., allowing negroes the
right to testify in the Courts, was taken
up. The question being on its passage,
Mr.. Bell, of Doddridge, said he was
opposed to the passage of the bill; in
his county he was regarded as radical,
but he could not favor the idea of adj
hitting uneducated negroes to the wit
ness stand. Such legislation was but
giving aid and comfort to the enemies
of the new State. Let rs educate the
blacks before we give them this priv
lege The effects Of the recent hasty &C.
ton OF Congress on the negro question
was to be seen in the result of the char.
ter election on Monday, If we did not
wish the Democrats to gain the control
of the State, we had better let the ne.
gro alone.
Mr. Maxwell, of Tucker, said he could
see no reason for hasty action in this
matter our neighboring States did not
lege, and by the passage of this bill we
invited and encouraged negro emigTa-
ton to our State.
Mr. Davis, of Hampshire, said he was
favorable to negroes testifying against
negroes, but did not think it yet time to
admit them to bear testimony against
the whites. To afford time to amend the
bill SO as to accomplish this object, he
moved to lay the bill on the table.
Mr. M'Whorter, of kanawha, opposed
the motion to lay on the table.
The motion to table was lost: yeas ~;
nays 22.--Messrs, Bell and Curtis, of
Ohio, voting nay. Mr. Hornbrook was
absent
Mr. Riddle, of Richie, Mt length, and
with his accustomed statesmanlike ges-
lures. set forth his reasons for favoring
the emancipation of the slave; he could
now see no right why we should DENY
them the privileges of freemen
Mr. kellar, of Barbour, [said he was
opposed to giving any such privileges to
negroes; we did not wish to encourage
the emigration of negroes from all parts |
of the country to West virginia. l
stand here as the representative of Bar
bour county, and never will vote any
such privileges to be conferred uponIthe |
negro. He was opposed to uniting
breeds if you cross fist and hound |
they will kill sheep, and if you mix the
white and black races you will have a
mean set of mulattoes, dispised by the |
whites and honest negroes.
Mr. Golf, of Harrison, said there were |
breakers ahead, and the Union party of |
West Virginia would do well to tread
cautiously; let us watch as well as pray.
For my part l am opposed to negro
equality; cannot favor the passage of !
the bin now, but am in favor of postpon-
ing it until next week.
Mr.. Hagans, of Preston, thought the
objection to the bill could soon be rem
edisd; all opposing it grounded their op-
position upon the idea that the negro
was not educatsd.
On motion the bill was tabled. and