The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1872-02-07

CHARLESTON.
AdjourninS the LeEislature-The
Special Bill Nuisance-The new
judiciary System-ProbabIe Ex.
pense Of the COnventiOn--The APP
prOpriatiOn Bill, &c, &c.

Spec1al Bill NUlsdhce-AhS hV"
Judiciary System-ProbabIe Ex.
pense Of the COnventiOn--The APP
preparation Bill, &C., &c.
CHARLESTON, January 81, 1872.
The House passed, several days since,
joint resolution to adjourn on the
morning of February 18th, but at the
suggestion of some OF the advocates Of
The measure in the House. the rcsolu-
ton was on Monday, laid on the table
in the Senate. The reason assigned is,
the Senate being the smaller body can
be ready to adjourn at any time it may
suit the House, but it is yet doubtful
about the House being able 10 clear its
calendar by the 18th. AS soon as the
Senate understands that the House can
have it's business in shape to adjourn on
the 18th, the resolution will lie taken
up and promptly passed.
The bane oflegislation in this Stale
is the private and special acts demanded.
At least four-fiths of all the bills now
before the Legislature, are Of this
nature, and ought not never to have
been introduced and should not be en-
tertained; but a practice Of so long
standing, and in which 50 many in
terests are concerned, will not be easily
broken up. Nothing short OF Con-
stitutional prohibition will put a stop
TO this vicious and mischievous practice
and | am gratitied to learn from mem
bers of the Convention committee on
the Legislative Department, that there
is little doubt but such prohibition
will be proposed in the new Consttu-
ton. There is no diversity of opinion
| in that committee, on this subject, and
hope there is as great unanimity
among the members Of the Convention
have mailed you, from time to time
as they came into my hands, the various
plans" proposed by distinguished mem
bers of the Convention, for the organiza.
ton of the Judiciary. You may find
the plan proposed by Gen. Wheat, OF
your own county, possessed Of sufficient
merit and local interest, to justify lis
publication in full in the REGISTER.
1t now appears pretty certain that the
Judiciary committee will report some
plan similar, in many respects, to the
old County Court system, dividing the
counties into Magisterial Districts, and
providing for the election, in each dis
trict, of one or more Justices. Once in
each wear these Justices shall meet at
the Court House and make the annual
county levies for general, poor, and
school purposes, and transact such
other business as the laws shall devolve
upon them. An additional Justice to
be known as the Presiding Justice shall
be elected, who, together with two Of
the other Justices 10 be selected by lot,
shall compose a County Court; which
Court shall meet monthly for the trial
of all minor cases, civil and criminal.
The Presiding Justice shall receive a
per diem while actually engaged in his
official duties, OF S. per day, and the
Associate Justices 50. This is much
akin to the system that prevailed in
Ohio thirty years ago. when mullet-
heads and inflated tools called Associ,
ate Judges dispensed injustice with
serene disregard OF all law and right
that was truly wonderful.
The Convention committee on Taxa.
ton and Finance made partial report
to-day. understand that no material
change from the present Constitutional
provisions on the subject is proposed.
1t looks as il the Convention would
complete its labors by about March lst,
and adjourn. The appropriation to
paw the entire expenses Of the Convex
ton, will not exceed $50, 900. This will
greatly distress Governor Stevenson, the
Intelfqencer and &c. p" who were so
fond OF figuring this item at something
like 100000. But there is this con-
ISOLATION: the loss OF these gentlemen is
the gain of the public. We may all
sympathize with them, but we cannot
accommodate them by being ex-
travagaut with the peoples money.
Speaking above Of special legislation
reminds me that Mr.. Barr, Of Ohio
county, as chairman Of the House Ju.
dietary committee. reported against the
passage of every bill Of this nature,
(upon which it is truly inexpedieut to
legislate,) and has bravely fought for
higher standard Of legislative action;
but he and his committee have in
many instances been overruled by the
House. Too many members have bills
of like nature to put through" for
their own constituents. Mr.. Barr stands