The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1872-03-18


pected TO Live.
Special Correspondence Of the Register
CHARLESTON, March II.
All that was done in the Convention
to-day was to reduce the per diem Of
members Of the Legislature from four
dollars to three. Upon three several
occasions heretofore the Convention
has voted upon this question and re-
fused to change the report in this
respect, but this morning the advocates
Of a cheap form Of government, rather
than a good one, renewed the fight, and
their effort was rewarded with success
in pinching the members Of the Legls-
lature. In itself it is not a matter OF
overwhelming importance, but 1t serves
to show how difficult the Convention
finds it to reach conclusion that shall
be absolute and final. Somebody may
move tomorrow to reconsider the vote
of to day, and, as the Chair has ruled
that debate upon the merits OF the
question is allowable when motion to
reconsider is pending, the whole debate
may be again sent whirling around
through this veritab!e Cave Of the
Winds" Members seem very reluctant
to call for the "previous question: lest
it may be at some time applied to ex-
tinguish them, and so the everlasting
palaver goes on, day after day.
/ believe the members Of the Con-
vention are earnestly DESTROYS of max.
ing a good Constitution, and such a
one as the people will cordially approve
No one can question their industry or
speak sligbtingly Of the labor they
undergo. But the most casual observer
cannot fail to see that there is too much
talking, and that the progress is too
slow. Carefulness is undoubtedly a
good thing, but when it results in a
stand still at cost OF about three hun.
drei dollars a day, it may be carried TO
an uncomfortable excess.
The question having been first taken
on the motion made BY Mr.. Jackson, OF
Wood, to strike out the word -four,
and being decided in the affirmative,
the same gentleman moved to insert
three"
Mr.. Pannell, who believes that poor
pay produces poor work, thought thai
If the Convention wanted to make
regular Cheap John Constitution it
would better carry the matter to its
fullest extent, and he therefore moved
10 amend Mr.. Jackson's motion by
Inserting 1.-TWO" instead OF three"
The latter motion did not prevail and
the pay of members Of the Legislature
was thus fixed at Three Dollars per day,
as before.
Mr.. Miller, who was also opposed to
the reduction, moved 10 carry the mat
ter Of economy still further by paying
mileage at the rate Of three cents per
mile rather than ten, and made a
motion to that effect, but the Convention
refused to make the change.
A proposition was introduced by Mr.
Price 10 day to prohibit by Constitution
al provision the passage Of any law
permitting parties in interest to testify
iu their own behalf in any case, unless
called by the adverse party. 1t was
under discussion when the Convention
adjourned. don't think it will be
adopted; certainly it should not be.
The fifth section OF the report OF the
Committee on the Legislative Depart
ment was stricken out on motion OF
Mr.. Faulkner. 1t authorized the Legis-
lature at any time TO divide each Sena-
toral District into two, Of which each
should elect one Senator independently
OF the other.
Auditor Bennett has returned to the
city, and Colonel Lewis is expected to
return this week.
Colonel B. H. Jones, of Greeubrier,
one Of the secretaries Of the Convention,
is dangerously i'll. His wife has been
sent for, and it is not likely he will
survive many weeks. His physician
permits no one 10 see him, and ! regret
TO learn that his case is considered well
nigh hopeless. l..
An ahva n.bo,. ~ .t~ Suk,.o. ~