The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1873-03-15

amendments being made thereto. al.
though all contribute to the importance
of the bill.
The Committee having arisen. Mr..
Coffran indicated his purpose 70 move
an indefinite postponement OF the bill
az il was not likely TO pass upon its
final test. He stated also that he had
counted noees and ascertained that such
would be the result, and that if his mo-
ton was carried he would then move
the appointment Of a special committee
to draft bill that would be more satis-
factory.
Mr.. Morrison said that three DAYS
had already been consumed by the bill,
and az many more we're likely to be
required, before it could be completed.
He was opposed to going any further
with a bill which was manifestly un-
Just and not likely to prove satisfactory
with the people.
Mr.. Knots of Calhoun, hoped that
the three days work upon the bill,
would not be thrown away at that etage
in the consideration thereof The
House, he thought would be better able
to decide upon the merits Of the bill,
when it was az near perfect as 1t could
be made; that il it was found necessa-
nv to change the bill materially, or
adopt substitute therefor, to reconcile
the differences upon it, it could be done
as the House proceeded with it, but be
trusted that the members would not
consent to go back and commence agaio.
Mr.. Davenport said that he held in
his rand a substitute for the bill, which
he had drawn with care, and proposed
to offer. He was opposed to the system
of making the poor men and boys OF 8
road district, construct and work the
roads therein. He was in favor OF tax.
ing property to build and maintain pub
lie highways, 80 that foreign real estate
and property holders should bear their
lust proportion OF the cost OF keeping up
! roads. He said also that this, besides
being simple justice to all parties would
tend to the development OF the State, by
the nonresident property holders being
pressed to dispose OF Their wild and up-
improved lands by the tax that would
be laid upon them for this puspose.
Mr. Spates was of the opinion that
the bill was unconstitutional, however
much it WAS amended and he thought
that it was very illadvised to proceed
further with it
Mr. Floyd, Chairman ofthe Commits
tee which reported the bill, stated, with
regard to the constitutionality thereof,
that it was in the power OF the courts
only to decide points OF that nature.
He thought that the bull could be
amended 20 as to he sufficiently satis-
factory to justly its passage. He
would vote, however, to levy a tax up
on property to construct and malptain
roads.
Mr.. Davenport said that it was the
sworn duty of the members OF the
Legislature to take no steps that do not
conform 70 the Constitution, and that 1t
was therefore their duty to weigh well
the Constitutional bearing OF every
question entertained upon the floor OF
either house. ..
Mr.. Knots, OF Marion, thought that
it was unbecoming the dignity OF a
mem Der to be found counting noses,
especially 30 to publicly announce the
fact; that no reasonable member could
tell at that time how he would vote up
on the bill when completed; and that
as the bill stood, he, himself, could not
consistently vote for it, bit he expected
to propose amendments. that il adopted,
will do away with his objections to it.
Mr.. Brown said that the voice OF the
people was being raised against the
Legislature, for its apparent want OF
industry, and disposition to waste time
gratuitously. He was in favor OF hav-
ing the bill made the special order OF
Saturday, and Unnecessary, OF havlngt
more sessic rs, in order that more busl.
ness might be dispatched; and though
that action upon the subject Of the
bill under consideration was very nec-
J essary ard he wished to have it dispos-
ed Of
Pending the motion Of Mr.. Knots,
of Calhoun, to make the bill the
special order for Saturday al q o'clock.
| Ga motion of Mr.. Foley the House, at
6:35 o'clock NJ. adjourned,