Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1873-04-22
WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE

The Charleston Courier, of the 7th inst.
commences the publication of the acts passed
by the Legislature, aud expects to complete
them in about twelve numbers of the weekly
We shall copy the most important.
In noticing the adjournment, the Courier
says: "Ihe results from their four months
Iabors ha.ebeen very satisfactory, and though
the legislature will not escape the abuse with
which it is customary to attack such bodies,
its members can return to their homes con-
WINGED that they have done as much as could
have been expected of them under the cir>
cumstance9. There have been, of course,
some measures passed which many would
have preferred not seeing enacted, and the
fact that some questions have not been settled,
will cause disappointment to others. They
have endeavsrcd, however, to meet the de-
mands of the public, and have, taking it al
together. acquitted themselves we'll. The
difficulties attending Legislation this session
will in time be appreciated, and when the
laws are disseminated among the people and
their practical working is seen, due need will
be given to their trainers. The papers of the
opposition will do all they can to place before
the people the most unfavorable construction
of the work Of the Legislature, and Demo-
Gratis should pass 30 censure until they have
given its proceedings their careful cousidera-
ton"
from other exchanges We make the follow
ing extracts:
"a gentleman from Preston county, the
representative of the strongest radical oonstit-
uoDcy in West Virginia, member of the late
State Constitutional Convention, and at press
ent member of the House of Delegates, a
republican of the straightest and most uucom>
promising type, but gentleman oe honor and
veracity, in conversation with US, stated, in
emphatic language, that he believed the dem
ocratic hnd conservative members of the pres
ent Legislature of West Virginia, were the
most earnest conscientious body Of public SER
wants that ever assent ed in this or any other
State. Their chief and only aim seemed to be
to do the greatest good to tho greatest number,
and if they erred in any legislation it was an
''error of the head and not tho heart" He
gave pointed illustration Of their liberalty
regarding his own county. The people of
Preston county were exceedingly anxious to
secure an appropriation to survey route for
n contemplated railroad connecting the IL. d
o. Il. IL, with the l'it:sburg ard ConnclIs-
vile railroad, and he said that being the re-
publican representative Of the strongest
publican county in the State he was afraid
that the democrats and conservatives in the
Legislature wou!d view his bill with partizan
prejudice, and he felt indeed delicacy in pre-
senting it. especially as number of similar
favors were being asked by delegates from
strong democratic counties. He was however
induced by leading democratic members of the
Legislature to present his bill, aud whilst
similar appropriations were denied to demo-
cratic counties the appropriation was allowed
to Preston. lie mentioned this as corrobora-
tive of the liberal and catholic spirit which
per"oded all Legislation of the past session."
[NortinsJurg Statesmen.
Taking it all in all we think the present
Legislature as successful one as our State
has yet been blessed with. The party that
made the new State and tho Constitution of
1863 did not accomplish more in six years. in
the way of getting the laws into shape, than
has been done by our present Legislature in
the single session inst closed.
Norganto,cH Constitution.