The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1873-12-25
LETTER FROM CHARLESTON.
Leader Wanted
Appropriation Bill TrouDies-
State Finances. Etc.

Appropriation Bill IrouDies-
State Finances. Etc.
CHARLEsToN, Dec. 221, 1873,
This morning the tenth session OF the
West Virginia Legislature closed sine
die, and passed out of existence except
convened in extra session by the Gov
ernor-au event not likely to happen.
l wish could say that it took with 1t
the gratitude OF the people and the re-
grets OF all. But ! cannot, and tell the
truth, and it is well known that |
would rather have ten thousand dollars
IAN to tell lie and be obliged to give
Il my little hatchet.
There have been too many indiyldu-
al and sectional interests to subserve,
too little desire 10 aid each other in
advancing the general interests Of the
State, and too great prepondersnce Of
the "mossy-back' element to make the
late Legislature one TO be favorably re-
membered. They have passed q great
many good laws and have corrected,
wisely, a good many errors OF former
legislation, but they have failed to ad-
vance their party interests by such leg
islstion as would rebound to the inter-
ests OF all This ia particularly true OF
the House. The Senate was conser-
vative and dignifed body, and seemed
possessed OF desire to do the work be-
fore it promptly and well. Under the
leadership OF Senators Camden and
Bennett very few errors were made, aud
they can point with pride to the legis-
lation oftheir branch during the session.
In the House it was different. Filled
with men Of ability, it lacked
a pronounced leader and the result was
that there were as many leaders as
members, and each leader had but one
follower-bimself After General Pan
neps arrival he at once assumed lead
ing position but his advent was too
lat. in the season for him to attempt
to correct the evils growing out OF the |
OF affairs above mentioned, and the
old style OF thing continued, the House
resembling a boys base ball convention
where everybody spoke at once and
each for himself, rather than body OF
dignified law makers.
For the last two days the House has
been auarrelling over the Appropriation
Bill, and lively quarrel it has. been
To have you understand matters
must explain: There is in the House
party whose opposition TO the Normal
Schools is positive and pronounced.
They have lost no opportunity to lesis-
late them out OF existence. They claim
hat these Normal Schools are nothing
but county high schools, and that
there are too many OF them. When
the Appropriation bill came up there
was in it an appropriation OF 5000
each, for the Normal Schools, Marshall
College and the University at Morgan
town. Those opposed to the Normal
Schools were just strong enough 10 de-
feat the bill if the appropriations re
msined in it and those who favored
The schools were just strong enough TO
prevent the passage OF the bill il the
appropriations mentioned were omitted.
The consequence is that the sppropria-
ton bill went to the table and there it
lies, dead as ancient Uncle Ned. This
action will cause great deal OF trou-
bic in the State outside OF the Schools
For example, the State owes Wyoming
county $1,000 on account OF redemption
Of forfeited lands. This sum was in
the bill, and the people of Wyoming
county expecting 10 get this sum TO carry
Do the county government for the en-
suing year have levied no tax for county
purposes, 90 you see they will be in
nasty fx, financially, for the year to
come. Other counties have levied only !
q small sum, expecting TO receive suf-
fcieut moneys from the State 10 pay
current expenses, and these, too, will
have tough time getting through.
The fnancial condition OF the State
is causing a good deal OF uueasiness
and a thousand rumors are flying about.
These have got to. such proportions
that it was deemed absolutely necessary
TO have an investigation TO ascertain
what truth there was in them, go the
House has appointed committee to in'
vestigate the affairs Of the Auditors
and Tr.asurer's Offices that the truth
might be made known, Messrs. Pan
nell, Cofran and Rogers were appoint
such committee, 90 Friday last, TOO late
for them 10 do anything before adjourn
meut. In an interview with Treasurer
Burdett few days since, in relation 10
these rumors be ssid, Il have dore
Just what honestly srd conscientious
lv believed to be my duty in regard to
the State funds. Your people il Whee.-
that We keep larger balances
here than in the banks Of your city.
When the Radicals had charge Of the
State government, although they placed
the money where they pleased and 10
such amounts as pleased them, there
was no complaint from those who were