Martinsburg weekly independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1873-1875, 1875-02-27


proposed branch asylum as kind
Of recompense for the loss was TO be
allowed with little or no opposi-
ton. This, within itself, however,
would be avery impolitic reason
for the expenditure of so large a
sum Of money, and the only gen.
uine argument to be dedueed from
| these facts is that the time for TAX
ing this step in view Of the capital
removal would be a very propi-
tious one. The real, and the very
correct argument in favor Of the
measure, is that the branch insti-
tuition is, and long has been an ac-
.uaI necessity. 1T is we'll under
stood that the asylum at Weston is
yet unfinished, and that it will
take large sum Of money to COM
plete it; much larger than to estab
lish a complete branch institution
Of its kind at the Salt Sulphur
Springs. The additional fact that
the asylum building at Weston,
even when it shall have been fully
completed, will not Accommodate
over tWo-thirds, ifindeed that large
a proportion of the insane people
of the State, also forms an impor-
tant part Of the argument in favor
of the establishment of the branch
asylum. / am surprised that the
Wheeling Notwithstanding by
this term, those who supported the
removal project, have SO changed
about from their position Of a week
since; but since that time the Sen
ato..al question has been settled,
and settled by giving the high po-
sition of United States Senator to
Allen Taylor Caperton, who halls
from q very few miles in the same
county, from the propo ed site for
the branch institution for the in
sane, and this fact has doubtless
exercised strong Influence in the
matter.
The probabilities for an adjourn
ed, or extended session are thought
to be very slim, though there is an
an immense suffieit of incomplete
and important Legislation 1t is
not thought the requisite two
thirds vote can be obtained. The
current session will therefore ex-
pire one week from to-day. B.
CHARLESTON, Feb. %, 1875.
To the Editors Of the Independent:
The Legislatures now endeavor-
ing, with q will, to make up for
the time squandered over the cap
ital removal and Senatorial ques-
tons, though it will be utterly i'm
possible for it to complete as much
as one-halfof the business laid out
for action. This will be a good
thing in one very important light,
and that is there was large sur
plus OF unnecessary and unsafe leg
islation proposed to be enacted, and
though there will be doubtless
some good and meritorious propo-
sitions sacrificed, or at least neglec-
ted for this term the principal por-
ton cut off will be so omitted 70
the benefit of the people at large.
The term comes to close Friday,
and it is not at all probable that an
extra session will be called, as it
would not BE possible to secure the
requisite tWo-thirdS vote in both
houses.
The committee of investigation
has not yet made its report but will
probably do so in the course of two
days This is about the only topic
of interest that is now left in sus-
pense before the legislature, and it
is not likely that anything will
come out of the investigation be-
You'd the publicity of the fact that
Auditor Bennett and Treasurer
Burdett have been guilty of viola
tons of good conscience. if not of
the common criminal law. The
latter is disputed by the accused of
ficers, but they seem to admit the
former charge. The report will be
made so near the end of the session
that no action of importance upon
the part of the Legislature, will be
possible, and unless the committee
or Governor be endowed with pow
er to carry out the good work of in
vestigation, it is likely that the
work will finally prove abortive.-
The developments thus far made
have been owing in a great degree
to j. Hanson Good, of Wheeling,
chairman of the investigating COM
mittee, whose resolute independ-
ence in the caucus and in the inves-
tigation have been admired by
many. The report, it VIII be I'M
derstood is still secret, but the
facts that / have before given in re-
lation to the State officers are al
ready notorious by their own agen-
cy as well as in other" confidenti-
alp ways that | could name if so
disposed.
The popular interest in legislat-
i've matters, since the settlement
of the Senatorial and capital mat