Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1875-02-20

TIE WoRK OF THE LEG1sLATURE.-lt
will nroye q matter of intense interest 10
the people of this state to know what the
LEGISLATURE is doing in their behalf. AS
far as we knox. we shall briefly tell them
and we are sorry that a very short space
Is required to do so. We are Democratic
TO the very core, but not so much so as 10
shield the truth from the people. 1t Is
conceded even by the opposition that the
present Legislature is an able one, and IL
was forvently hoped that the prophecies
concerning their good works would De
verified especially as the session is one OF
only forty-five days including Sundays
and there will be no meeting again FOR
TWO YEARS. The laws need many amend
ments, and an unusually large number OF
bills were introduced, there was but lit
tie time wasted in harangues and speeches
and there was every indication that the
people in every county and Of all parties
would at the close of the session rise up
and call the Legislature blessed. 1t was
believed that ali the necessary legislation
could be transacted in the brief session al
lotted by law. Every thing was working
TO this contamination devoutly wished,
when all of a sudden the wheels of legis-
lation were blocked by the introduction
in the Senate of sectional bill to remove
the Capital. At once every conservative
member, of either party, surrendered all
hopes of this session proving anything
but failure. How many laws have been
passed! How many of the peoples cries
been needed, and the laws changed as
they wished! What guaranty is there to
the people that they will not have to pay
for an extra session at the rate Of $500
per day.? What people in any county
have as yet had law made for their re-
lief? we answer truthfully when we say
that but one bill has been sent to the Gov
ernor and become law.
Of the forty-five days, thirty have ex-
pired, and including to-day there are left
barely thirteen working days! And yet
in spite ofthis humilia ting fact it is pro-
posed further to harass and impede legis-
lation by fighting over the Capital bill.
The farmer grooming under an injur-
ious road law. the jurors complaining of
an unjust jury law, the merchant asking
relief from unju taxation, the constabu-
larry crying for a change, all care not
straw where the laws are made so they
are rectitied.
We are confident the present session
cannot by the act of the Legislature be con-
tinued beyond the prescribed forty-hVe
days. 1t will require a vote OF thirty
three i'm the House and thirteen in the
Senate to do so, and this cannot be had.
Nor do we believe the Governor will take
the responsibility of calling an extra ses,
sion. What then? Are the people still
to clamor for legislation and when the
representatives come home, to repudiate
them: We speak without reference to
the merits or dement's of the Capital bill.
They have been fully ventilated. But
we do appeal to the Legislature to roll up
their sleeves and improve the few brief
days left them to do the work for which
they have been sent here, and to fritter
no more time in suicidal dalliance win
such bills rs the one to remove the Capt.
tai temporarily. Wespeak as Democrats
wishing the welfare of the party, the peo-
pie and the whole State and are sincere
in making the appeal at this time
Charleston Courier, Feb. IL.