The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1877-09-26
THE EXTRA SESSION.


L ARNOLD, the able member from Lewis
county, to the editor of the REGISTER
in which he advocated the convocatlon
of the Legislature this winter
We have. since the matter became public,
carefully watched the papers OF the State
for their views pro and con upon the
question, but so far we have found no
spro's' bat all "cons." The Huntington
Advertiser, the leading paper printed at
the home of Speaker GIBSON, which gen.
,Ieman seems to head the movement, and
the Weston Democrat, printed at
the home of Mr.. ARNOLD, who
seconds it, are both outspoken
against the extra session, and the former
OF the papers gives Its reasons and
arguments at length IN opposition. In
response Speaker GIBSON prints letter
in which he gives the following reasons
in favor of the session this winter, and
promises next week to discuss the
j dietary system, its defects and pro-
p, Sed remedies:
II is conceded BY all that our laws
,ed vigorous amending to make them
inst and harmonious; that many OF our
systems are inefficient and helpless from
abuse; that much of oar legislation has
merely been to tide over until more per
ct bills could be matured and passed;
q 81. indeed, that our whole code OF laws
are but patchwork. This has been the
result OF Capital schemes, impeachment
f4rces senatorial struggles, and blatant
densgogues who were constantly crying
that the people were not willing to give
sufficient time for careful legislation; and
for the further reason OF natural antsg-
onisms growing out of late political
events.
In an extra session, none OF these
things will be seriously felt. So far as
this Legislature is concerned the Capital
question is settled; thing OF the past.
An overwhelming majority OF both
houses would not only repudiate any sec
ton seeking To open 1t again, but would
regard it a gross insult to even solicit any
chsnges in the bill they prepared with so
much labor, and which has been sealed
with the sanction OF the people. What
succeeding Legislatures, fresh from the
people, may do, l know not; but am
satisfied that this one regards its lsbors
on that subject completed. We will have
no United States Senator to elect; and the
harmony between the representatives of
b ,th parties is complete. Then, any con-
stltutional changes made this winter
could be voted upon at the next general
election; whereas by waiting for the next
regular session, no vote could be had
before 1880, thus greatly frightening the
t,rm of our suffering. Then, again, IN
the next regular session the senatorial
question will be upon US to disturb all
I,yislatlon, for that body will be called
upon to elect a successor to Mr.. Hereford.
And may further add that very large
number of important bills were fully
prepared and considered at the late
session, and only failed for want Of time.
Thus our work would be more than half
c,mpleted.
Now, besides the general improvement
of our laws; besides the relief TO be had
b; the judiciary bill, late tragic and
alarming events have taught as that there
j, very grave demand Tor legislative
ac,ion both for the protection of the
State and Its industrial interests. AS we
now stand, we are the subject of jlbes
and lest, powerless either to help the just
or repress the wrong. State pride, If moth
ing else, should induce US to correct this.
And verify believe that l hazard nothing
when | solemnly declare my belief that
unless the Legis stures of the States and
Nation concert measures OF relief and
protection-reliet against the frauds and
Outrages upon the honest Industries OF
the country, and protection against the
violence and lawlessness of the untortu-
nate suffering and crimlnally vicious;
that before the meeting Of another Leg
islature, events appalling and disastrous
will have cast their gloomy shadows
over our whole country. If our State
does not lead in these measures, l, al
least, want her no laggard.
To this the Advertiser responds at
length, the closing paragraphs of which
we here insert:
but there are other reasons than those
based upon the general public policy dis
cussed, not the least of which is the great
one of the cost of this proposed session.
A session of torty-fve days at $3.50 90 per
day-whlch is about the average cost of
the session-amounts to $33, $50. A good
round SUN to be sure, but you may say
no. sufficient to frigtten US out OF our
equilibrium. Well, we admit that it could
BE- raised and paid If absolutely necessary,
but we also desire to remind our readers
that the treasury Is already seri-
ouslv embarrassed by an indebt-
einess (causad by these extraordinary
ses,ions), OF from 100000 to Sl25,O0O
AL the treasury officials, having ex.
hqusted the credit of the State, are now
contemplating the expediency of hand
ing over their portfolios to whom it may
concern, and abandoning The public off,
COS to their fate. We are creditably in
formed that 1t is difficult for them to
raise the funds to pay the clerks in the
public offices now; what will 1t be If the
Legislature comes up demanding its $3.50
pr day?
what are you crying about?" asked
gentleman of man he saw sitting on the
curbstone, apparently in utter despair.
"Why, l lost my half a dollar down this
crack" he answered. "You should not
shed tears over half dollar" What's q
halt dollar? ats whole heap when its
81 you've GOT
Our treasury is even worse off than
the poor man of the story; 1t has no half
dollar to lose, by majority about equal
t. MIR. Tilden's.
Overshadowing all of these, perhaps, is
the danger that the custom of extending
the sessions, and calling extraordinary
ones, is growing so common that we are
threatened with that stage when We will
b, Obliged to have them perpetuslly.
One inducement or another influences
members to sign a call, or vote for an ex-
tension, until it is rapidly becoming
s,r, of matter of course. Since
location or tho nau copst,