Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1881-02-05

sine die, and the ''lobsters" have all
left. The tessellated floors of the
rotunda of the New Mcclure and
the Stamm no longer resound to the
tread of the brogans of the eminent
statesmen who composed that body.
Their mission is ended, and, like the
Arabs, they quietly folded their
tents and slit out" We miss them.
The dullness which has ensued since
their departure is oppressive. Though
lost to sight, to memory dear.
In my last letter to the INDEPEN-
DENT 1 reviewed the proceedings of
the legislature up to Wednesday of
last week. l now begin where / left
off, and give resume of proceedings
up to this date.
The following are titles Of bills
presented in the House on Thursday:
can act for the better government
of the Berkeley Springs, in the coun-
ty of Morgan"
"To amend and re-enact chapter
8 of the Acts of 1877, in relation to
the payment of witnesses"
ITO amend Goth chapter of the
Code of West Virginia, in relation
to interest on money"
"To repeal chapter 231 of the Acts
Of 1928, in relation to the Berkeley
Springs, in the county of Morgan"
The following resolution of in
quiry was offered by Mr.. Beckwith:
"To require all cases in the Court
of Appeals to be heard and deter
mined in their respective grand di-
visions, except by the consent of the
parties or their COUNSEL
BY Mr.. Wells, (of Marion): "To
inquire whether any legislation is
necessary to compel the payment OF
district road taxes within the coun-
ties through which any railroad may
pass"
An important bill heretofore men,
toned in these letters, to prevent
empiricism in dentistry, passed the
House.
The work in the Senate on Thurs
day was confined principally to rou-
tine work, which was somewhat en-
livened by sharp discussion on the
University bill.
Petitions were presented asking
the passage of law to prevent the
attachment of a laborer's wages in
the hands of his employers.
Another petition was presented
asking the passage of an act taxing
dogs.
When bill 3S, which is known as
the University bill, came up, there
was lively discussion. The sub
stance of this bill is, that the pres
ent University Regents, quit on the
list of April and new board be APP
\ pointed; the primary or preparatory
department is also abolished.
The bill was opposed by Messrs.
Brown, Dennis and Faulkner, the
latter gentleman making a vigorous
and forcible speech against it. He
said: ut is this everlasting tinker
ing with the University that is
bringing it into disrepute; brick
is put in one session and pulled out
the next. You make this machine
of political patronage and down goes
your institution. / am opposed to
the patronage system and here an
nounce that in every bill of that ma
tuIe shall favor leaving it to the
Board of Public Works. TIE bill
was indefinitely postponed.
In the House on Friday flood of
petitions poured in from the temper
ance people of the State, asking the
passage of a Constitutional amend
ment prohibiting the manufacture
or sale of spurious or malt liquors
within the State. The total number
of names upon all the petitions
amounted to nearly 10000.
Mr.. Morrow offered bill repeal
ing all laws providing for the letting
of the labor Of convicts.
A resolution inquiring as to the
eXeediency Of abolishing the West
Virginia University, was on motion
of Judge Ferguson, promptly tabled.
In the Senate petitions on the tenn
| perance question were received con-
tanning about $500 names.
Senate Bill No. 6 was taken up on
its second reading, and about an
hours talk expended. The title of
the bill is, GA bill to regulate the
practice of pharmacy and the sale of
medicines and poisons," and its pro-
visions require the registration of all
pharmacists with board of three
appointed by the Governor, one from
each Congressional district.
The bill was opposed by some and
finally as compromise measure was
laid on the table to allow amend
ments at a future day.