The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1881-02-26


RATHER LIVELY TILT.
The convict labor bill came up for con.
slderation, and Judge Ferguson announC.
ed himself as friend Of the bill, holding
To tho belief that the measure was in a
very good shape, and that no material
amendments were necessary or ought to
be made. His remark was something like
this:
"Mr. Speaker: hope this bill will
pass without any amendments. 1t Is in
very good shape to become a law. 1t is
just as want it, and l hope it will be
adopted"
Mr.. Lowry retorted that the members
Of the House were not here as represent
atives Of the gentleman from Kanawha,
nor to be governed by bis wishes or give
shape to his views. He thought the Judge
had dictated to his fellow delegatesas long
az. was becoming or tolerable, and although
tho newspapers had referred to the gentle.
man from Kanawha as
''rnE BRAINY MAN OF THE HOUSE,"
He Lowry. did not think the gentle.
man embodied all the intelligence in the
House, and he for one did not propose to
submit to his dlctum any longer The
speaker did not approve Of big rs In such
prominent position as In the gentleman's
remark, and when he saw big l, he gen.
orally tried to dot It.
Mr.. Ferguson replied with bis usual dis.
nifty that the gentleman from Summers
was continually exhibiting antagonlsm to
him, though he could see no reason that
he should. The gentleman was indifferent
to him. and he thought the exhibitions Of
pettyness were not altogether Creditable TO
him. He 1.-THE speaker has never assumed
or attempted to dictate 10 the House, or
done Anything that could justify such q
charge. He was not responsible for what
the newspapers said; II he knew as much
as they credited him with he would feel
like debating.
The Judge In closing alluded TO Mr.
Lowry's remarks as dlsfespeCtfu and un.
parliamentary. Mr.. Lowry replied that
he had no intention 10 be disrespeCtful,
aud II he had gotten inadvertently beyond
the bounds OF parliamentary rules he beg
ved the pardon Of the "HooRe," but not
that OF the gentleman from Kanawha.
This
DISCUSSION OF THE CONVICT BILL
was quite 'gensrally participated In, and
some further reference 10 II will be found
below.
The session was opened with prayer by
Hon. selmon Wells, Of Tyler county.
Mr.. Leonard, from the Committee on
Taxation and Finacne, introduced House
| Bill No. 245, to release and extingnish a
Judgment rendered ID the Circuit Court
Of Mercer Caunty In favor Of East River
district Of Mercer county against Andrew
], Cole and his suretles.
The bill 10 amend and reenaCt chapter
1856 Of the Acts oil 1877, entitled IAN Act
10 provide for the working Of ConviCts ID
the Penitentiafy," was then taken up IN
lie regular order on q second reading, and
read by the Clerk by sections for amend
meht.
An amendment offered by MI Depue,
which struck out the provision that nc
convict shall be hired by contract, except
upon public works, and Inserting assertion
which permitted the letting Of labor by
contract, provided that no convict be
hired ont al lees than 30 cents a day, was
the pending motion.
This was the proposition which Judge
| Ferguson opposed, and Tor his opposition
| 10 which he was 60 btiskly tackled by the
man from Summers.
Mr.. Kepner also hoped the amendment
would not prevail. He said he had hopet
| that This discussion would be carried OF
from
TIE mon STANDPOINT OF PRINCIPLE;
that the groveling question Of dollars ant
cents would not be dragged into 1t. Bu
figures seem to be more potent atgu
ment than any other with gentlemen VIII
are willing 10 subordinate pure question
Of wright to that Of money. However,
waive the question Of principle involved
which, In my humble judgment, tower
mountain high above all other considers
lions, and will meet the gentlemen wit
IAsutes. Last evening when this bill cam