Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1881-03-19
THE LEGISLATURE.
Correspondence Independent.
WHEELING, Mar. 18th, IS

w HEEIINt, Midi. 1ZIU, 1901.
AS the session draws to q close,
the members push business more
vigorously. In the Senate on
Friday the following bills were
passed:
A bill to prescribe the duties oil
clerks of the county courts in
counties in which tribunals now
exist which hav heretofore been
established for police and fiscal
purposes, under the thirty-fourth
section of the eighth article of the
Constitution of 1872, and provid-
ing for appeals from orders made
by such clerks.
A bill to amend and re- enact
chapter 80 of the Code of West
Virginia, concerning the collec.
ton of taxes.
A bill to make persons charged
with crime competent witnesses in
their own behalf.
s. b. l24, bill to create Bu-
reau of immigration and Agricul-
ture, to appoint and elect a COM
missioner, fix his salary and de-
fine his duties, was laid on the
table with the understanding that
1t would come up at the adjourn
ed session.
III. B. No. 50, bill for the pro-
lection of sheep and imposing a
tax on dogs, was taken up on its
second reading. An amendment
was carried placing a tax on dogs
at from 80 cents to ST.. The tax
bill was read third time and
passed
The House passed the following
bills:
S. 3. No. "a. Ba it enacted by
the Legislature of West Virginia:
Any publication authorized or re-
CURED by any law of this State to
be made not more than once q
week, in any newspaper, may be
published in a newspaper issued
on any day of the week.
S. b No. II, a bill to authorize
judges, jurors and officers of courts
to act in certain causes.
S. B. No. 5, "a bill to make per-
sons charged with crime compe.
tent witnesses" which reads as
follows:
In the trial of all indictments,
informations, complaints and
other proceedings against persons
charged with the commission of
crimes, offenses and misdemean-
ors, the persons so charged shall,
at his own request, but not other
wise, be competent witness. And
hi: failure ia make such request
shall not create any presumption
against him, nor any reference be
made to, nor any comment be
made of such neglect or refusal.
S b. No. So, IA bill in relation
to the Cumberland Road in this
Staten
In the Senate on Friday the
Sheep and Dog bill was reported
back from the House slightly
amended, and was passed again.
The general appropriation bill
was also passed
Is. Il. l49 was reaG a second and
third Time and passed. The bill
IT lates 20 certain provisions re-
specting sheriffs and jailors; the
service and return of process;
property exempt from execution,
and homesteads.
Ia the House the dog law was
passed, the Senate having recaded
from its amendments. 1t takes
effect from its passage.
The House passed the Senate
resolution, extending the time Of
tho session until Tuesday the 18th.
A large number Of Senate bills
were read second time and or
dered to third reading
WHEELING, March 16, 81.
In the Senate on Saturday the
main business transacted was in re-
gard to the amendments to the ap-
preparation bills. Committees Of
Conference with the House were ap-
pointed. The conference Commit
tee on the general appropriation re-
ported and recommended that S.
900 be set aside for the Normal
schools, which was adopted and the
bill again passed.
The Conference Committee on the
Legislative appropriation bill reprot-
ed and recommended that the House
recede from their amendment and
the Senate amendment be agreed to.
The report was adopted and the bill
again passed.
Saturday was busy day in the
House shaping up legislation with
view to adjournment on Tuesday.
S. b. No. 96, a bill amending and
re-enacting section 5 of chapter los
of the Acts of 1877 concerning
shows, performances etc, being up