The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1882-03-09
NIGHT SESSION,

Upon Resembling the Senate took up
the special order set for $50 o'clock, Icing
the billapportioning members Of the House
OF Delegates and Senate. Mr.. Woods
moved to recOmmit the whole matter to the
judiciary Committee with instructions to
report a substitute for the present bill on a
basis OF sixty-fve members for the House
and twenty.four for the Senate-thc present
representation. Mr.. Dennis moved to
amend the proposition Of Mr.. Woods fixing
the members Of the House at rs.
Some rambling discussion was INDUCED
in about the preparation OF the Senate to
vote upon the measure, and whether 1t
WINS ready TO commit itself 10 any scheme
OF appOEtionment. Senator Smith spoke
in favor OF postpOning the consideration Of
the bill for the present. Senator Dennis
said that the time was too short; that the
bill had been delayed too long already,
and for one he was going home next week,
and he wanted to see this matter settled
before he left.
Mr.. Dennis said that hc had CORES.
pended with a number OF able lawyers,
some Of whom were members OF the late
Constitutional Convention, and that he
found there was great variety oil opinion
in regard TO the Constitutional right OF the
Legislature to increase the membership Of
the House and Senate. He, however,
would not discuss the proposition TO in
crease the Senate, but would address him
self to the power OF the Legislature to in
crease the membership Of the House Of
Delegates.
The first question is have we the power
under the Constitution TO increase the
members OF the House; and the second is,
is it policy to do so il we have the power.
The Senator from Greenbrier argued at
some length to show that the constitution
al right was plain enough when the consti-
tutional provisions were intelligenty con-
strued, His strongest point was the differ.
ence in the language as applied to the Sen.
ute and House, which provided that the
Senatorial districts Shdn be arranged, and the
Members Of The House shall be apportioued,
his Interpretation being that the increase
OF the number OF Senators was OF doubtful
constitutionality, and that the House
could either be diminished or increased in
numbers.
AS to the policy Of the proposed increase
Of the membership OF the House, Mr.,
Dennis argued that the apportionment on
the basis Of slxty.lve members would de-
prive the counties Of Hancock, Boone,
and Pocahontas and others OF their dele
gates, and that further inequalities Of rep
resentation would result,
Mr.. Barbee spoke IN opposition to the
proposed increase, maintaining that the
constitutional language was plainly ad'
verse 10 it, and argued that an increase
would only be proper by the acquisition Of
additional territory.
During the debate Messrs. Woods, Max.
well, Smith, Faulkner, Stollings, Newman,
Dawson, Farnsworth, summers and Van
meter spoke briefly on the merits OF the
bill before the House.
The question recurring on the amend
ment OF Mr.. Dennis fixing the number o.
the House ats, the same was defeated by
the following vote;
Yeas-Dennis, Ewln, Farnsworth, Faulk
ner MVNcel, Samples, Stollings and Sum
meTs tPres,)-S
Nays-Barhec, Dawson, Dawson, Done
hoo, Maxwell, McGrew, McGreGor, New
man, Roberts, Shelton, Smith, Stout, Van
meter, Williams and Woods!A5.
The original motion coming up, 1t wa
adopted by the following yea and nay vote
Yeas-Barbee, Dawson, Dawson, Done
hoo, Farnsworth, Maxwell, = MeGrew, Nc
Gnror Newman, Roberts, Shelton. Smith
Stout, Yanmeter, Williams and Woods
Nays-Dennis, Ewin, Faulkner, McNeel
Samples, stollings, and Summers lPresi
dentl-7.
Adjourned.