The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1882-03-22
Edl.orIal Correspondence.
WHEELING, March 20, 1882

Dear Register We suppose letter
must be written to the Register wheth-
er we have any matters Of interest to
chronicle or not. Since we have
been at the Capital, we have endeav-
ored to keep our readers posted as to
the doings of the Legislature, in our
own crude way. This may be our
last letter, as in all probability the
Legislature will have adjourned ere
another Register is issued, and we will
be at home, and again astride the
editorial tripod.
The report Of the Committee to in
vestigate the Lunatic Asylum, burst.
ed in the House as would soap
bubble" the other evening. The
evidence did not sustain the specif.
cations and charges, and when the
House commenced to investigate and
sift the evidence, it was found that
there was nothing whatever in it,
and on motion of Mr.. Mitchell, OF
Ohio, that part of the Committees
Report, recommending the removal
of DR.. Hullihen, was stricken out by
an almost unanimous vote, and DR..
H. remains in office, freed from the
charges made against him by the
committee.
House Bill 35S has passed the
House and will also pass the Senate,
providing for the sale by the Board
Of Public Works, Of the States inter-
est in the coal underlying the Ohio
river This is very important bill
to our people, for now they will have
an opportunity of buying the veins
of coal underlying the Ohio river al
most the entire front of the county,
getting title from the State, thus
giving them an opportunity Of pre-.
venting the stealing Of this coal by
the Ohio people, as is now being
done at Antiquity, in Meigs county,
Ohio, nearly opposite Hartford City.
1t may also enable the people Of
Point Pleasant to form a company to
buy the coal underlying the river in
front Of our town. "A gentleman who
has had large experience in develop.
ing coal deposits, told me on Satur.
day, that there was an eight foot
vein OF coal, of very superior quail.
ity, underlying the river bed in front
OF our town, and that it could be
reached in less distance than 100 feet,
and that if the bill passes, he intends
to form a company to buy this coal,
sink a shaft and develop it.
About the most important bill that
has passed this House is the one in
troduced by Speaker Wilson, and
known as the Free Pass Bill" The
following is the full text of the bill,
as it passed the House, together with
the vote on the passage of the bill:
Bchenac'edLythe Legislature of Wea Virginia:
/. 1t shall be unlawful for any railroad
company or corporation operating any rail.
road wholly within, or partly within and
partly without this state, by its officers,
agents or otherwise, to give or offer to give,
during his term OF Office, to any member OF
the congress OF the United States OF Amer
lea from this state, or to any executive,
legislative, judicial or ministerial officer OF
this state, or OF any circuit, county or dis.
trict therein, any pass or ticket to travel
over its railroad or railway, or any part
thereof free OF charge or at less charge
than the usual rate for other persons, or to
carry or convey, during his term OF office,
any such member OF congress or officer
over It's railroad or railway, or any part
thereof free OF charge, or at less charge
than the usual rate for other persons.
Any person, whether an officer or agent OF
any such company or not, or whether such
members oil congress executive, legislative,
judicial or ministerial officer or not called
as witness in relation to any olTense spec.
flied in this or the next succeeding section.
shall be compelled to testify, notwith.
standing he may be implicated in the Of
fense himself, but in case he does so testify
in relation 10 such otiense fully, no pros
ecution:tor the same otiense shall thereafter
be maintained against him.
An indictment under this section shall
be sufficient, il it be in the form or effect,
as follows:
state OF West Virginia - county,
to.wit: The grand jurors of the State OF
West Virginia, in and for the body OF the
county OF -, upon their oaths, present
that the (name OF deiendant) did, hereto
fore in the year -, unlawiully give Tor
offer TO gire) to A B., during his term
OF office as member Of the Congress OF
the United States OF America, from this
State Tor Judge, etc, as the case may bel n
pass or ticket TO travel over its railroad
free OF charge, Tor at q less charge than the
usual rate for other personsl or unawfully
carried or conveyed A. b, during his