Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-03-09

also 70 pfoVloe that the once OF no Senatok
now q member shall be vacated
insert "I8"
Upon this motion the discussion Of the
evening begani
Mr.. Woods spoke briefly in favor OF his
motion, and especially of the '65-member
plan" for the House.
He was followed by Mr. Newman, who
spoke in the same strain.
Mr.. Smith thought that the constitu-
tional right to increase the House was q
stance he favored an immediate reference
OF the matter TO the Judiciary Committee.
Mr.. Wood said that the bill! had been
practically before the Senate for several
days, and all Senator's had determined
upon their position concerning the meas
ure.
Mr.. Faulkner said that the Judiciary
Committee could not settle the matter
definitely. The issue was squarely before
the Senate, and he favored o test vote upon
it in order to feel the pulse of the Senate.
MessrS. Maxwell, Dawson, Farnsworth
and Summers each spoke briefly in favor
Of the immediate consideration of the mo.
ton before the Senate.
Mr.. Dennis made a speech OF some
length upon the apportionment bill itself.
He confined himself chiefly to two propo-
sitions: 1st, The power OF the Legislature
under the constitution 70 fncfesse TIE
number OF the members OF the HOUSE OF
Delegates; and ID, II we have the right, Is
it policy? He proposed 10 prove that the
Legislature had the power to increase the
delegates and that il was policy to do So
He acknowledged that the constitutional
question was one OF some doubt. lie had
talked with many members of the constitu.
tional convention and found great diversity
of opinion among them. He said he would
only speak of the power to increase the
delegates and would not touch upon the
matter of Senatorial increase. In sup
port OF his belief that the Legislature had
the power to increase the delegates, he
quoted various sections of the constitution
upon the subject, and founded his conclu-
sions upon them. He more particularly
drew the attention OF the Senate to article
3, sections 4, 6 and 7, and argued at some
length from them as TO the constitutional
ity OF the Legislatures proposed action. He
firmly held that the Legislature had the
constitutional over either to increase
or diminish the Delegates. Sup.
pose you determine to leave II al
is, he said, and not increase the House.
What is the result? Brooke, Hancock,
Morgan, PoCahontas, Boone and others that
now have one delegate each, will all be de-
prived Of their delegates il you leave the
number at IS. II you pass this bill OF Is
members. you give some counties OF
10000 voters one delegate, and other
counties of 1000 or 600 voters will have
one delegate also. He hoped the Senate
would not stulify itself by saying that the
Legislature cannot increase the number OF
delegates.
Mr.. Isarbcc made a speech OF about
an hours length opposing an increase in
either House.
He was opposed to ii on constitutional
grounds, as Il matter OF economy and as a
matter of the best interests OF the ta1pay-
crs Of the State.
We regret that a lack of space this morn
ing prohibits the publication Of the able
GrcenhaCkers remarks upon this bill
Mr.. Vanmctcr spoke in favor Of the prop.
osition to have the number in each house
as at present, and favored the motion Of
the Senator from Ohio.
A 'vote" was called for, and the question
being on the amendment of Mr.. Dennis, it
was rejected by the following vote:
In the affirmative: MeSsrs. Dennis,
Ewin. Farnsworth. Faulkner. McNeel,
Samples, Stollings and Summers.
In the negative: Messrs. Barbec, Dsvi.
son, Dawson. Donehoo, Maxwell, Mctirew,
McGregor, Newman. Roberts, Shelton,
Smith, Stout, Nanmeter, Williams and
Woods-l5.
A vote was then taken on the motion OF
Mr.. Woods, which was adopted.
Those who voted aye were: Mcssrs. Bar.
lee, Dawson, Dawson. Doneho0, Farms.
worth, Maxwell MCGrew. McGregor New.
man, Roberts, Shelton, Smith, Stout, Van
meter, Williams and Woods-lG.
Opposed to the resolution were: Messrs.
Dennis, Ewin, Faulkner, MCNcel Samples,
Stollings and Summer.
Mr.. Smith arose and made personal ex.
panatiOn. He had voted for the resolution
under some misapprehensiOn He thought
the number of Senators had been stricken
from the motion, and desired TO state that
he differed from the resolution in regard to
the Senator's retaining their seats.
The Senate then at 10 o'clock adjourned.