Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-02-22
HOUSE OF DELEGATES.
Morning Session.

Rev. J. B. Mulford, of the Baptist church.
The entire morning session was occupied
in the routine work of reading bills on
first and second reading, most OF which
were bills amendatory to the code, present
ed by the Revisory Committee, and to
which but few amendments were suggest
ed, and they were generally ordered 10
their third reading without objection.
The only break in the monotony Of the
morning session occurred during the
reading OF one of these lengthy bills while
the members were sitting in almost.
sorrow-bent state and the only sound to
be heard was the resonant voice OF
Clerk Peyton as he rolled Off in rounded
periods the matter of an uninteresting bill.
Right in the midst OF the reading.
A Lond Crash
came from the vicinity of the Clerks desk,
sounding rs though the roof of the build
ing were coming down TO meet the floor, or
the great bell in the cupOla had been car
ried by the high wind and landed within
the house OF course every head was erect
and every eye turned with eager curiosity
toward the desk to discern the occasion of
the crash. The explanation quickly fol-
lowed as the legs of the journal clerk were
seen yaulsing in the air above the front OF
the desk, and his chair. with blank books,
papers, pens, pencils, etc, went Tying
hither and thither about the hall. as the
fallen officer endeavored with herculean
struggles TO regain his equilibrium and re-
adjust himself in the chair which had acci-
dentally been moved too near the edge Of the
platform and let him overheard. The
fright of the House gave place Immediately
TO immoderate laughter at the expense OF
the Clerk who, after collecting himself
and gathering up the debris, joined hearth
ly in the prevailing merriment. As this
tragic part Of the proceedings is not likely
TO be entered upon the journal. We are in-
terested in preserving the record as part
OF the history of this Legislature.
senate Bill 2O2.
This is the celebrated bill amending the
charter of the City OF Wheeling. On being
reached. Mr. Seabright moved that it be
made the order Of the day for Thursday at
ii o'clock.
Mr.. Kepner objected to postponement.
He said there was no necessity for delay.
The members had been button-holed and
talked nearly to death about it, and every
one had made up his mind and was ready
TO vote He said there was no reason for
delay other than to allow the lobby another
chance to pOunce upon the House.
Mr.. Seabright said he did not want to
rush the bill through. He wanted TO give
everybody chance. He did not want to
champion either side, but was willing that
everybody should have notice. 1t was
com planned that il had been rushed through
the Senate But il il vas thought best to
consider it now. lie had no preference, and
would Withdraw his motion.
Mr.. Mcneil moved that IL be made the
special order for this afternoon at 3 q clock,
which motion prevailed.
Afternoon Session.
The House was called TO order promptly
At the usual hour but presented beggarly
array OF empty seats. Members kept drop
ping in. however, until 4 quorum was pres
ent -,
Senate Bill No. lT3, providing for the
method of collecting money other than by
fcri tacins. was read second time, and
pending action the time fixed for the order
OF the day being the consideration OF Sen
ate bill No. 202 in relation to the
Government rthe City orwheeiing
arrived, and the bill was taken up and read
| a second time.
Mr.. Kepner offered substitute for sec
| tons IA, is. l6 and Il, providing that The
| bill take effect from and after its ratifica-
ton by the people. He did not propose 70
! discuss the merits of the bill. Its proyi-
| sions were well known. II proposed to take
| from the people the privilege OF electing
their own officers and place the control in
| the hands of two boards. He knew that
| members had been approached with the
! argument that il was simply local bill,
| but he insisted that il was more-it in
yoIyed a principle which concerned the
| people of the whole State. II affected the
| Right OF Suffrage.
| The people of Wheeling for more than hall
| a century bad been accustomed 10 elect
their own officers, and this bill proposed
| TO take from them that privilege without
| their consent. Heretofore il has been peo-
| pies government The mayors and coun-
| Gil have been elected by the
people and served without salary,
and all Others have been educated by the
| people. and the result has been. that we
| have seen the city rise from small village
| 10 the largest and most substantial city in
| the State. Taxation has been light and the
| bonded debt of the city was smaller. to-day,
than any other city of equal population IN
| the country. Hence, when II vas proposed
| TO take from the people,
| without their consent
this privilege which they had so long eI'
| ercised. they looked upon il with suspicion.
| This bill proposed to set up q government
| OF Boards of Central, and the experience ol
other cities had not been Of a character To
commend this method. Look at Washing
ton, with its Boss Shepherd at Ne.
York. with its Boss Tweed, at Philadelphia
with her rings. What has been the result
| Extraraxnnee. Peeulauan aad De<ss-
| cations
IN Pittsburgh they had tried the same sys
TEN for Eve or six years. aud the result haf
been that the people abolished il and wen
| hack TO the old systefa Of elections by tbs
neopI. after a bonded debt OF Sio,OO.@
hsd been fastaned upon them. The pro
posal might be good one. which b
soabted. But good or bad. il verify. con
cerned the people Of the city and shoal'
not be forced upon them sithou. their con
sent. =,
Mr.. Mcneil presented t~enty-sik peti
t;on IN favor OF the passage OF the bill, sn'
Mr.. Kepsur fifty-fiye against IL.
Mr. Mcneil said thst. like bis colleague
he did not propose 10 diScuSs the Uer',s