The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-01-26
HOUSE OF DELEGATES.
The Penitentiary Committees Report.
other Matters.

Rev. Mr. Pomeroy, Of Moundsville,
opened the House with prayer yesterday.
Several motions TO dispense with the read.
ing OF the journal were voted down, but
finally one to the same effect prevailed.
Among the bills recommended to pass
was the one to protect primary elections.
Mr.. Wells, from the Committee on the
Penitentiary, reported that the Committee
had visited the institution, and that they
had instructed the Directors that convicts
must not be let to work on dangerous
machinery, and that they must be protect
ed from the dust arising from sand belts
and woodworking machinery. The Com
mittee was Of opinion that on account OF the
wear and tear OF clothes, ETC., convicts
could be let to work on whips and brooms
at two cents less per day less than on
wagons. The number OF convicts is 1919,
l64 being under contract. II the others
were let at seventy cents per day the insti.
tuition would be seltsustaining. The pres
ent management OF the penitentiary is
satisfactory and commendable. Its recon.
mended that specific sum be charged as
rent for shop room, and that the charge for
steam power be made adequate to pay for
producing it. The Committee consider the
contract system far preferable to the en-
ployment OF convict labor on State account.
Additional reservoirs for water are needed
at the prison.
Mr.. Shirtz introduced q bill for the
more effectual protection Of persons deal.
ing in timber; Mr.. Pennybacker one in re.
lation to fees OF justices in felony cases;
Mr.. Lynch one providing for the appoint
ment Of Commissioners Of Accounts; Mr..
Gilkeson one to amend the pharmacy act,
concerning the sale Of poisons; Mr.. Lynch
one for the relief OF James D. Horner,
Sheriff OF Harrison county; Mr.. Jones one
to amend the law in relation to the exam.
ination OF teachers, and Mr.. Stump, Of
Calhoun, one to annex to Calhoun county
portion Of Gilmer county.
Mr.. Chambers introduced joint reso.
luton requesting Congressman from this
State to secure an appropriation sufficient
to remove all distractions from the Guy
ando,te river, which, on motion OF Mr..
Pennybacker, went 10 the Committee on
Federal Relations.
Mr.. Parsons presented resolution di.
recting the Committee on the Judiciary to
inquire into the expedency Of allowing
women to vote. On motion OF Mr.. PEN
nybacker, it was referred to the Committee
on Arts, Sciences and General Improve.
ments.
A communication was received from w.
J. johnson, late Public printer, asserting
that the reason he had not furnished the
reports Of the Penitentiary Directors and
Auditor was that the law in regard to the
time at which the manuscript should be
furnished had not been complied with.
He said, however, that the reports would
be- completed at an earlier date than at
any previous session for six years.
Mr.. Davis presented joint resolution
providing for commission to codify the
statutes. On motion Of Mr.. Gilkeson II
was tabled, as similar proposition was
pending in the Senate.
At II o'clock the special order, the pro-
hibitory resolution, was taken up. The
proceedings will be found elsewhere SO far
as they relate to this subject.
The usual recess was taken at quarter
before one.
The entire afternoon session was con.
sumed in discussion Of the Prohibition
Amendment.