Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1885-02-25
FKTENDING THE SESSION.
The Result Ia the House a Ilttis
Uncertain.
A Curious Document Introduced Ia the
Second Branch Of Couucil---
What is Behind lt2
The Municipal Law-MAkers In Session =
Poor Prospects OF the Passage Of the
City BIN BY the Lesislatare-rhe
Probability OF bad Break
Up In the River.

At three o'clock yesterday afternoon d.
J. r. No Is, providing for an extension OF
the session, came up in the House Of Dele
gates as the special order of the day. Mr..
Powell offered an amendment limiting the
time ofthe sx,eI sion TO fifteen days. Mr..
Hsymond said he had no objection to the
amendment, but be earnestly desired an ex-
tension. For some tine it had been clear
to his mind that the important business be-
fore the Legislature could not be concluded
within the forty-6Ve days prescribed tor the
duration of the session, and with this con-
yietion before him he had introduced the
resolution now under consideration. Since
the Legislature had convened much busl-
ness Of q general nature had been trans
acted, but there yet remained much to DO,
No body of men had ever assembled IN tins
State who had labored more zealousiy to
transact the public business, than hsd this
Legislature. The accumulation OF two
wears had to be considered, and in order to
dispense of these matters of pressing I'M
portance an extra session was indispensable
The speaker went on to enumerate the I'M
portsnt measures yet to be considered,
and closed by earnestly appealing to the
members to agree to his resolution for the
good Of The State at large, and the advance
ment Of the interests OF Its citizens without
distinction Of locality or party.
Mr.. Dean said that fortunately or untor-
tunalely this was q matter every member
must determine tor himself and it was there
fore exeusable for members to give reasons
actuating them to vote as they would. As
had been stated, there were several bills on
criminal laws, forfeited and unsppropriated
lands, schools, and others of Importance,
and were they the only things to be consid'
cred. he would vote without hesitancy for
an extension Of the session. But this was
not the only consideration; it was the duty
of members to look as well to bills which, If
they passed, would work an injury to the
people, as the measures which should be
passed. A few days ago the House had
been assured that nothing in the way of
exemption looking to the relief of the
farming element would be passed by this
Legislature; now gentlemen say that if an
extension is granted there would be an ex-
emption law passed. Why had it, then, no
been passed beiore2 Reference had been
made to the Mason tax bill, which hunted
up everything under the sun, and some
things beyond the sun, in order that they
might be taxed. That bill hunted up the
private library in the ministers study, th,
last potato in the hole, the last egg in thu
nest, and listed them for taxation. Nevei
by any word or vote of his would that oil
be foisted upon the people Of West Virgins.
II he could see any good in an extension OF
the session, he would be perfectly willing to
remain in his seat ten, fifteen or twenty
days; but he saw no such
good object. His policy was
10 20 through the appropriation bill with a
sharp jsek,knife, Wittle down the appropria-
tons to the lowest possible notch, put
through as many of the more important
measures as possible and go home.
Mr.. Powell favored an extension. The
Legislature had put in forty days OF work,
and vet but halfa-dozen bills had been
passed. He felt sure that if the Legislature
adjourned without an extension the Gov
ernor would call an extra session, and he
would be justi6able in doingit it. The speak.
er was Republican, and he was glad of
il, but when he entered the Legislative
halls he entered it with an honest purpose
to do what was best for the State, aud not
an intention Of manufacturing campaign
material.
Mr.. McWhorter failed to see the great
necessity for an extension. 1t would be a
great expense to the State, and should not
be thought Of, if it could posi-.
bly, be avoided. There was some
thing about the legislation of this
session which he did not understand. His
predecessor (Mr. Haymond) had referred to
the jury bill That bill was little matter
OF fifteen lines; il was introduced early in
the session, and had it been of the great
Importance alleged, it could have long since
BEEN passed in less time than the gentleman
| occupied in his remarks. 1t was so of other
bills. The great object of the session
seemed to be to find something to tax, and
be thought some effort should be made to
break the monotony. The only question in
the minds of gentlemen on the floor should
be what was best for the interests of the
whole State, and not what would make the
most capital for their respective parties: He
thought members should let politics alone
and 90 to business.
Mr. Dyer thought all political questions
| should be laid aside and the matter looked
at from an economical standpoint 1t
seemed to him important that the session
be extended, If for no other reason, for the
reason that sproper taxation billoughtto be
passed. The gentleman from Upshur had
repudiated the charge made in q daily pa
per Of this city that Republican members
had INSTRUCTED the business of the House.
The speaker would say nothing on that
point, but would leave those conversant with
the facts to draw their own conclusions,
but why had not the gentleman re-
pudlated the assertion in another
paper that the intelligent majority"
was frittering away the time? Mr.. Nc.
Whorter interrupted the Speaker and want
ed to know why he didn't, during this ses.
sion, vote to exempt farm products, etc., as
favored in the platform Of the Charleston
Convention. Mr.. Dyer stated plainly his
understanding Of the platform adopted by
the Charleston Convention, and further said,
tbat,in the performance of his duty as q
legislator, he disregarded any party plat
form that interfered with what he believed
to be his duty to his constituency. He then
asked the gentleman from Kanswha why he
voted the other day for prohibition in the
teeth Of the platform adopted BY his party
at its State Convention held in Parkersburg
on the S0th day Of last July
Mr.. McWhorter denied that his party, ia
its platform, had refused to endorse prohi-
bition. Mr.. Dyer replied that the papers
so published the platform any way but that
he couldS't speak from personal knowledge,
as he didn't have the pleasure Of attending
the convention. Mr.. Dyer, in the course Of
his speech, highly eulogized the action Of
Governor Jackson in directing the assess.
ment Of all property as the constitution re-
/ quired. He admired the manliness and
stern integrity that characterized the Gov
ernors action.
Mr.. Ssyre thought that as this seemed to
be general speaking meeting" he might
as well give his experience. Looking over
the work done and contrasting it With what
had been left undone, he thought sn extern
sion would result to the injury ofthe people.
Many billshad been passed which he honestly
believed would work an injury to the people
! of the State while thu hills which would be