Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1890-01-16
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
GOVERNOR WILSON'S RECOMMENDATION
TO THB EXTRA SESSION.
Every Important Subject tSr kg.lAtou Ably and
Vigorously Dealt Wiih--S,w Election
Laws Rsccmmsndsd-Truss-f
School Books.
Special Teltoram 10 ne Register.

School Books.
Special Ttl<oram 10 pS Register.
CHARLESTON. W. VA. January Is go
The message which Governor Wilson
transmitted To Legislature this morning,
will take rank amoDg the State papers Of
West Virginia as one Of the ablest and
most vigorous Documents that ever csme
from the hand OF any Of oar governors.
Qaestiona Of the greatest moment are
grappled with. and the necessity Of IN
early solution Of these problems 10 forcibly
urged. The Governor is no less vigorous
or courageous when he attempts to solve
the problems which be presents. While
come OF his suggei.ions may not be ac'ed
upon speedily. the terse aud earnest mar
ner in which they are presented, will do
much to attract public attention snd
hasten legislation on the lines which the
message points out
RAILROAD LEGIsLATIGS.
After referring briefly TO the euberna-
torial contest. Gov. Wilson tales up a
subject with which his name has become
intimately associated. Railroad lesisla-
tion is the general theme, and the message
reads a sermon to the Legislators, which
doubtless will make every sinner who
ever travelled on a free p-ss uemble ia
his boots. Railroad Determinations are
denounced in the Governors most yigor-
Gus phia,e. Toe constitutional sections
declaring railroads public highways, and
directing the Legislature 10 pass laws reg.
ulsting maximum rates OF charges arc
quoted. The message thea continues ~
follow:
Seventeen years have pes ed away sitcs
the adoption OF this plan, mandatory con
stituiional provision, and ye, ipe objects
have not been secured to the people by
necessary legislation. Sovereignty rests
With the people. This is The peopls's
Government, and We are bat official fer-
wants They have right TO command /;
ard the hrst and highest duty of the chi
cisl ia 10 obey that command when tre
peoples voice is heard through the organ ic
Law. As for myself, eysry message have
bad the honor Of submitting has CONTAINED
a sps cial recommendation that tbs oorsii-
provision be carried into effect
and tnat legislation be enOc,ed TO protect
our State againet the injustice and exior-
,ion Of railroad discrimination. I renew
the recommendation, and trust that relief
will be secured during the present session.
AGAINST FREE PAssRs
renew the recommendations hereto.
fore made in relation to the distribution
OF railroad passes 10 public cflisera AID
delegates 10 political conventions. The cor
rup: purpose Of railway companies in dis
tributing passes 10 such persons Is too
manifest TO be msghihed with an srgn-
ment 10 demonstrate IL. The public OIL
cial should be placed beyond temptation
by the blandishmebls ~ uss of these Ia
vOrs; and while the candidate for nomine.
tion to ofilce. whose integrity and ability
have earned the confidence snd esteem Of
his party Rss0oiales, shonld b. feqaud
againGt the advantage Of free railroad
passes for The friends of his opponents, tho
people should be protected ig4ihst that
miserahle class OF worthless place hanisrs
who, obliyions 10 the duties ard r6sponsi-
bilities OF public Office, surrender them
selves 10 the commands Of n corporate
master.
The railroads, however, 90 not yet e.
cape from the Governors ayenging hants.
The third division Of the meGsage Is enti-
tied Assessments OF Railroad Property. %
Under it, It is recommended tba' lhs State
law, allowing Circuit judges 20 Forais
the assessmsnt on railroad property, b. r'-
pesled ard the ss' 'esemeot made ny tho
Board Of Puhlic Worka he eontideref hnaL
This next following section is devoted 20
Protection TO Railroad Employee. A
long discussion eHsues concerning the rule
OF Law, which provides that al emplOyc IN
nred In the service Of railroad eonranY
by an accident due 10 the oartlessuo3s OF
another employe cannot recover damages
from the company. The cruelty and in
ustice OF the provision are pointed ou',
and a remedy discussed. A direct etitu-
tory enactment. such ~ has been adopted
in u large number Of States, is recommend
cd. Such an ensclment would &eufe aI
ple redress to the employee, fni. a8 held
by the United States Snpreme Cjufi, ~ 10
strict accord with the lao oi ths land
SUNDAY LABOR on RAILROADS.
The last railroad section is Risss up 70
to the violation Of the Sabbath day" In
this connection, the law affecting laborIa
90 the Sabbath is quoted, with several eK
tracts from decisions oi the Supreme
Court, explaining and dthOing IT, In
the interest OF the public veal, the mes
sage sugsests that rsiircsd conpaniis be-
brought nader The Sunday ohseiysncs Law
by special enactment TIE dcliysfy oi
this h.oIdsije sinid Il st the railroads BE-
followed by the discharge oi s'H pouDder
pointed 81 corporations 10 general. TIE
suggeetion il made that the laad of the
State Is In danger Of being AFFORDED by ''cor-
poraiiops, crestable by the mere hllirg OF a
blank form and almost without money. 30
This dagger sbould be removed BIZ Law
limiting the corporate land holding In the
State.