Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-01-23
THE STATE SOLONS.
BOFH HOUSES OF TIE LEGISLATURE HOLI
SHORT SESSIONS,
But They Were Nevertheless Very Interesting g-fhs
Republican Remnant in the Senate Trying to
Make a Little Capitalize Auditor and
Secretary Of State Ably ChampiOnsd.
Special Telegram to ne Register.

CHARLESTON, w. VA, January 22.-
Notwithstanding the fact that boil
houses had only morning sessions th'
proceedings were interspersed witt
much wrangling, and hot shot was fired
promiScuously from all quarters. In the
Senate House Joint Resolution No.
raising a Joint committee to inveSti
gate and report upon the amount and
kind Offices received in the offices Of the
Auditor and Secretary OF State yearly
and also requiring said committee TO re-
port as TO the adviSability of converting
said fees into the general State Treas
ury" was taken up for consideration.
Senator Wiley said he was
strongly opposed TO rushing through
the Senate resolution of
this kind, and thought the resolution
as wOrded was reflection upon the
Auditor and Secretary of State. He
moved that the bill be referred TO the
Committee on Finance.
Senator Campbell, who is the recog-
nized leader on the Republican side in
/ the absence of Senator Morris, said
that the resolution was not intended TO
cast any reflections upon the officials
and thoughtit was merely intended to
get plain statement Of the amount of
fees received, merely for information.
/ He said he was opposed 10 referring the
resolution To the Finance Com
mittee, as Senator Wiley merely
moved to refer it TO that committee in
order TO shelve the resolution, and if
possible kill it.
Senator ST. Clair did not think the
resolution was wOrded properly, but
supposed il was merely intended to in
Quire into the amount of fees received,
with view Of fixing salaries. He said
it was generally understood that these
offices were a Sinecure. and he supposed
some objected TO this state of affairs,
but as he was a high priced man him
self. he did not think he should kick,
and said that under Democratic rule the
laws have been fairly administered, and
he did not think for one moment that
anything was wrong in that branch OF
the States government.
Senator Campbell moved to amend
Mr.. Wney'S motion, by inStructing the
Finance Committee to report the result
of their investigation not later than
January 30.
Mr.. st. Clair said he would inform the
Republicans that the minority was not
going 10 control the Senate, and while
the Republicans were running things at
Washington to suit themselves, he would
give them TO understand that they could
not do likewise here, and concluded by
saving: Give us an investigation, and
let il be a thorough investigation. We
have nothing to fear, and everything TO
gain"
Senator Wiley said he objected to
the word investigation, which oc-
CURED i'm the resolution, and thought
that people throughout the State might
imagine that something was wrong and
would be very apt TO miSinterpret the
resolution. He was opposed to passing
any resolution that might reflect upon
the officials Of the State, especially as
every member of the Senate knew that
nothing was wrong.
Mr.. Campbell demanded the ayes and
naves upon his amendment. The vote
being taken the amendment was lost.
The question then being on the original
motion a vote was taken and the motion
prevailed. and the resolution was re-
ferred to the Finance Committee.
In the House, Col. White, of Ohio,
rose to question of privilege and eN-
plained that he meant his amendment to
House Joint Resolution No. 6, in regard
To the penSionlng of the West Virginia
Home Guard, to strike out all the pre-
amble. He called attention to the fact
that the journal did not properly record
his motion OF the day before, and moved
10 reconsider the vote adopting the res
olutlon. His motion was sustained,
after lively debate. After more par
liamentary crosS-fring, Col. White won
the day by having the resolution adopt
ed aS amended by him.
This little set-to was followed by an
other equally lively over House Bill No.
96. concerning the rate OF taxes on
hawkers and peddlars, providing tax
Of from SlO0 to 5000. Delegate Hanen
said there were many ex-Union soldiers
engaged in this sort OF business who
wonld be unable TO pay the tax and
moved that it be made S25. Delegate
cambridge said that the majority OF
these were foreigners, and that the
bill was meant to protect home people
Delegate Johnson said he had never
met peddlar who was even an Ameri-
can. After considerable and somewhat
acrimonious discussion the bill was
ordered TO its third reading.