Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-01-31

the Legislature. Even Gen. watts,
who was one Of the most OutsDoken
supporters Of the idea, admitted that it
was inoxpedient. since the benefits to
be derived would be hardly common
surate with the necessary outlay Of
money. 1t was pointed out by those
who opposed the proposition that the
adoution OF o new constitution would
not quiet the objections TO the present
instrument. but that efforts would be
made at each recurring session Of the
State Legislature 20 submit amend
mepts 20 a vote OF the people. When
the matter YVES considered on FRIDAY Oy
the Joint judiciary committees OF the
House and Senate, there was not one
voice raised ia advocacy Of the PROPOSE
ton.
Since it is conceded on all sides that
the present constitution is faulty 10
many Of its provisions, IL Is more than
probable that several amendments Will
be submitted 90 the voters az the next
general election. One Of these will, IN
an probability, provide for the gradual
distribution Of the irreducible school,
fund, which now amounts TO three
Quarters of million, iu round numbers,
and is constantly Increasing, notwlth-
standing the fact that there is a crying
necessity for financial aid In sustaining
and improving the free school system
throughout the State,
TWO MEASURES PROPOSED.
Two measures have been proposed,
having the, same end In view-the dis
tributlon OF the school fund. One was
introduced I'm the House by Delegate
C. w. Brockunier, OF Ohio county,
which was reported IavOrably by the
Finance Committee, and has passed TO
its second reading. The other was in-
troduced in the upper house, by Sens-
tor Finley, and referred TO the senate
Judiciary Committee, which has not
yet acted upon it. The points OF I'LL
ference between the two bills are very
slight. Senator Finley thinks his meas
ure Is the better because 10 specifies the
number of years in which the fund
shall be distributed, and leaves the
amount 10 be- distributed each
wear. in the discretion Of the Leg
islature. But it is in just the
provision mentioned that Mr.. Brock
unier, and friends Of his proposed
amendment, think Senator Finley's
measure IS faulty. Mr.. BrOckunier's
bill provides that SIS, 600 with all the
interest annually accruing TO the fund,
and all the monies received under the
present school law, shall be annually
appOrtiOned among the hfty-tOur coun-
'-tieS~ OF the state. Should his measure
become law, the fund would be dis
tributed in about ten years. Senator
Finley's amendment specifies five years
as the time, but he thinks the time
should be extended to ten years. He
argues that Mr.. Brockunier's measure
lacks 1exibi.ity, 10 that 10 does not
allow the annual expenditure OF
more than the fixed sum, while
the needs OF the school system may re-
Quire a much larger expenditure one
year than another. The amendments
are similar ia other particulars, and 1t
is more than probable that one or the
other will be submitted 70 vote OF
the people.
THE REGISTRATION LAW.
Another proposed amendment which
has the sanction Of public sentiment, is
that which provides for the repeal of
the section OF the constitution which
forbids the passage OF registration
law IN the State OF West Virginia.
This is now before the joint judiciary
committee, and will probably be report
ed favorably.
Considerations OF economy are the
only possible factors which can defeat
the two amendments mentioned above.
1t has been estimated that 10 costs
about $40. 600 TO submit a constitutional
amendment, but 10 is not believed that
this fact will have any weight when
urged against the movement, because
OF the importance Of the matters, and
the benefits TO result therefrOm. 1t
was this regard for economy which de-
feated the proposed constitutional con-
vention, and the amendment 20 In
crease salaries Of Governor and Su-
preme and Circuit Court Judges.
The bill introduced in the House, pro-
Viding for 3 Gubernatorial mansion, is,
however. looked upon favorably. Mem
bers OF the Committee 10 which it was re-
ferred have been securing prices upon
desirable property i'm the vicinity OF the
capitol, but are met with unreasonable
demands. II is proposed TO spend about
SIS, 600 on a suitable home for the chief
executive officer Of the State. The
Governor Of Virginia receives salary
Of s., 600 and is furnished home dur
ing his term Of Office. In this State
the salary, including the amount ap-
prOpriated for house rent, amounts 20
but So, zoo, and it is q patent fact that
nearly every person who has occupied
the highest position in the gift OF the
State, has left the Office with deficit
IN his pocket-0Ook.
THE WORLDS FAIR APPROPRIATION
scored a decided victory in the Judiciary
Committee on Saturday, when IL was
decided by a vote Of 5 70 5, to recon-
mend that il be granted. Gen. St Clair
has been untiring in his efforts to Sc
cure the Appropriation, which the Com
missioners assert is absolutely neces-
sary to a proper exhibit OF the wonder
full resources Of the Little Mountain
State" Messrs. Chancellor, NaylOr
and Bowers, OF the Board, are also here,
working for the appropriation. They
have prepared an estimate Of the diStri-
button Of the mOney asked for, which
has been submitted 70 the Committee.
The State has been allotted space IN
Forestry, Agricultural, and Mines and