Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-02-06
Special T.lsoram to ~ R.oiEsr.

SDseial Tslsoran 10 tss Rs0ii,sr.
CHARLESTON, w. Va, February g.
Most Of the actual work OF the present
session OF the Legislature has been done
in the committee rooms, and it is there
that the hardest fighting and most ami
mated discussions take place. This is
particularly true Of the House, and it is
due to this fact that the Senate is ahead
Of the lower body in the amount Of
business transacted. No bills have yet
passed both houses, and as over half Of
the forty-hve days Of the session have
passed, it will require some tall
hustling to dispose Of the legislation
awaiting the action Of both Houses.
Old members, however, say that the
present body will compare favorably
With its predecessors in its promptneSs
IN dispOslng Of the business before IT,
PrOtracted or spirited discussions In the
House have been the exception rather
than the rule, and not much time has
been wasted. The Senate is so largely
Democratic that but few discussions
have assumed partisan nature.
FEW PARTY MEASURES.
Very few bills have yet been intro
duced upon which party lines have
been drawn in the debate, but it is ex-
pected that the caucus on Monday
night will map out a programme OF
nnr Ia in
tion TO determining the attitude which
the Democratic members will assume
tbward pending measures. In this
event, the battles will be fought ont on
the floor Of the House. as the Republi-
can members realize that they have not
even a fighting chance In the Senate,
on party measures.
Most Republican members are opposed
10 Mr.. BrOckunier's resolution proyid-
ing for an amendment 20 the State con-
stitutiOn to gradually distribute 70 ire
ducible school fund, and II 10 passes II
<will be by a close vote. II will require
a two-thirds vote 20 submit the amend
ment, and the vote In the House by
which the resolution was ordered 70 its
engrOssment and third reading, was five
short Of the necessary number. or the
absentees, a majority are known to be
favorable TO the amendment As be-
tween Mr.. Brockunier's resolution, and
that Of Senator Finley, the former will
probably be accepted, since the opinion
OF members appears to favor the distri-
button Of a specified sum annually rath-
Pr than leaving the matter In the diScre-
tion OF future legislatures. II is con-
ceded on all sides that the fund is
ACCUMULATING TOO RAPIDLY,
and also that the free school system OF
the State is in need OF financial aid TO
secure longer terms aud establish
schools in sparsely settled districts.
Republican members favor the fixing Of
a maximum limit to the fund, and argue
that it should not be abolished, as IL
guarantees aid to the school system for
All time. Several members OF that pO-
litical persuasion, however, favor the
amendment providing for the distrlbu-
tion Of the fund.
Little opposition has yet been de-
RelOped to the other proposed constitu-
tional amendment, TO provide for strik-
ing out the section fOrbidding the pas
sage of a registration law. It has not
advanced very far, but il Is considered
as essential 20 8 proper ballot law.
A measure which has already stirred
up considerable hostility, and which
promises 70 DO bitterly fought If 10
comes before the House, is Mr. Dan
drldge's bill, empowering the Governor
10 appoint special conStables to do pO-
lice duty In any county in the State,
wherever, In his Judgment he deems 10
a hvro
number Of the leading citizens OF Nc
Dowell county, and MessrS. j. j.
ATurner, 7. +. Turner, and T.. :. Hen
ritz, OF that county, are here working
in the interest OF its passage. IL the
situation In Mcdowell county is as ba
as reported by the advocates Of the bill,
some legislation to remedy If will be
found
AN IMPERATIVE NECESSITY.
Il is asserted that there are about
thirty mining companies doing business
within q radius Of fifteen miles, and
emplOying between five and seven thou
sand miners, mostly negroes and for
eiRners. Very few Of these men have
families, and upon pay days they as
hmble, drink, and quarrels, fights and
deeds of lawleSsneSs eRsue. 10 is
claimed that the police force Of the
county Is insufficient, and on account
OF the location o,tbe mines, the men
are enabled TO commit crimes and eS-
cape across the borders Of the State into
Virginia and Kentucky before they are
arrested. Prior 70 the last election,
the county was governed by Demo
cratic Sheriff. who appointed deputies,
selected by the different operators,
who paid them to guard their property.
The Republican Sheriff, chosen at the
iaast election, declined 70 appoint the
men selected BY the companies, but
agreed to RppOint deputies II he was
allowed to make his own selections. To
this the computes would not give their
consent, bnt prepared tho bill now be-
fore the II )uss Judiciary Committee.
! The Judiciary Committee, at its meet
inQ on Saturday had the matter up for
4 consideration, bit took 10 action upon
n. Mr.. Will ChHon addressed the cOm-
Amittee in.suppok Of the bill. and Dele
rate Cook, Of \ poWell, upon invita-
tiop. made q st 1ment 20 the commit
tee. he Admit hat there was
A aREAIItEAL OF CRIME
his countY, b thought the hsriR