Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1895-03-09


the following, the most concise ac-
count of the proceedings of the last
session of the West Virginia Legis-
lature:
The Legislature of 1895 enacted
into law ninety measures, among
which we would especially note.
The general appropriation bill,
which carries from $4,000 TO $780,
600 less than any appropriation bill
for ten years, efectlng that large
saving to the people.
The school book bill, which mode
the contract for the text books in
our public schools at greatly reduced
prices, and which will effect saving
to the public of as least quarter of
a million dollars a year for the next
five years. For this grand achieve
ment, Hon. p. w. Morris deserves
the greatest credit.
They abolished the office of Fish
Commissioner, thus getting rid ofthe
expense of maintaining useless Off
Ger.
A law was enacted clearing the
titles to lots owned on "boom" lands
where the body of the tract was sold
for the on-payment of taxes, the
owners, TO hold their property, hav
ing now to pay the taxes only upon
their own lots.
School districts can now vote for
either four or five months school, but
the taxes shall not exceed fifty cents
on the hundred dollars.
A new county, bearing the eupnon-
ious name of Mingo, was created
from a part OF Logan county.
A law permitting the COMMITTEES in
charge of the estate of an insane per-
son to encroach upon the principal
when the interest arising from the
property is not sufficient for his
maintenance.
One making any justice or con-
stable who fraudulently issues fee
bill against person not chargeable
Herewith, or an excessive bill. guilty
of misdeanor, punishabl. with fine
and imprisonment, besides making
him liable for damages to the extent
of four times the fraudulent charge.
They relieve the farmers OF the
necessity of putting board on top
of wire fence to maze legal. Now
four-foot fence Of six strands, the
first strand five inches; the second,
ten; the third, seventeen; the fourth,
twenty five; the fifth. thilty-six and
the sixth, forty-eight inches from the
ground being a proper or lawful
fence. Alex. Clohan is entitled to
the credit for its passage.
They gave to graduates Of the Pea
body normal school, Of Tennessee
and such West Virginia institutions
as the board think proper,in addition
to those formerly prescribed, the
right to take out teachers certificates
without examination.
Railroads must now use the same
classifcations for freight for traffic
wholly within this State as the inter-
State commerce law prescribes for
inter State frei2hts.
Railroad companies are now pro
hibited from engaging in coal and
coke agencies, and are limited to
their proper sphere as common car
riers. This is SAID to be the best
bill upon this subject ever enacted
anywhere.
A bill was passed doing equal JUS
tice to all, creditors aud debtors, in
cases of business failure or assign
ment.
The late sheriffs now have till De-
cember 81, 1895 to collect delinquent
taxes. A very important measure.
A bill was passed forming COM
mission to enquire into the validity
of the claims of soldiers who enlisted
prior to the formation of this State.
All persons hereafter desiring to
practice medicine, whether graduates
or not, are required to pass an exam
ination before the State Board of
Health. One of the most important
acts ever passed by any legislature,
in any State.
An act was passed requiring city
councils to fill vacancies till the next
general election only. This provides
against a recurrence of the difficulty
which arose IN the recent Russler-
Martin contest, in Martinsburg.
The education of children in the
alms-house was provided for. A
most humane idea.
The Secretary of the State Board
Of Health has been clothed in powers
that enable him to prevent the spread
of contagious diseases among domes-
tic animals.
The boards of regents of the State
University, TIE Normal School, and
the Deaf and the Blind schools have
been reduced from Is to 9 persons,
and made non-partisan.
A bill was passed providing means
for removing disgraced or immoral
county or district officers.
A non-partisan State Board of Ag-
riculture, consisting of men actually
engaged in farming only was created.
The agricultural interest of the State
have Alex, Clohan to thank for this
law.
And last, but not least, Berkeley
county is allowed to fund its bonded
indebtedness, which now pays six
per cent interest, at the rate of four
per cent. This means saving, even
if the bonds bring but par, a prem
ium is assured,-this means saving
of twenty-one hundred dollars year,
almost fifty dollars a week, seven
dollars every day, to the tax payers
of this county.
Besides the foregoing measures,
many laws of minor or of local i'm
portance were placed upon the
statute books.
No body of men who ever sat in
the council halls Of this State can
hooe+ n ,>rnudor raoorJ than 4hot