Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1895-02-07
proceedings of the Legislature.


The Prince school tax bill, introduced
hv MI Lockney, was killed in the Sen
ate Mr.. Whitaker led in strong ngnt
on the bill. but. in spite of the OPPOSE
t;on il went to its third reading oy
vote of to l3, and it looked as though
II would get through. When 1T came
nm several Senators had changed their
oninlons and the bill was rejected. Inc
hin was short one and provided for a
tav of 30 cents on every 500 for State
nnrposes and Is cents on every 500 for
The support of free schools. Senator
Hackney. undaunted by the defeat OF
the school levy bill, introduced another
bill providing for State tax oil 70 cents
and a school tax of IL cents
Mr.. Davies's bill to establish branch
preparatory school for the State Uniyer-
sity at Montgomery was passed. Inc
bill only received slight opposition
Montgomery is in the centre of the min
ing region.
In the Senate the judiciary committee
reported favorably the resolution pro-
posing an amendment to the constltu-
ton for the disbursement of the irreduc-
lille school fund by distribution among
the counties of the State.
The House committee on education
reported adversely on the bill providing
for compulsory education and free text
books.
The railroad committee reported adj
versely on bills TO prevent discrlmlna-
ton in freight and passenger rates ana
requiring companies to fence tnelr
roads. The committee reported OIL
preventing railroad companies from en-
eaging in the coal and coke business,
and requiring them TO furnish reasona-
BILE transportation facilities for shippers
of these products. This bill was agreed
on in committee by representatives OF
both the railroad and coal companies.
The school book war broke out in the
House on Monday. The bill was called
up out of its order on second reading
and a motion was made to substitute
Harvey's for Hyde's grammars. This
was the signal for the storm. Chairman
Norris. of the committee on education,
spoke against the amendment. de pro-
duced the original engrossed bill of 1890,
making the contract now in force, and
claimed that an IS" had been written
after the word grammar, which
adopted Harvey's "grammars, when II
should have read Harvey's grammar
for high schools. Several other MEM
bers examined the document and eX-
pressed the opinion that the letter had
been added after the original document
was written. Mr.. Morris stated further
that he had other facts in his possession
that he did not care to make public, but
these he could prove if necessary. bis
speech created great sensation. III
was stated that the document in question
had been examined with magnifying
glass. which confirmed his suspicion
that il had been tempered with. Con-
siderable feeling was displayed on both
sides. and a vote was taken, resulting In
victory for the Harvey side by 81 to ~
but a motion was made to postpone its
amendment, pending which adjourn
| ment was had.
Tuesday the fight was resumed and
after considerable .flibustering and
heated discussion a vote was taken.
The advocates of Harveys grammars
won the fight against the Hyde books
by a vote of SO to 81. The Senate
finance committee reported favorably
Tuesday on House joint resolution re-
fusing to confer with Virginia commits
sioners with a view to settling the Vir-
ginia debt question. The resolution
had beeni in the hands of the committee
for more than two weeks.
The House passed the mechanics
lien law bill and bill establishing a
State bureau of labor statistics and
board of arbitration.
I Governor MacCorkle has signed the
bill forming the new county Of Mingo
from Logan county, and the measure
is now law.
It is almost certain that the Legis-
lature will adjourn at the expiration
of the constitutional limit of forty-fve
days. This is the intention and all
the members are working hard to that
end. It's the Republican programme
and Democrats indicate no intention
to obstruct.