The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1896-10-02

pubic prii. ;aI 3einoctatic aud stiils he
did NOT resign 81 200.
The Legislature Of 1891 was in ses-
sion from the 18th day Of January till
the 14th day Of March inclusivaly,
being extended beyond the constitu.
tional limit. It paid it, members the
sum Of s25, b4s.4O and appropriated to
the Democratic public printer $64, 900. 90.
at win be observed that the printer did
not even threaten to resign this year
Its 80 called "acts' are put In q book Of
100 pages, but these are nearly all from
the Secretary Of State, being charters
of corporations. This Legislature
passed some good bills, however, being
notable exception In this particular to
any other Democratic Legislature Of
West Virginia.
The Democratic Legislature Of this
State for 1889 and the extra session Of
1880, was in session 90 days. It passed
only ono bill Of importance. that estab-
fishing reform school. The total
number Of pages Of acts passed are 173.
The total appropriation for the pay of
members was sso, 4So.sO. 1t only paid
the public printer ISL, 900. 00-and still
this patriotic Democratic official did not
resign this year.
Tho Legislature did one big thing,
however-it stole the Office of Governor
from the r1an who was elected to it.
The Legislature Of 1887 was in session
10 days. It passed about half dozen
bills Of minor general importance and
Its cost was in proportion to the other
Democratic Legislatures 1t did not
neglect the Democratic pnblic printer.
He failed to resign this year, as usual.
So 1t went for over 20 years and The
Gazette submits that the late .incom.
petent" Republican Legislature was the
best and most respectable that assem-
bled after 1870.
This catalogue Of extravaganza and
idleness might be enlarged to great
length, to show all the extraordinary
conduct Of the Democratic Legislature
OF West Virginia, the unwarranted up.
preparation. the carelessness in passing
acts. the slothful record and the big
DRINKS, but this article will close with Q
few general statements.
The Democratic Legislature Of 1871
called constitutional convention that
cost the State an immense sum Of
money, without any adequate return.
The Democratic Legislature of 1872
lasted 100 days and passed mass Of
1000 pages of the most absurd, ungram-
NAUTICAL stuff ever known US law.
Que Democratic Legislature attacked
the public printer aud proved that he
was extravaganza and wasteful but did
not punish him.
Another Democratic Legislature inn
peached one Democratic State official
and tried to impeach another.
Every Democratic Legislature elect
ing United States Senator was the
recipient Of all kinds of presents, from
steamboat rides and liquor and cigars to
silk hats and goldheaded canes. with q
possible piano or two thrown in, while
checks were given many candidates in
advance.
Every Democratic Legislature wound
up with so-called banquet, at which
whisky and wine were furnished in
abundance, and on the election Of one
United States senator, there was an all
night debauch, in which the clothing
was torn from at least one member of
the Legislature
This is certainly enough. It will be
observed that The Gazette deals in spe-
cific statements and accurate figures,
and not in generalities like the plat
form of the late Democratic State con.
vention.
Perhaps by this time the Democratic
State platform wishes it had never been
born.