Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-02-04

and draw out these fat fees for a while,
at least. Mr.. Dawson, who is TO be
Secretary Of State, and Mr.. La Follett,
the Auditor-elect, have been watching
Mr.. Stapleton very closely to see tn"
these bills did not get into the He
as they feared the result. Mr.. 7 < q
told Mr.. StapletOn last nigh. rH .
was afraid of the discussion - > .s
, in the House would engenO lard
feelings among the members anO ne de-
sired 10 avoid this, If possible. The
! truth is, he did not want the bills pass
ed, nor did he want the Republican
members to go on record as voting
I against the abolishing Of the fee sys-
TEN, after the party had made such
/ fight for it two years ago.
Although the House judiciary commit
tee has not taken any action in regard
10 the liquor dispensary bill introduced
/ by Mr. Harlow. IL is the tacit understand
I ing that no action will be taken upon it
I and il will be allowed to die in the COM
mittee The saloon keepers Of the State
| have sent word 10 the Legislature that
/ if this bill is passed the Republican party
will have TO encounter the opposition Of
/ the liquor men at the next election. The
dominent party I'm the Legislature have
decided not TO permit even the discussion
/ Of the bin in the House, as they do not
want TO 40 on record as either favoring
/ or opposing it.
/ There have been in all these bills in
troduced. TWO in the House and three in
/ the Senate in relation 70 the levy for
State and school purposes, increasing the
+ levy for school purposes and reducing
the levy for State purposes. This IS an
other class Of bills which the members
DO not want TO have their votes recorded
/ on. and have therefore decided to let
J them quietly sleep in the committees 10
which they were referred.
Senator Young's bill TO prevent corrupt
practices at election. which met with such
| violent opposition when it first came up
/ for consideration. is now meeting with
/ more favor and will probably be passed
/ by the Senate. The indiscreet remarks
of certain members Of the Senate on
Monday in opposition TO the bill seems
, 20 have had the effect OF bringing friends
to IT, IL was soon apparent TO the lead
Z ers on the Republican side that opposi-
tiou to II would serve to call attention
to the corruption practiced at the recent
election. and give evidence Of the desire
OF the Republican party TO perpetuate
! itself I'm power by corrupt practices. The
bin will probably be passed by the Senate
and sent over TO the House. where it will
be allowed TO die i'm some committee room,
n the leaders Of the party don't want it
passed The Republican members evil
IDENTIFY want TO be recorded on the jour
nails as favoring pure elections, whether
thsy really want pure elections or not.
The military men are here in force TO
watch the fight on the bill 10 reorganize
the State militia. II they succeed in get
ting II through the House they have no
fears in the Senate. as it Is already as
certained that a majority OF the Senators
favor the reorganization OF the military
of the State II the bill fails. there will
likely be an end Of the military force in
West Virginia. as the officers will likely
lose heart and interest in il. They are
unable under the present law. to enforce
discipline among the men or to accom-
plish any Of the numerous reforms that
are necessary TO efficient service. There
is an element In the Legislature who are
fundamentally opposed TO the military OF
the State. especially those representing
the laboring classes. They feel that they
have been unjustly intimidated and CO.
creed by the military. and they would
gladly get rid OF IT, while there are 9TH
ers and probably a majority I'm both
houses. who believe that obedience to law
can only be enforced by an efficient mill
itary force.
II is reported on what seems good
authority. that Governor-elect Atkin-
son has about decided to appoint o. B.
/ Wetzel. of Jackson county, TO be State
Bank Examiner.
W. ". busch. of Wheeling, is in the
city.
| S. s. Jacobs. Of West Liberty, is at
the Peyton.
NJ. C. Holmes and c. NJ. Hart. of
Clarksburg. are here.
r. r. HOrner. editor Of the Parkers-
burg Sentinel. ia at the Ruffner.
los. II. Gallaher. a prominent poll
tician of Moundsville. is in the city.
Hon. y. B. Scott. Of Wheeling, Re
publican National Committeeman, is at
the Ruffner
! L. c. Powell. editor of the West Vir-
ginian. and ". s. Meredith, OF Fair
mont. are Ruffner arrivals.