The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-05-31
Special Dispatch to tho 1nteiliEencer.

Special DiSpatch to the IntelliEencer.
CHARLESTON, w. Va. May SO.-The
constitutional committee met yesterday
morning and after transaeting little
business. took u recess till o'clock. In
order to give the members an opportu-
nifty to attend the memorial exercises In
honor OF the Union dead.
Among the important matters conBld-
cred by the committee was the prOpoS-
cd amendment creating the otiice Of in-
surance commissioner and prescribing
for his election by the people of the
state. together with the other state Of
fcers. Senator Whitaker spoke ear
nestly IN favor OF the amendment pro-
posed, as did Mr.. Hanen. There was
no opposition to the measure offered by
any member and coming to q vote. the
amendment carried by the affirmative
votes OF all the members present. Then
on motion of Mr.. Hanen, an amendment
was adopted, fixing the salary at $500
per year, as with the other state ofii-
GERS, and leaving II to the legislature 70
change at any time.
Another important and far-reachin0
amendment was the substitute offered
by Senator Fast, for the report on taxa
tlon. The substitute was adopted with
few minor amendments. The entire
amendment was very carefully prepar-
cd by Colonel Fast and its eject and
purpose elucldated with the strlkingiY
clear and forclble statement and arEu-
ment that characterizes that gentle-
mans utterances The amendment de-
fines In comprehensive way, the sub
jects OF taxation, and specifically and
accurately defines what subjects shall
be exempted from taxation, (the lati-
tude of which Is not clearly defined IN
the present cOnstltutlon), and also Inn
proves on the constitution in enlarginq
and clearly defining the authority OF the
legislature to reach that species OF in-
tangible property which has heretofore
escaped taxation,
This particular part of the aniend-
ment is drawn In conformity with the
organic law Of those states, from which
the legislatures thereof have derived
the authority to tax the business OF tel
egrnph, express and telephone compan-
les, OIL products, palace cars, etc, ana
which stood the test OF the courts.
Among the subjects exempted from
taxation % $40 worth OF kitchen ana
household effects, belonging to hus-
band or parent, which relieves from
taxation on personal property the little
furniture that may be owned by those
who have very little in their home9.
This was an amendment 70 the amend,
ment, and was offered by Mr. Toler. ltl
passage was quite victory for Pap,
as heFhad tried persistently TO work u
in in various ways on number OF oth-
eF occasions when the question OF taxa
tion was up. BY unanimous consent and
n motion OF Mr.. Eanen, the amendment
heretofore agreed upon, ,redtstrtcttng the
judicial circuits OF the state was
changed 80 as 30 effect a different
grouping of few circuits from that
formerly agreed upon. The circuits et-
fected are changed AZ follows;
Sixth circuit-Wlrt, Calhoun and GLE
''st; Seventh cIrcuit-Mason. Jackson and
Ninth clrcult-cabell Lincoln and
Tenth clrcuIt-wayne. Mingo and LO-
S:Fl' Twelfth circut-Faysse. Boone and
There are but two or three matters
pending to engage the attention OF the
committee, and these will be disposed
OF Monday, when the committee VIII
adjourn. Chairman Fast will compile
and prepare the report Of the work @
the committee, presenting the amends
ments adopted, which report viii be
made TO the governor for action there
upon with reference to calling or decitn-
10 cali a special session OF the legisiar
ture 10 consider the same. The mem-
bers OF the committee IN Difference %
(he governor, will not express for pup-
lication, their individual Views as TO the
! wisdom and eXpediencY OF speciA
session, but from private expressions i
10 evident large majority, ana ln Leet'
practically all OF the members want
specIaI session and some of them vary
earnestly favor It.