The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1897-09-22

surplus in the State treasury
Of West Virginia appears to be as
offensive to West Virginia Repub-
licans as g surplus IN the national
treasury is to the Republicans Of
the nation. The Democratic poll
10y Of economy in the expenditure
of public funds. rigidIy maintained
during its control of State affairs
for nearly quarter of century
is sought to be superseded by the
Republicans now in power by
Systematic and persistent looting
Of the State treasury The Re
publican party did not wait until
the State executive officers were
safely installed in the capital, but
made an indecent rush for the
treasury as soon as the legislature
convened last january. By the
employment of horde of unnec-
essary clerks and assistants. 2
whom it was found necessary to re-
ward for party services in the cam
paign of 1896, it almost doubled
the cost for salaries for officers
and clerks over any other previous
session under Democratic rule.
Let the figures testify to the truth
of this assertion. Officers and at
taches of the last Democratic leg
islature- of 1898 cost the
State 1921 66 per day. The same
service in the last Legislature Gre
publican) cost the State $349. 50,
or a difference of SI27.87 per day.
Not content with this reckless
and shameless raid upon the treas
ury constitutional committee
was contrived, which was in ses-
sion nearly or quite month, en-
ploying clerks at SO per day each,
which accomplished practically
nothing, and which no one, posi-
bly,. except members of the legis-
lature, could ever see the use of ex-
5cept to give certain members and
clerks jobs. The gentlemen COM
posing that committe, while gener-
ally good citizens and efficient men
in their respective professions and
lines of business, were, with posi-
bly, two or three exceptions, who'll
ly incompetent to do the work
which they undertook. While
they were good farmers, millers,
timber men, merchants. watch
makers, etc., they knew practically
nothing about constitutional law,
or the practical work of construct
ing constitution. The committee
and its work have been treated by
the people of the State with feel
ing little short of contempt. So
far as is known it has not made a
report of its doings.
And now an effort is being made
on the part of the members of the
committee and the numerous en-
ployes of the Legislature to have
the two houses convened in extra
session to consider and pass upon
the constitutional amendments pro-
posed by the committee. And
what are these amendments? They
make numerous inconsequential
charges in the existing constitu-
ton of the State but the ones con
sidered of prime Importance are
those raising the salaries of officers,
creating new officers and increas-
ing the expenses of the State gov
eminent
The last Legislature cost the tax
payers of the State for salaries and
mileage of members, and salaries
of officers and attaches, $37, 639. 81,
and this does not include station
cry and other supplies and expen-
ses incident to legislative session.
1t is not expected that an extra
session to consider the constitu--
tional amendments will cost any
less.
LUZ suppose Ills 01AoA SAo w V
lay for an extra session be made.
Nothing is likely to come of it.
These amendments are just as GER
tain to be rejected by the people as
anything that can be counted upon
as a certainty. The Democratic
party of West Virginia is opposed
to an increase of the expenses of
the State government, and if the
issue is to be made on the question
of an extra session of the legislature
and an increase of salaries by con-
#stitutional amendments, we are pre-
pared for the issue.-C Charleston
Gazette.
Agrees with HIM.