The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1897-02-24
.cnARI.rsroN. Feb. 1s. Is97.

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CHARLEsroN, Feb. 1a. 1897.
AS was only TO be expected in
view OF the complexion of the
Legislature the bill changing the
time for the appointment of the
directors of the asylums, and ex-
tending the same from March lst
to March 10th, has been passed
over Governor MacCerkle's veto.
This action gives the Republicans
majority on each board and
makes the appointments matter
for the determination of Governor
Elect Atkinson instead of Govern
or MacCorkle. But its worst fea-
ture is that it reduces these insti-
tutions to the level of politics.
The new election law to which
reference was made yesterday has
been prepared by Chairman Daw-
son, of the Executive Committee
and is based upon the system in
force in Ohio. Under its proyis-
sion bipartisan election boards
are to be appointed at each pre-
cinct as also a bipartisan county
canvassing board. These boards
are to consist of four election
commissioners, two being Demo
Gratis and two Republicans. and
another provision is that the
County Courts shall have no
further control over election re-
turns. Challenged votes are made
the subject of special regulations
of a rigid character, but if voter
answers all questions and takes
necessary oaths, his vote is cast
unless majority of the board
DEGREES otherwise. The most ex-
traordinary provision of the new
bill is that it makes persons who
sign petitions swear to vote for the
candidate they endorse. Among
the minor matters it is to be-
noted that the size of the ballot
paper isrednced by the omission
of the addresses of the candidates.
The listing of voters by the asses
sor is also abolished; poll clerks
are not allowed to render assistance
save in cases of physical infirmity,
illiteracy not being held to be a.
sufficient ground for such assis-
tance, as it is held that the voter
need do no writing, and if he cam
not read he can be guided by the
emblems which will still be retain
ed at the heads of the several
tickets. The crosses are still to-
be used to indicate a voters
choice of candidate or ticket.
The illness of the President of
the Senate has postponed the ap-
pointment of the Commission to
revise the State Constitution, and
it is now more than probable that
that work will not be undertaken
at all this session.
The bill to establish an indus
trial home for girls is fairly on its
way to passage. The Importance
of this measure is such that while
there is clamor for economy in
the expenditure of our finances
vet little hesitation will be shown
in meeting the requirements of.
this bill financially, and all that
seems left to do is to decide how
the money shall be spent when it
is in the treasury.
In both Houses large amount
of time was expended in discussing
matters of secondary moment, or
dallying with measures that don't
seem to make much headway and
which have been up for considera-
ton almost since the session be-
gan, among these being the mill
tary bill and the school book ques-
ton.
More time still was taken up in
discussing the appropriation of.
$4,000 for the Bethany College, a
matter which; does not appear to.
meet with the generous approval
to which SO deserving an institu-
ton is entitled. If the Legislators
do not come to its aid the chapel
will be closed at the end of this
college year never to be opened
again, contingency that is some
thing those in favor of higher
education cannot contemplate with
complacency.
Only passing interest was mani
tested in Speaker Hanen,s bill