Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-04-23
Special to the Register.

charleston, w. va, April Z-.-lu us
Constitutional Committee to-day, Mr..
Farr, from the judiciary sub-commit-
tee, reported an amendment providing
that circuit courts shall have power to
remove from office any county or dis
trict officer for gross immortality, neg
Iect of duty, incompetence, etc.
Mr.. Toler offered amendments to the
twelfth article OF the Constitution in
regard to education, abolishing capita
ton tax. striking out the clause provid-
ing for raising revenue for the support
of the schools by special levies, and
providing for a State levy sufficient to
provide for at least six months school
in all districts alike, but giving cities,
towns and villages the right to lay spe-
cial levies for the support of their own
schools; prohibiting the creation of in
dependent school districts and author
izing the Legislature to establish addi-
tional State normal schools.
Mr.. Farr proposed an amendment ex-
empting farm products from taxation
for the year in which they are produced.
Mr.. Whitaker sent to the clerks desk
and had read a letter from Henry NJ.
Russell, of Wheeling, recommending
that the fixing of salaries of judges be
left to the Legislature; that the number
of supreme judges be increased to five
and a change in the thirteenth section
of the bill of rights in regard to jury
trials before justices.
Also a letter from A. J. Clark, Of
Wheeling, recommending that the jur-
isdic.ion of justices in civil actions be
limited to cases involving 800; max
ing Ohio county one judicial district,
with two judges
Also letter from Caldwell & Cald-
well, suggesting similar amendments.
Mr.. Hanen, from the committee on
education, reported an amendment rec
ommending that the permanent school
fund be limited to one million dollars,
and that all accumulations of said fund
over one million dollars be annually
applied to the support of the free
schools of the State and to no other
purpose whatever.
General John McCausland, of Mason,
appeared before the committee and
spoke in favor of tax reform in county
administration. He wanted the coun-
ty court to consist of one member from
each magisterial district, and the limit
of district levies be placed at % cents
unless the people, by a three-fifths vote,
decided to make it higher
Mai. Thos. l.. Broun, of Charleston,
spoke on the subject of land titles. He
thought the constitutional provision
ought to remain as it is. The courts
had been trying to construe it for twen-
ty-five years, and as a construction had
at last been finally settled upon it
should not again be disturbed.
John B. Floyd spoke in a general
way upon several proposed amend
ments. No action was taken on To-
ler's resolution providing that the COM
mittee visit various portions Of the
State.
Mr.. Toler's resolution, mentioned
above. is as follows:
Whereas, A large number of attor-
neys, firms, miners and business men in
different portions of the State desire to
appear before this committee, and
Whereas, No provision has been made
by which the expenses of travel of
such persons can be paid, and
Whereas, 1t is the sense Of the com
mittee that such persons should have
an opportunity to present their views to
this committee therefore, be it
Resolved. That this committee be di-
vided into two subcommittee of nine
members each TO be selected by the
chairman. whose duty it shall be TO visit
the sections Of the State hereinafter as
signed to them for the purpose OF giving
the citizens and representatives Of all
business interests an opportunity Of pre-
senting to the committee their views Of
the respects wherein, in their judgment,
the constitution is defective and needs
amDdment. and for the purpose Of ascer-
tanning the consensus of public opinion
as to the character Of such amend
ments.
The said Subcommittee shall each be
ACCOMPANIED by an efficient stenogra-
pher. to be designated by the chairman,
who shall take down opinons and inter-
views as may be authorized by such
subcommittee; and when the work Of
sucb subcommittee shall have been
completed. the stenographer shall tran
scribe and compile such interviews and
opinions in the briefest manner possible,
but so as to preserve the substance and
continuity of each opinion and inter-
view and shall make up a complete re-
mort Of the proceedings Of his sub-com-
mittee. and submit the same to this
committee for their information. The
said subcommittee shall make inquiry
and report upon the following points
and upOn any others suggested to them,
or which they may deem pertinent:
I AS to artice 8, section %, shall the
sessions of the Legislature be limited,
81 ;f eo how ard to what extent? Shall