Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1897-01-28
Proceedings of the Legislature.

nomination Of Shaffer was irregular.
Senator Young, a Republican who
could not endorse the attempt to de-
prive Shaffer of his seat, spoke in de-
Tense of the sitting member. Senator
Young said in substance that he was
constrained to differ from the opinion
of the members on his side ofthe cham
Der. 1t was a matter of conscience
with him and his conscience revolted
against the preparation of such
wrong as the unseating of member
who had been fairly and honestly elect
ed. He did not oppose the unseating
of Shaffer from any love he had for his
Democratic party. He was opposed to
every principle of that party, but he
was forced to take this course through
his sense of justice and right. After a
careful examination of the facts as well
as of the law bearing on the case, he
could not cast his vote to deprive any
citizen or number of citizens of this
State of their right Of suffrage, as, in
his Judgment, the unseating of Shatier
would do.
Mr.. Shaffer spoke in his own behalf.
He recited the salient facts connected
with his nomination and election. He
protested that the voters who voted for
him were not misled or deceived. They
we're his personal friends. The certih-
Gates of his nomination were regular
because they were in accordance with
law. The votes cast for him were law
full sand there had never been any
contention that they were not lawful.
He anticipated the result. He would
be deprived of his seat in order to pro-
mote the schemes of one who sought
higher honors, but he would 60 home
TO his constituents conscious Of his hon.
est election and proud of the honors
which the voters Of the thirteenth sem
atorial district had conferred upon
him.
A vote being taken, the report Of
the committee was adopted and Mr..
Getzendanner was declared entitled to
the seat. He came forward and took
the oath Of Office and at once assumed
the duties and privileges of the posi-
ton. Every Democrat voted for Mr.
Shafer, and all the Republicans ex-
cept Mr.. Young voted for Mr.. Getzen-
danner.
Major Z. A. Bennett, member of the
House of Delegates from Cabell coun-
ty, has bill pending before the Legis-
lature of great importance to the own
ers ofreal estate in this State. 1tpro-
vides for the reduction Of the assessed
valuation of all real estate, both farm
ing lands and town lots, to three-ffths
of their valuation of 1896. The pur-
pose Of the measure is to adjust the tax
burdens on lands so as to make them
conform to their reduced market value.
1t is a noticeable fact that while the
market value of land has greatly de.
creased within the last five or ten years,
there has been no decrease in the val
uation for taxation. Real estate IN
West Virginia is assessed in round
numbers at Sal 100000, personal
property, other than railroad property,
at $51 900, 900, and railroad property
at $22,OO0,000. Adding all kinds of
personal property together the assess
ment valuation 1878, 100000, or $685.
100000 less that the assessed valua-
ton of real estate. Its well-known
fact that a great portion of the real
estate in West Virginia, possibly the
larger portion, is assessed for taxation
at value greater than it will sell fer
in the market. Major Bennett thinks
this unjust burden of taxation on lands
should be corrected.
The bill prohibiting females wearing
large hats in theatres was defeated by
the committee reporting to the Senate
that it do not pass.
The bill requiring railroads to pay
taxes on palace and dining cars was
also defeated.
A resolution instructing the West
Virginia Congressman to urge Congress
to pass resolution recognizing the in
dependence of Cuba was defeated.
In the Senate bill was adopted pre-
venting persons not naturalized from
being employed on any State work.
Mr.. Getzendanner introduced bill
in the Senate relating to the diplomas
of teachers
VIM. II. Somers, of Berkeley Springs,
and ex-Sheriff Lewis Largent, of Paw
Paw, Morgan county, accompanied by
Mr.. w NJ. 0. Dawson, the Repubh-
can State chairman, appeared before
the House judiciary committee and
asked that the apportionment of 1891
be corrected so as to restore to Morgan
county its alleged lost right to be rep
resented in the House of Delegates by
a Morgan county delegate. The COM
mittee showed that although Morgan
county had population of 229 in ex-
cess of the number necessary to entltle
it to delegate, it was placed into a
delegate districtwith Berkeley and JEFF
ferson counties. Jefferson and Berke-
ley have each separate delegate in
addition to their share in the two del
egates of the delegate district, but
Morgan has no such delegate Of its
own.
The House Judiciary Committee has
introduced a bill providing for the
revocation of the certificate or license
of any practicing physician who be-
comes intoxicated, 1t applies not only
to those in the habit Of getting drunk,
but to any one who becomes intoxi-
Te-.l I'LL sc