The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-02-13
p,ecial Dispatch to tho 1n,clllsenccr.

otlier week of the session of 1893 has
gone by. But two weeks more remain.
They Will be replete with work--hard.
steady, earnest work--but with, even
that, not 4 third OF the business on the
calendar can be disposed Of before the
gnvels fall for the last last time during
the present regular session.
The week Just past has been n busy
one. Contests, partizanship and politics
have. taken u place in the background.
and business has been the motto OF ev-
cry member. On not more than two or
three matters that came up was there a
partisan vote, and In nearly every in
stance Democrats and Republicans
have taken sides with each other. This
phasi=cd in the senate In the vote on
the Morrls-Kidd matter. Az I result OF
the disposition OF the house 10 get down
TO business. two bills are now awaiting
the signature OF the governor and n
score or more will be In the same con-
ditlon within the next few days.
Election Bill.
One OF the most important measures
to be disposed of by the senate the
tlomirs week is the Cole election bill,
which was under consideration the lat
ter part OF the past week. The bill re-
vises the entire election law OF the
state and Is therefore very lengthy, COW
arinu pipafrtp,a ,, roc n . rri,t>d ,,,a.
ter. The bill makes some very decided
changes in the present law. It is al
most. identical with the Ohio election
law. which has proven more satsfac-
tory than the one now In force in this
state. The most important innovation
Is in regard to the appointment; of cleo
ton commissioners. Instead of three, as
heretofore, there are TO be four. two
from each OF the two leading parties. II
does away with re-counts by providing
for the destruction of the ballots at the
polls Immediately after being counted,
with the exception OF such ballots about
which there may be question as to
legality. Such ballots are to be retain
ed. numbered and accompanied by q de-
scription by the clerks rs 10 marks and
any other extraordinary characteristics.
These ballots are then 10 be sealed and
preserved, in case OF contest.
Another innovation Is for the appoint
ment OF 4 board of canvassers other
than the county court. to consist of four
persons. two from each OF the two lead
ing political parties These canvassers,
as well as the commissioners OF cleo
tons. are to be appointed by the county
court, OF the recommendation OF the
county chairman Of the two leading
parties.
\ Ticket Device.
Stlll anothe: provision not embraced
in the present law, is for the placing OF
4 device, to be selected by the state
chairman OF each party having ticket
in the field. at the head OF the ballots,
the object being that the voter may cas-
lily recognize the ticket FOR which he de-
sires to vote. Underneath the device Is
10 be placed blank square, in which
the voter makes mark. thus rindicat-
ing for which ticket he has voted. In
stead OF scratching the name OF any
candidate for whom he does not desire
TO vote, the voter will make mark In a
name for that purpose
The clerks are prohibited from going
into the polls with any one except per-
sons who may be physically disabled,
The object is TO disqual!ty that element
which is purchasable
The bill VIII probably go through the
senate without any great amount OF
opposition, but II Is likely to encounter
considerable in the house.
To Increase Corporation Tax.
a measure that is now attracting con-
siderable attention from certain quar-
ters is bill! introduced Saturday in
both the house and senate. 20 increase
the license tax on corporations. Thi,
increase is 10 go rs an annual fund to
the state university. The tax Is to be
doubled II the bill becomes r law
there will be created FOR tha; important
institution very substantial revenue.
without any additional hardship having
been inflicted upon the state.
The senate will go into executive scs-
sion Tuesday TO confirm the appoint-
ments made bTf Governor Atkinson
since the beginning OF his admin;stra.
ton. 1t is not likely that the governor
vii! meet vita any rejection.
Gas and Oil Interests.
Mr.. Grant, OF Monongala. yesterday
introduced in the house u bill OF the
most vital Importance to the natural
gas and oil industry OF West Virginia.
1t makes 1t unlawful for anyone or any
company to use any artificial device for
pumping or increasing the effect OF the
natural now OF gas or oil. The object
Is 10 gnard against the tavages OF the
Pennsylvania operators who have
leases on oil and gas lands in this state.
anu who have strained their rights 30
far as to use artificial processes OF
great force TO draw the supply from tho
ground. BY creating vacuum and
producing an immense suction power
they are enabled 10 draw Oft the oil
from the area surrounding their wells.
but not included In their leases, without
having 10 so to the expense OF leasing
new lands and putting down new wells.
Delegate NiNon's Condition.
Special Dispatch TO the Intcll!Ecncer.
CHARLESTON. W. Va, Feb. l..-The
condition OF Delegate John Nixon, Of
Marshall county, who was stricken with
paralysis yesterday. is tonight SIN
very critical. His entire right side is
plralS2cd and he Is speeches.. HIS
wife and daughter nro with him.
Dclcgatc Frank lIarmison. OF Bcrbc-
ley county. Is also In the hospital, but
his Illness is not serious. He Will be uu.
IN 4 few days.