Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-02-24


asked the governor to veto.
1t was railroaded through the Sen
ate by Mr.. Baker, of Randolph. Ba-
ker's home is in Beverly, the county
seat, which the Elkins people seek to
have changed to that town. While the
bill was under consideration in the
Senate Mr.. Baker received a telegram
from Senator Elkins stating in so
many words that the object of the
measure was understood, and that
those who advocated it, would not be
forgotten.
The governor vetoed it upon the
ground that its provision preventing
two elections for a county seat change
within five years, was unconstitutional.
The bill originated in the House. When
the action of the governor was COM
municated to that body, the House re-
fused to pass the measure over the
veto.
The above statement of facts may
lend significance to a remark made by
Senator Baker tonight. He said:
when we came down here we had a
majority of seven in the Senate, that
has been wiped out, and the Demo-
Gratis have a majority OF three. If it
were not for getting even with some
people, l would resign my seat and go
home"
Governor Atkinson added another
to his list of remarkable public docu-
ments to-day. 1t was stated in these
dispatches that he would very prob
ably veto the valued policy insurance
bill. This was based upon his state
mentS that he regarded it as a per-
nicious measure.
To-day the governor transmitted to
both branches an elaboration of the
opinion referred to, accompanied by ali
argument that it would make bad
law, but that the only way of cOnvinc-
ing the people of the fact would be
to give them a two years dose OF 1t.
The governor enumerated fourteen rea-
sons for his opposition to the bill,
which may be stated in concise form
about as follows:
1t is against public policy. 1t is
impracticable, unjust and class legls-
latiOn; puts a premium upon arson;
it opens a bid for INSCRIPTIONS agents
to cOnspire with policy holders to de-
fraud; it will narrow the scope of
operation of legitimate companies; it
will drive out of the State many solid
and safe companies; it will deprive the
State of a large amount of revenue;
its perniciOuS effect is shown in the
experience of other States; the demand
for the bill comes as a public cl2mOr
based on a false idea to which it is
never safe to yield; it will turn loose
a lot of wild cat companies who Will
write policies and never pay a loss.
These reasons might be regarded as
sufficient for an ordinary man, but
they are not potent enough for the
gubernational paradox who concludes
his remarkable paper with these words:
- cannot and will not endorse this bill,
but in as much as the people of West
Virginia are determined to test the meas
use, waive my Judgment by declining to
veto it. In doing this, 1 confess that l will
be criticised, but l honestly feel that it
is the quickest and best way to determine
the matter l have long since learned that
there is no school 50 effective as the
school of experience"
After passing the general appropriation
bill the Senate adjourned without holding
night session. The House did not con-
clude it's consideration of the apprOpria-
ton bill until tonight. There is radical
difference in many of the items, and
conference committee will be necessary
before either the Senate or House bill can
become a law. If any stubbornness is
manifested in the matter of receding, the
end may only be conjectured.
The Senate will not attempt to pass any
more measures originating in that branch;
it will be entirely useless.
No Legislature in the history of the
State has had harder work for the clos
ing of the session than the present body.
Friends of Mr.. Elliott Northcott, of
Cabell county, say that an injustice was
done him in the publication in the Regis
ter a few days ago, in which the state
ment was made that his candidacy for the
Republican nomination for State Auditor
was contingent upon the attitude of Mr..
LaFollette. They say, and it is presumed
that they speak by the card, that Mr..
Northcott is a candidate for the place,
independent of the desires or ambitions
of any other man in West Virginia, and is
a very capable and popular young man.
He will certainly make it very interesting
in the convention for Mr.. James X. Hall,
and the other more or less prominent
Republicans who aspire to the auditor
ship.
1t appears to be the one ambition of
the life of Mr. J. w. Mason to saddle upon
this State a portion of the debt of Vir
ginia. He is absolutely irrepressible. 1t
might have been thought that when both
branches of the Legislature unanimously
adopted a resolution, declaring it to be
the sense of both sides that West Virginia
owes no part of the Virginia debt, and
declining to entertain any proposition
looking to q settlement of the matter,
that the question would not have been
brought forward, for this session at least.
But Mr. Mason is here, and he has
brought a new and ingenious plan for the
settlement of the matter He makes it
comparatively easy for the State TO pay
its alleged share of The debt, but he over
looks the one really important matter of
convincing anybody in West Virginia that
a legal or moral responsibility rests upon
the people of the State.
Mr. Mason had copies of memorial to
the Legislature placed upon the table of
all the members. and Wednesday. Mr.
Morrow, of jefferson, offered the memoir
ial in the House. He stated that he dis
claimed any sympathy with the move
ment, and offered the matter by request