Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1899-02-02
The Legislature.


The West Virginia Legislature is
now down to active business, and both
houses are giving consideration to the
many measures before them. The ses-
sion is more than half over
One of the most important meas
ures introduced in the House was a
bill which provides that an election
be held Oh the fourth Tuesday in May
next to ascertain the sense of the peo-
pie on the question of calling a con-
stitutional convention, and in case it
is favorable the Governor to so de-
clare by proclamation in the newspa-
pers and another election shall be
held on the Tuesday after the first
Monday in November next for the
election of ffty-one delegates to sail
convention, twelve to be from the
State at large and three from each
senatorial district in the State. The
convention is to be held in the State
Capitol, beginning Oh the third We'd
nesday of December, 1899, the consti-
tuition so framed to be submitted to
the voters of the State for their rati-
fcation or rejection. This bill will
probably excite more interest and call
forth more interesting debates than
any other measure introduced at the
present session.
A bill was passed in the Senate
providing for the assessment Of for
eign building and loan societies doing
business IN the State to the amount Of
all loans made in the State by them.
a bill is beng discussed in the
House, requiring insurance companies
to pay the face value Of policies issued.
Both houses have passed joint res
olution appointing commute to IN
vestigate the disbursement OF an appro-
pration made last session for the pay
ment of military claims. About 500
600 was spent, and it is charged that
there was fraud in its distribution.
The Democratic majority in the
House is very indignant at the out
rageous injustice Of the Senate in un-
seating Senator Kidd, and will retail
late by cutting to the lowest possible
figure the appropriations required by
the State government II Senator
Kidd is given his seat they may con-
slider the matter Of being more liberal.
The two houses are at losgerheads, and
AS very little legislation IS being done
it is believed that the general appro-
prlation bill will be cut short The
House passes a bill and the Senate re-
fuses to pass it, and vice versa. The
usual committees to visit the State in
situations cannot be agreed upon and
it is quite probable that each body, in
stead of sending joint committees, will
each send its own committee.
A resolution was introduced in the
House requesting the Senators and
Representatives in Congress from this
State to exercise their influence to Sc
cure the proposal of an amendment to
the constitution of the United States
providing for the election of United
States Senators by direct vote of the
people. 1t was adopted by a direct
vote Of 81 to t.
A resolution was adopted in the
Senate calling upon the Governor for
list of the pardons he has granted,
and his reasons therefor.
Mr.. Bowman, of Barbour county,
has introduced bill providing for a
State tax on incomes.
Resolutions have been introduced
by the Democrats calling for de-
tailed statement Of the fees received
by the Auditor and the Secretary Of
State. The Republicans will resist
an investigation of this subject 1t is
also said that there will be an investl-
cation of the expenditure of the Gov
ernor contingent fund. 1t is charged
that this fund was spent in the most
wasteful and extravagant manner, one
item being bill of $40 for champagne
incurred during a junket of one day
in New York.