The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-02-07

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Special Dispatch to tho IntellIsencer.
CHARLESTON. W. Va, Feb. s.--The
senate committee on privileges and
elections VIII report to the senate in
favor OF giving to Kidd, the Democratic
contestant, the vacant seat from the
Fourth district. This conclusion was
reached by the committee this after
noon, after brief and harmonious ses-
sion. Every member of the committee
present. Mr.. Woodyard being the only
absentee. voted for 1t, and Morris, tho
Republican contestant. made speech.
in which he acquiesced in it. The COM
mlttee met at 10 o'clock. Senator An
thony Smith presented the report of the
subcommittee. which went to Parkers-
burg to recount ballots. 1t was in cr-
feet that Il change had been discovered
In the recount OF Wood county sufficient
to reduce Kldd's majority to n; and
also that Irregularities had been discov-
cred In the vote cast at one of the
Burning Springs precincts, in Writ
county.
The action of the committee hinged
upon the conclusion reached as to the
legality or illegaljty OF this vote. The
committee decided that the alleged IL
legalities were not sufficient grounds
for throwing out the Vote. In his
speech OF acduiescence with this con-
clusion, Mr.. Morris stated that he had
inauSurated the contest in good faith
that fair investigation showed him
that he was not entitled 10 the seat
and that he would not have wanted It
on technicality. With the same GER
tainty 1t may be stated that the house
Will seat Dent. The committee on
privileges and elections will make no
further report, and the house majority
will base its actions on the report made
by the committee on January %. This
being true, IL may be seen how the two
committees stand for fairness, by COM
parlson.
The most important measure yet
passed by either branch went through
the house to-day. 1t was Mr.. Mans
fields bill. providing for re-assess-
ment OF all the real estate in the state
1t provides for the appointment by the
auditor, on the recommendation of the
county courts. of commissioners in each
assessment district. to conduct the re-
assessment. The board of public works
Is made the board OF equalization. The
assessment IS TO be made in 1900. There
was considerable debate on the bill, the
chief opposition coming from Mr..
Hughes and Mr.. Stephens. who con-
tended that the bill inflicted hardship
on the owners of oil lands. An amend
nent providing for the appointment of
the assessment commissioners by the
board of public works. recommended
by the auditor himself. was voted down.
The Vote on the bill was Sc to j..
Judge John ]. Jackson. of the United
States court. addressed the house for
an hour this afternoon, in behalf of
an appropriation Of 100000 for the
Home for Incurables. at Huntington.
Considerable opposition was manifest
ed on the part Of the members to hear
him, seventeen voting outright against
the motion to grant him permission.
The old judge made an eloquent plea,
which he said would be the last ad-
dress he would ever make before 4
prOmiscuous audience. The house Is
not disposed to allow, the home over
$500Qo
Mr.. Stephens has bill in the house OF
considerable interest to cities in the
state like Charleston, having two tcle-
phone lines. 1t requires all telephone
companies to connect with all other
companies operating within the same
or adjacent limits. so that subscribers
TO one system may talk with other sub
Scribcrs of others. The companies are
permitted 10 charge n fixed pro-rata
for the use Of the interchangeable sys-
TEN.
A proposition that is being discussed
to some extent is a suggestion for the
creation OF II 'truant officer" whose
duty 1t shall be TO look after the school
houses in each district, and to see that
all children are permitted 10 attend
school; in other words to enhance the
efficiency Of the compulsory school
law. The suggestion came originally
from New Cumberland, in Hancock
county, and has been taken up by schoo.
men in this end OF the State.
A resolution has been introduced in
the house for an amendment to the
constitution, providing that charters
shall not be granted to any religious
denomination except missionary socie-
ties. Under 4 recent decision of the
state supreme court tho amendment
hardly seems to be necessary. This
decision was handed down in the case
of Rev. w. +. Powell and others. OF
Parkershurg, against Secretary of State
Dawson, on 4 petition for n writ OF
mandnmus. The petitioners had ap-
piled for IL charter for Baptist So
cicty. which the secretary, of state. on
the advice OF Attorney General Ruckcr,
refused TO grant. They applied TO the
supreme court for n mandamus TO COM
pei him TO do so, hut the court refused
10 grant it. holding that the incorpora-
ton of. such n society would be uncon-
Stltutional