Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-01-12
NLL|GAN, NlkIN ( 60
1893, 114O& 1i42 MARKET ST.

the pardonlng power, and the number
OF applications is too great to allow
him TO give them proper care and con-
sideration.
Special appropriations. for extraditing
| criminals, a chaplain for the peniten-
tiary, and provisions for "childrens'
homes" for orphans and INDECENT chill
dren are recommended.
The Governor recommends the enact
ment OF law to punish by criminal
proceedings, SANDER and libel. He
says: Ones good name, personal re-
putation and private character should
be classed on level with his life. The
law OF all the states says the assassin
shall be prosecuted criminally. The
same law should say that the assassin
Of character ought also to be prosecut-
ed criminally. 1t is not my purpose to
infringe in the least, upon the rights
of free speech and q free press This is
a free country, and every citizen should
be allowed to express himself freely,
either viva voCe, or in print. But there
should be a law in every state prevent
ing everyone from wilfully ana DELHI
erately attacking the p:~Fa5o, personal
character of another. without just
cause"
Concerning the Election Law, he
says:
THE present election law needs rad
ical amendment. The purpose Of a bal
lot is to aid the voter in the expression
Of his choice for public officers and up
on public questions; but the ballot pro-
Vided by the law as it now is, results
in the practical Acknowledgement Of
hundreds Of voters; and these are by
no means ignorant voters. The meth
cd of preparing the ballot is illogical.
Recounts by county courts should be
stopped, and many other features OF
our present law need amendment. |
beg especially to call your attention to
Senate Bill No. ISL, introduced into the
Senate of the last Legislature, as, in the
main, a wise measure. 1t was very
carefully prepared, and thoroughly con-
sidered by several very capable gentle
men. 1t is based largely on the very
excellent laws of Ohio and New York.
Among it's provisions are a simple and
plain ballot, the provisions for more
parties on election boards at each pre-
cinct, and at each county seat, as we'll
as the burning of the ballots after they
are counted by the precinct election Of
ficers. This latter provision will stop
the TecOunts by county courts, which
have disgraced the State in the past"
The Governor offers a page of argu-
ment against the laying up Of money to
educate coming generations, and earn
estly recommends an amendment to the
Constitution. directing the distribution
of this large fund in reasonable annual
installments, until the same is consum-
ed. If this were done, it will increase
the school period from one to two
months in every school district within
the State. and will necessarily be of
great advantage to our children who
are now of the proper age to attend the
public schools
An immigration bureau, to induce
immigration to West Virginia, State
commissioner of revenue, to secure
equality Of assessments for taxation,
new rules regarding the Berkeley
Springs property, better pictures of
the States Governors by better artists,
a larger appropriation for labor at the
Capitol, repairs upon the Capitol build
ing, an electric light plant for the Cap
itoI and Governors mansion, new
boilers for the Capitol, fountain for
the Capitol grounds, larger grounds and
sion, State representation at the Paris
Exposition, representation at the To-
ledo, Ohio, Centennial Exposition in
1908, provisions for remarking Mason's
and Dixon's line, are among the minor
recommendations.
Concerning Constitutional amend
ments. the Governor says;
That the present Constitution badly
needs amending is generally conceded.
The Legislature, at its last session, ap-
pointed a committee to prepare a series
of necessary amendments, which have
been carefully prepared and will be
presented to your honorable body for
consideration during your present ses-
sion. This matter is of grave import
ance to all CT our people, and deserves
the most serious consideration at your
hands"
The Governor says the State has
been paying premiums on very much
more insurance than should have been
carried and that the Board of Public
Works has largely reduced this insur-
ancc, saving much money to the State.
The State geological survey has been
carried forward as expeditiously as the
appropriations would permit, and the
Governor recommends that the survey
be completed as quickly as possible.
The message closes by wishing the
Legislature a pleasant sojourn at the
capital, and the Governor tenders anv
assistance he may be able to give the
Ia