The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-02-09


legislature. With the exception of a
little furry in the house In the morning,
nothing occurred to disturb the equil-
brium OF the members. The ripple was
created by Mr.. Oldiield, on question OF
personal privilege. 4 local morning pa
per had published. anonymously. an
incomplete letter written several weeks
ago. by u member Of the house to
friend,ia which the statement was made
that IL the Democrats continued their
policy OF unseatins Republicans. the
Republicans intended to secede and or
gani2e q new house. Mr.. Oldleld stated
before the house that he was the author
of the letter and charged that It had
been stolen from his desk. He asked for
i committee to investigate. The house
granted his request and Messrs. Cut
right, Bowman and Grant were appont-
ed. The committee made, inquiries.
which developed that the lette" had
been picked up by some one and hand
edNto Il correspondent. In view OF these
facts It IS believed that Mr.. Oldfeld will
drop the matteN ~
Mr.. Dent was not on hand to-day to
take his seat. He Is expected here to-
night.
The most important action OF the SEN
ate to-day was the adoption OF the re-
port rs amended by the senate of the
constitutional commission. Mr.. Osenton,
(DemO, was the onlV member who vot-
ed against 1t. 1t will now so 10 the
house.
y bill was introduced In both the
senate and house providing for the
erection OF fire proof building for the
supreme court, auditors and tceasurers'
offices, state librarian. and the West
Virginia historical and antiquarian So
ciety. 1t is to cost not more than 100000.
The governor, president OF the senate,
and speaker of the house are made a
committee TO select and condemn 4 site
for the purpose. The bill Is the result OF
tho investigation made into the cond:-
ton of the state house by joint COM
mlttea.
Mr.. Hurst's bill setting aside
certain days and half days as legal hol-
days passed the house to-day. The
days set aside are: New Years day:
Washirston's birthday: the Fourth os
LNNoisAtip.I la SllIISlIIluS Lay.
any national or state election day, ana
all days that may he appointed or rec
commended by the governor o: the statd,
-of-p ppesi>ieut-of the United Suites. An.
other Important measure passed by the
house was Mr.. Bowman's bill for the
eSta hlishnent and maintenance of pub
lie libraries nnd reading "ooms for the
benefit OF the schools. The question as
to whether such improvements are de-
sired Is to be submitted 10 the voters of
each school or independent scho0l dis
triCt.
That University Measure.
The committee on education Is now
attracting more interest from the out
side than any other committee in the
house. Not that it has more on its
hands than any of the committees, rs
that burdeaSCme honor belongs always
to the committee onthe Judiciary. but the
former has now under consideration Il
matter which Is attracting attention
from ali parts OF the state-thc question
Of aholishing the prcparat tory depart
mcnt OF the state university. The meas
urc was introduced by Mr.. Davis, of
Harrison, several days ago. but has not
yet been considered by the committee.
which desired to give the opponents oc
the bill outside of the legislature II
chance TO be heard
The object OF the bill, as has been
stated before. is 10 raise the standard OF
the university. The opponents of the
measure regard it as Il very doubtful
improvement If not positive evil. They
claim that the preparatory branch Is
absolutely essential because of the lin
tied standard octhe schools of the state,
except in the largest towns that have
high schools. and that to abolish 1t
would be an irredeemablc error.
Senator Fast, who Is bitterly against
the bill, and is member of the facultg
q. the university, states that the ex-
pense TO the state of maintaining the
preparatory department is merely noml-
nal, only few additional instructors
being employed. The remainder of the
corps OF instructors is made up of the
regular members Of the faculty.
Hon. George C. Str.slss. president OF
the board OF regents OF the university,
is here fighting the bill: and it is en-
pected that President Raymond and
other officials OF the university Will np-
pear before the committee to argue
against II.
The IrrcduCiblc School Fund.
yesterday. providing for the dstrlbu-
ton OF the irreduciblc school fund, Is
probably the most important feature OF
the report OF the constitutional commits
sion; and Is one part of that report
which ough. to become law. 1t win let
out of the Golfers of the state for the use
of the free schools and other cducation-
nj institutions, thousands of dollars that
are now doing nothing more than draw
ing interest. AS the amendment pass
ed, Il Will be ten years before the fund
Is distributed, so that the generation
now growing up will derive some benc-
ilt from the fund. But the idea OF
boarding Cor generations stu unborn,
while the poo" country districts are nov
clamorlnE for more ana better cduca-
tlon. has impressed itself on many OF
the members as unjust
The amendment, as originally pro-
posed By Mr.. Smith. provided for the
distribution Of the fund in annual In
stallmenta for five years. Mr.. Whitaker
wanted it to cover fifteen years. and Il
compromise was therefore made on ten.
The board which IL 10 take charge OF
The fund. consists OF the governor. su-
pcrlntcndcnt OF schools. treasurer, and
attorney general.
Delegate Frank llarmison IS much
pleased over the passage of his Bcrkc-
low Springs bill. He steercd 1t through
himself aud succeeded in getting 1t sent
to the senate on the very day OF the
plsaaac The bill lcgali2cs and author.
Izrg the execution OF q lcnse and
agreement made by tho trustees or the
celebrated Berkeley springs property
to Dir. Charles ", Chancellor. of Balti-
more. The. lease wGs originally made.
under deed approved by the lcgisla-
sure OF 1897, with John L. I!crrc!!, OF