Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1901-02-16
BILLS ADVANCED.

| Charleston, W. Va. Feb. 13. Yes
terday was advancing day in both
houses. Bills were ground ont in the
House from second to third reading
in rapid succession, and likewise in
the Senate.
The House passed the amended
schoolbook bill introduced by Smith
of Ohio by vote Of 36 to 20. The bill
revolutoinizes the method Of selection
Of public school books, abolishes the
county system and vests this authori-
| ty in state central body called the
state schoolbook board, consisting Of
eight members TO be nominated by the
state superintendent Of free schools
and commissioned by the EGovrenor,
| thus making the state superintendent
the real appointing power. He is
also made a member of the board,
and the board of public works is
vested with the right to reject selec-
tions made by the school board.
Powerful outside influences and a.
strong lobby are at work for and
against the bill, and its fate in the
Senate is uncertain with chances
against its passage.
| Senator Davis bill amending the
state banking law, heretofore passed
| by the Senate was read second time
in the House. The 10 so-called Rip
per bills reorganizing the boards of
the various state institutions, were
advanced to second reading in the
Senate and to third reading in the
House. These bills are practically
in the House certain of final passage
without change and will give to Gov
ernor-elect White absolute control in
the appointment of the directors of
the states institutions.
| The joint committee appointed to
visit the penitentiary and the ROM
ney Deaf and Blind Asylum made
their respective reports, highly COM
mending both institutions.
| The bill creating an advising board
to investigate applications for par
dons has got through both houses.
having passed the Senate.
| 1t seemed certain at the beginning
of the session that constitutional
convention to give to West Virginia a
new organic law would be called. The
proposition is now dead, the republic
can party caucaus having decided to-
abandon it, and instead to push to
passage five proposed constitutional
amendments embracing the questions
of putting state officers on salaries
and abolishing fees, creating the
office of county treasurer. Providing
for election and creation of office of
lieutenant gov ;ernor adding judge
to the Supreme Court and abolishing
| the irreducible school fund.
Ripper Bills Passed.
Charleston, w. Va, February Ia.
In the Senate Yesterday the commit
tee that visited Secretary of the Navy
Long, with reference to appropriate
action by the State regarding the
cruiser ''West Virginia reported re
commencing that the State shield be
cast in bronze and placed upon each
of the main turrets of the cruiser,
and that committee of five from
the Legislature and five to be APP
pointed by the governor be created to
take the matter i'll charge
| In accordance with the recommen
dation Senator Hammer offered joint
resolution providing for the commit
tee and making an appropriation OF
81, 500 to carry out the plan. The re-
solution lies over under the rules.
The Senate passed the following
measures:
House joint resolution 2S, to amend
the constitution so as to abolish the
irreducible school fund; House bill
| l7S, amending the law in reference to
school levies; Senate bill 80, to pro-
vide for the support of wives and
children, House joint resolution 80, to
authorize board of public works to
have the attorney general and
other counsel appear for the State in
the case of Hatfield VS.. King now in
the Supreme Court of the United
States.
The vote on House JOINT resolution
No. 2, was announced and the resolu- |
ton declared by 81 to 0.
Mr.. Hel bert M. Wilson of the Unit !
ed States geological survey, addressed
the Senate during a fifteen minutes
recess on the subject of the State
making an appropriation for having
geological maps made of the State, say
ing the general government would pay