Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-01-15
HOUSE BREAKS ITS RECORD
WITH ONE hundred BILLS.
A BILL IS A NATTER OF
MORE THAN LOCAL INTEREST,".
BILLS AGAINST PUGIIISM.
MANY MEASURES BEFORE THE
BODY THAT ARE AIMED TO
A~MEIIORATE CONDITION
OF
Special to the Register.

Special to the Register.
CHARLESTON, w. Va, January IA.
The House to-day made a record in
the number Of bills introduced. An
even one hundred was the mark reach
ed, more than We're ever introduced in
to a West Virginia Legislature in one
doy before.
Mr.. Laughlin's measure to provide
for the establishing of a public IL
brary in the city Of Wheeling is one
of more than local Importance because
it is hoped it may prove the forerun-
ner of many others of the same kind.
1t provides that the board of educa-
ton Of the district shall appoint a
committee of five to manage the Ii
brary, that it may issue bonds for the
purpose Of raising money for it's es-
adjustment and maintenance and levy
a tax not to exceed three-fifths of a
mill on the dollar of valuation OF
property to pay off the bonds.
MIR. Laughlin's bill introduced to-day
amending the law concerning the is
cudhSO VI lLCCLoCS " sell llQuOI uudhcS
several changes, the most important
being that it puts the licensing power
in the hands of the Circuit Court in
stead Of the county commissioners.
The Penalties Imposed
are made very severe-from $500 to
S. 5000, where the violater Of the law
has no license and where he has such
license, graduating it from 500 for
the first ~offense, to S., 900 and impris-
onment for the third.
Both the Senate and the House re-
ceived bills to suppress prize fighting,
and each heavily penalties the Of
tense. Delegate McColloch's prescribes
a fine of not to exceed $500, imprison-
ment not to exceed three months at the
discretion of the court. Senator Smiths
bill is much more severe. 1t makes
prize fighting a felony. There is a
strong feeling here in favor of making
exhibitions impossible in West Vir-
ginia, and the Smith bill will receive
strong support.
Almost every Senator and member
from the mining communities has a pet
measure for
Amending the Mining Law,
but Senator Ashby seems to have got
ten the start of all the others. His
bill to amend the law so that mine
bosses will be the agents of the oper-
ators, who will thereby become liable
for damages occurring to those work
ing under the direction of the mine
bosses, has already passed to its sec
ond reading in the Senate and will
soon be knocking at the door of the
House. 1t will undoubtedly pass that
body also.
Along the same line of protection
to miners is the bill of delegate john
son to provide for the inspection of oil
used in coal or other mines.
A curious bill is that of Smith. of
Ohio, to make counties liable for
damages to property by reason of riots,
routs and unlawful assemblages. The
passage of such a measure will make
the taxpayers force sherifs to do their
duty in time of such troubles.
McIntosh's anti-kidnapping bill
makes that offense punishable by
death. Hanna's bill to compel mine
operators to pay their employees at
least twice a month, and in cash, will
meet some strong opposition from
those who think the matter Of fixing
a pay day is one that lies between
Employed and E~mpIoye.
and should not be interIered with. 1t
will, on the other hand, have strong
support from the labor element.
The mines and mining committee of
the House met tonight and considered
Johnson's bill providing for the in
spection of oil used in coal and other
mines. The members expressed them
selves as impressed with the need for
a measure of this kind, and the re-
port will probably be favorable. Con-
sideration Of the bill was continued
until tomorrow, when Chief Mine In
spector Paul will demonstrate before
the committee the difference in value
and safety of vegetable and mineral
oils.
Delegate Smith, of Ohio, chairman
of the educational committee. will to-
morrow call the body together to con-
slider Laughlin's library bill, and it will
be on the calendar and on the
road to passage.
Delegate Reynolds bill for the tax
alton Of telegraph, express and insur-
ance companies is one that is caIcu-
lated
TO Cell a Strong Lobby
here in a hurry. 1t requires each ex-
press company doing business in the
State to pay a license tax of 81, 200 and
imposes taxes of 212 mills on fire insur-
companies, Is mills on life in
surance companies and one mill on
fidelity and guaranty companies.
The vanguard of the school book
lobby has arrived, and the main body
of the army is expected to be here
within a few days.
"A message from Morgantown says
President Raymond has written his
resignation and put it in hands of Mr..
Sturgiss to be laid before the board of
regents which meets here on Friday.
1t has been freely stated here all day
that the resignation had been tender
ed, and when the report came tonight
it was the happening of the expected.
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