Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-01-22
LIVE GOSSIP Of THE
STATE LEGISLATURE.
LAUGHLIN'S WHEELING PUBLIC
LIBRARY BILL THE FIRST ONE
PASSED BY THE HOUSE.
NEW LIQUOR LICENSE BILL.
THE MEASURE TO ALLOW WHEEL
ING TO SELL ELECTRICITY
SEEMS TO HAVE CLEAR
COURSE.
Special 70 the Register.

Special 70 the Register
CHARLESTON, w Va, January 81.
Mr. Alderson's resolution regarding
the discoloration of the waters of the
New River by the iron ore washing
IN Cripple creek, was the cause of an
interesting little discussion in the
House. The resolution recited in its
whereases that the clear waters Of the
New River were intended by the AL
mighty for the use of man. Mr.. Nc
lntosh said he had no objection to
the resolution except that he didn't
think it proper to declare the purposes
of the Almighty by legislative resolu-
ton.
Mr.. Alderson-Mr. Speaker, if there
is any sympathizer in this House with
the iron companies that are destroy
ing these waters for the use of the
people Of West Virginia, he might as
well be uncovered now as any time.
Mr. Mcintosh. who represents Fay
cite county, through which New River
runs for many miles, and whose people
are more interested in the matter than
those Of any other county, had moth
ing further to say.
Mr.. Anderson is very much in earnest
in trying to have something done in
this matter. New River used to be
one Of the clearest, most beautiful
streams in the State, but since the
iron ore mines have been in operation
on Cripple creek. which flows into it
in the State OF Virginia, the entire
river has been turned to dirty yell
low, as has the Great Kanawha. which
New River and Gauley join in making.
The soluble matter from the ore which
these waters hold in solution render
them unfit for drainage or other domes-
tic purposes. even staining clothes that
are washed therein. The game fish in
which the streams formally abounded
rendering them fayorite resorts for
spOrtsmen from all over the country,
have been driven out. and destroyed.
thus robbing them of another OF their
most attractive features. When
member of Congress Mr.. Anderson Sc
cured the. passage OF a bill directing
the War Department TO take steps to
do away with the pollution complained
Of, but it was decided that as New
River is not a navigable stream the
general government has no control
over it. The only way therefore by
which the end sought can be accom-
plished is through the Virginia State
government, TO which Mr.. Aldersons
resolution is intended to appeal II
this attempt fails, the boosted beauty
OF the waters of New River and OF this
Great Kanawha will be gone forever,
or until the Cripple creek mines shall
have ceased to prove profitable.
1t Is quite feather in the cap Of Mr..
Laughlin that his bill for the establish
ment OF a public library in the city Of
Wheeling should have been the first
to finally pass the House. The bill
provides for borrowing as much as
$4,000 for the purpose of erecting a
suitable building for which bonds may
be issued to be paid by a special levy
Of not exceeding three-hfths of a mill
on the dollar of assessed valuation.
1t is believed that Mr.. Laughlin VIII
have another triumph to his credit in
the early passage Of the license bin Of
which he is the patron, and which,
having run the gauntlet OF the law
yers on the judiciary committee. will
not be likely to find any serious OBJ
structiOn to overcome in the House.
The bill to authorize the city Of
Wheeling 10 furnish electric light TO
private consumers, introduced by Mr..
Smith. will have a clear course. II
seems impossible TO comprehension
that matters could be so juggled as
that this right should have been taken
from the city and its restoration is an
act OF simple justice.
The joint resolution prepared by
Judge Henry Brannon and introduced
into the House by Mr. Reynolds 20
amend the constitution so az TO pro-
vide for five judges. Of the Supreme
Court Of Appeals instead OF four. has
been reconsidered favorably by the ju-
dietary committee. and unless a con-
stitutional convention is agreed upon
will doubtless be adopted Anothsf
judge is needed as the work has great
ly increased since the formation Of the
court and is still rapidly increasing.
Hon. W. w Brannon. of Lewis county.
nephew Of Judge Brannon by the
way, has also introduced Joint reso-
luton looking to the same purpose ex-
eept that his goes further changing
the term Of the once Of the Judges
from twelve years 10 ten, and proyid-
ing that nos more than three members
Of the court shall be Of the same polit-
ical party. Mr.. Brannon says the Re-
publicans have talked 50 much about
-partisanship in the judiciary that
he wants 10 test their sincerity. His
resolution, however, viii be smoother
ed in committee or be reported back
adversely. Republicans are not nearly
so non-partisan when in Office as when
out. When the devil vas rich" you
know the rest.
Mr.. McColloch's friends have been
having a good deal Of fun with him
about what they call his goose bill.
This was a bill introduced by him for
the prevention Of cruelty TO fowls
providing that geese. turkeys. etc,
should not be confined in GOODS in
which they could not stand upright or
carried with their heads lower than
their feet Mr. McColioeh, by the way.
is an alert and watchfui member, keep
ing well abreast Of the progress OF
business In the House.
The bill TO tax oil and gas produc-
ton Is still widely discussed. 1t IL