Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1901-02-23

OF the party tcdueTS VIM arc nWahCh-
ed to the public demand that the fee
system must go and who see they
must comply with the wishes Of the
people and at the same time allow the
officer select to receive the usufruct
they expected when they ran for
office. AS none of these amend
ments take effect If they are adopted
in time to effect the incoming officials
they just fill the party bill. They
will all pass the Legislature and then
it will be up to the people.
Food Bali Fails.
Charleston, w. Va, Feb 18.--The
Senate bill concerning the West Vir-
GINA Home for Incurables, was
amended in the House admitting cpl
leptics, parlylitics, senile persons and
all sorts of incurables. This amend
inent entirely upsets the classification
Of the bill, defeating its purpose and
was accomplished by the vigorous
efforts of Mrs. Ruffner, the manager
of the home, who appealed to the
members to support the amendment.
The bill passed to third reading as
amended. Senate bill relating to mine
ventilation, inspection and drainage,
passed the House. as did House bill
81, providing for protection to union
labels and trade marks. The ten State
board reorganization bills were adj
vanced to their third reading in the
Senate. Much routine work was ac-
complished in both branches during
the day and many bills advanced on
the calendar.
Swisher's pure food bill was laid
low in the Senate having been defeat
ed when coming up for passage.
Swisher made heroic fight for the
bill and succeeded in getting it through
the House by big majority, but he
was unable to overcome the opposi-
ton of the hostile senators. Much
general interest has been manifested
in the bill and strong sentiment pre-
vailed in favor of it, it being gener-
ally said that such a law was badly
needed to protect this State from be-
ing the dumping ground of the impure
foods of other and surrounding states.
On the other hand there was in evil
dence strong outside lobby, repre-
senting interests which the bill was
supposed to hurt, that made itself
felt in opposition.
Mr.. Darst's resolution for an amend
ment to the constitution creating the
office Of county treasurer also went
by the borad III the Sneate failing to
receive the necessary two thirds vote.
Darst is fightre though, and he says
he will have the vote reconsidered.
Senate bill creating an anatomical
board for the promotion of medical
science, passed.
Senate bill concerning interruption
of free schools literary societies, etc,
passed the House also House bill to
prevent the introduction and spread of
the San Jose scale land House bill de-
filming what constitutes political con-
ventions.
The feature of supreme interest in
the appropriation bills and the one
that seems to be practically insolu-
bic problem is the capitol annex ques-
ton. 1t is estimanted that it will
take about $50, 600 to complete the
building i'll addition to the $50, 600
spent as appropriated by the last Leg
islaure The building is about half
completed and the vast sum of money
named is said to be needed to finish
it. Without it., the building will
not be finished and the finance COM
mittees say, if the appropriation, is.
made, the revenue will not be suffi-
cient to meet the total appropriations.
The finance committee appropriated
in the bill $50, 600 to complete the
building to be paid upon completion,
which amount it is said, will accom-
plish nothing, leaving difficult and
hopeless task before the incoming adj
ADMINISTRATION. The fact is, the finance
committees are in an awful hole'
over the conflicting impossible propo-
sitions, and the difficulty is the alb
sorbing question of discussion among
the majority leaders. The board of
public works will ask the Legislature
to appoint an investigating commit
tee, which will probably be done.
This committee will ascertain all
about the expenditures already made,
and employ competent contractors to
give accurate estimates on the amount
necessary to complete the structure.
There is a strong sentiment that
there should either be no appropria-
ton at all or else enough to finish
the building The basic trouble is
said to be in the fact that the last
Legislature in making its approprla-
ton. and commanding the board of