Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1901-01-31
Legislative Proceedings.

One of the most interesting contests
of the session was the fight in the Sen
ate Tuesday over the bill to increase
the State school tax from 10 cents to
% cents. The advocates Of an ill.,
crease had expected to catch their op-
ponents mapping, but after many ef-
forts to amend the bill so as to insure
its passage, the last proposition being
to increase only to Is cents, the bill
was finally defeated by the scant mar
gin of two votes, which it is believed,
disposes of the measure finally, al
though efforts are being made to force
a similar bill through the House.
Senators Campbell, of Jefferson Har-
mer, of Harrison, and Price, of Hardy,
led the fight against the bill, and Sen
ators Osenton, of Fayette; Kidd, of
Gilmore Heron, of Nicholas, and May,
of Lincoln, spoke in its favor. The
debate at some stages was rather acrl-
monious and evidenced the interest
taken in this legislation The friends
of lower taxes in the populous centers
and agricultural counties of the State
Will rejoice at the defeat of the bill,
which would have been a great injus-
tice to these sections.
The first bill to pass both houses of
the Legislature was the measure pro-
viding for the presentation to Congress
of statue of West Virginia's War
Governor" Francis H. Pierpont, and
appropriating $4,000 for that purpose.
1t provides that the Governor, Presi-
dent of the Senate, Speaker Of the
House of Delegates, ex-ofhcio; Jas. F.
Brown, of Charleston Clarence l..
Smith, OF Fairmont; John Frew, Of
Wheeling, and Thomas C. Miller shall
constitute commission to secure the
statue from competent artist.
Senator Kidd offered a bill concern
ing railroad charges. 1t provides for
a fare rate of 2 cents mile on roads
exceeding % miles in length, and 5
cents mile on roads not exceeding
that distance,
Mr.. Wetzel, Of Jefferson, does not
take great deal of stock in the ship
subsidy bill now before Congress, as
be thinks the principle involved is
violative of the spirit Of the United
States and of the interests Of the peo-
pie. He offered a resolution which
requests the Senators and Representa-
tives from this State in Congress to
vote against the bill should it be sub
mitted to a vote, and to use all proper
means to accomplish its defeat. 1t
was defeated by party vote.
1t is said that several bills have
been prepared to carry out the views
of Governor-elect White as to the re-
organization Of the various boards
that manage the State institutions.
These bills will be submitted to the
Republican cauucs before they are in
troduced in the Legislature. They
will give the new Governor the power
to appoint new boards throughout.
The Pan-American bill, appropri-
ating $4,000 for the Buffalo Expcsi-
ton, was tabled in the Senate, After
a stiff fight the bill of Senator Camp
bell of Jefferson, changing the date of
holding teachers Institutes and allow
ing pay for attendance thereon, passed
the Senate.
The Legislature seems to be getting
tired of the Berkeley Springs property.
A proposition that is meeting with ia
vor is one to sell the States interest.
Senator Campbell, of Jefferson, is
one Of the members Of the committee
to redistrict the State.
Mr.. Wetzel introduced a bill au-
thorizing Shepherdstown to refund its
Indebtedness by issuing new bonds at
lower rate of interest than 6 per
cent.
Mr.. Wetzel introduced bill con-
corning the taxation of real estate en-
numbered by mortgages,