Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1901-01-12

WhG1 they convened wednesday a. nova
IN the introductory he coagrasuiates
The members OF the Legislature upon Inc
auspsc:ous circumstances which surround
IT, ~Contentmenl. says tho Governor,
sis manifest on every hand Labor is enl-
pioyed and the farmer is prosperous.
Money, he says. is plentiful. business IN
ali its avenues was never better. Capital
is yielding fair reward TO its holders.
No scourge of any sort has visited Us
since your last assembling. Tie clouds
OF war, which hung ever us TWO years ago,
have dispersed. The glory OF the nation
has been extended.
"Manuiac urers were never more pros :
porous since West Virginia admission 10
the sIsterhood of States. Our Industries
are on an upward tide. New mines are
opening in all Of the available sections OF
the State. and the song Of the saw is heard
early and late along our wales and hiii-
sides, transforming our tlmocr into luni-
Der for which there is constant demand
We owe no State debt and capital is COM
ing within our borders for our profitable
investment. In short, in the midst OF
health and plenty, our citizens are taking
a mighty hand in the development OF the
resources which benehcent Providence
has bestowed upon us as people and a
State.
The Treasury balance for the fiscal
year of 1900 St,6s7. 24o. is worthy OF
special consderation. because OF the TACT
that the Legislature two years ago appro-
priated 100000 more money for public
purposes than at any previous session, and
yet the rate of taxation upon the property
of the people OF the State was not in
creased, and at the same time all State
obligations have been met
The Governor recommends that the
State University and the Deaf and Blind
Asylum and all State schools receive APP
preparations of reasonable amounts Tor
their necessary wants and improvement !.
The West Virginia Hospital for Insane,
the Second Hospital for Insane and al
reformatories are asked to be remembered.
In his report the Chief Mine Inspector
has discussed ali features pertaining to the
greatest industry of the State that Of
coal mining. West Virginia should be
proud that she now stands third among
the coal States, only ., 100000 tons be-
hind Illinois.
The Governor speaks in terms Of praise
Of the S ate's banking system and bank
ing laws. but says there is a general feel
Jog that our present law is inadequate TO
our needs and that more careful and ef-
fective system Of State supervision should
be devised.
On child labor he says. Protect the
children of our State against ignorance
and prepare them for the higher educa-
tional requirements in every department
OF life He then recommends that the
law be changed SO as to make it unlawful
70 employ children under ia years OF age
in the mercantile, mining and manufac-
turing institutions in West Virginia. He
recommends the establishment OF State
board of arbitration and Cancellation for
the adjustment of controversies between
capital and labor in this State. He de
cries the importation OF outside labor in
to the State.
The Governor believes that the eight
hour law should be extended from State
employees to all persons who do any kind
Of labor, and so recommends in his mes
sage. He touches rather extensively on
the West Virginia National Guard. and
praises it in sweet words lie holds
that the military establishment of free
State should be the special object of pride
and fostering care on the part OF the law
making body and of the Executive. He
believes that provisions should be made
enabling material increase.in this force
and that liberal appropriation should be
made for the Guard. The Governor adj
vocates good roads throughout the State.
Redistricting of the State and the subject
of constitutional amendments are touch
ed upon. He recommends legislation on
the redstricting of the State and thinks a
constitutional convention should be held.
he touches on many other subjects.
Among the most important of his rec
concentrations is one asking an overhaul
ing OF the corporation laws. for the pur-
pose of increasing State revenues. He
advises the removal of the present limita-
ton on land which corporations are al
lowed to own, also the limitation as to
the amount of capital stock. He recon-
mends an increase Of the license tax on
corporations and that it be placed upon
graduated basis. according to the paid
up capital stock, with heavier tax on
foreign corporations.