The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1901-01-11
THE LEGISLATURE
DOWN TO BUSINESS
Organization of Both Branches
Perfected and US. Senator s.
3. EIkins nominated for re-
eIsction.
The Governors Message
A Splendid Document.
Chief Executive Makes Reco m
mendations for Many Wise
and Useful Laws. Every
one Pleased With His
Suggestions.

The West Virginia Legislature Is
now in session at Charleston.
The republican members held their
caucuSes Tuesday eveningan effected
the organization OF the House and
Senate and nominated Stephen b.
ElkIns to succeed himself in the
United States Senate.
The joint caucus was held first with
open doors. Judge S. T. Stapleton, OF
Wood county, presided and Senator
II. c. woodward, of Roane county,
was secretary. Senator 7. f. Davis,
OF Taylor, offered a resolution endOrS-
ing the course OF Senator ElkinS and
pledging him the unanimous support
OF the republican members. The
resolution carIed by acclamation.
Senator SCOTS course was also en-
dorSed and he made brief speech.
The joint caucus then dissolved and
the Senate and House caucused sepa-
ratel, to effect an organization. For
president, n. f. Whitaker, OF Ohio,
and Anthony Smith. OF Tyler, were
nominated. Mr.. Smith was elected on
the first ballot by vote OF II to 3. d.
S. Pettigrew, OF Nicholas, was elected
doorkeeper.
For clerk, John T. Harris, OF Wood,
and T.. Fl. Fitch, of Cabel, were nomi-
mated. Six ballots resulted in tic
vote OF to and the caucus WAS adj
journed until . o'clock Wednesday
morning. Senator Markham, Of Cabel,
elected us a democrat, two years ago,
attended the republican, caucus. He
was postmaster at Huntington under
Cleveland'S last administration and
voted for Mckinley last election.
There was n merry fight for speaker
of the House. The candidates were
II. C. Harvey, of Brooke: J. c. DarSt,
Of Jackson; S. e. Smith, Of Ohio; W.
G.. Wilson, Of Randolph; LA. Martin,
OF Kanawha, and G.. G.. Mcintosh, Of
Of Fayette. Wilson led from the
start and was elected on the third
ballot,
For clerk, L. Z. Hood, Of kanawha:
Harry Shaw, of Marion; S. +. HaneS.
OF Marshall, were nominated. Shaw
was elected on the second ballot.
The defeat of Whitaker for the pres
idency OF the senate WAS surprise,
but his loyal support to the last OF
Harris for the clerkship caused his de-
feat.
1t is asserted that the three senators
who voted for Whitaker were Har-
mer, George and Baker.
Mr.. Smith, president Of the senate,
is from Richie county, this district,
and is colleague OF Mr.. Harmer.
i. A. Ripley, Of jackson county,
was elected doorkeeper of the house
and W. II. Ramsay, Of Fayette coun-
ty, sergeant.at arms.
q. S. Senator n. B. Scott attended
the joint caucus and made speech,
which was enthusiastically received.
The Governors message is long,
interesting and able document. He
gives figures showing the splendid
financial condition and progress OF the
state. He recommends the removal
Eof the school for the deaf and blind al
Romney to a larger town. The state
institutions are complimentcd He
suggests that the normal school ut
Huntington be changed intoa purely
pedagogical school and thar the other
normalS be made feeders to ii. He
complains that they are run on the
academic plan and not as nurmals.
The mine inspectors report is MOTTO
ed and pride expressed that West Vir-
ginia is now outranked only BY Penn
\ sylvania ard Illinois in coal produc-
tion. Twenty-Five Thousand men are
employed in the mines and hundreds
Of millions invested. West Virginia
has come from sixth place in 1870, to
third place in 1900. Concerning min
ing legislation, Gov. Atkinson recon-.
mends action on these subjects:
|. Abolition Of company stores.
>. Weighing and measuring coal.
;, Protection Of mines against
abandoned oil and gas wells
!. Mine surveyors should make df-
tidavitS TO correctness Of maps.
\ 8. Prevention OF use OF black strap
and other impure and obnoxious oils
for illuminating purposes In mines,
| 6. Compelling railroads to make
caE distribution upon basis OF the OUT
put OF the mines.
! I. Reduction of assessment yalua-