Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1903-01-17

some s26, 900, inherited from the last
administration,
We may therefore well ask whether
the state has not undertaken more than
it can do, and whether the time has
not come to make a radical change in
our methods and policies.
We must either reduce our expendi-
lures in these respects or greatly in
~crease our revenues, / respectfully
suggest to the legislature the propri-
ETY. of doing away with at least four
of the six normal schools and also the
] two preparatory branch schools, /
Ivcsld racnmmend that q committee of
the legislature to which should be
ded the governor and the state super
intendent of free schools, appointed,
in case the legislature approves this
suggestion. to decide what institutions
shall be dropped.
SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND.
Governor Atkinson wrote most ear
nestlv and Faithfully in his last mes
sage i'll advocating a separation of the
schools for the deaf and blind, and the
establishment of AN institution for the
instruction of the blind at one of the
leading cities in our own state where
they could have those facilities which
they need. and Of which at present
they are deprived, viz. the opportun-
ity Of hearing the lest music and the
best lectures and the best of every
thing, which is so vital a part Of their
instruction. | cordially endorse every
word which Governor Atkinson said
on this subie ct.
WEST VIRGINIA PENITENTIARY.
The reports of directors and the war
den of the penitentiary present in a
very clear and satisfactory manner the
workings Of this institution for the
hi nnial period. The total receipts
from all sources. including sos. 42S as
board for convicts from the United
States government, were $209, 664. 90.
The expenditures in the same time
were $3.50, 6SS. 81, showing q sum of
$2S.976. y in xccs of the ordinary ex-
penditures.
An appropriation of not less than
sos, 900 should be made for the purpose
Of extending the north cell block TO
the limits of the states property, a
distance of 1928 feet.
NEWSPAPER LAWS.
In respect to the requirements for
the legal newspaper publications, the
state Of West Virginia has pursued in
the past a very niggardly parse to-
ward the press. There are many mat
tiers of public interest. and statements
of financial affairs, which ought to he
required to be published, should be at
legal rates and i'm ut least two papers
of opposite politics in each county
where there are two such publications.
The law should also provide that
wherever u publication is required in
a legal prtceeding. it shall be taxed
by the clerk Of the court as part OF the
court costs of the case, and be collect
ed by him at the same time and in the
same manner as the other court costs
are collected and bv him paid TO the
publisher; and that no divorce be
granted or judgement or decree be en-
tered without payment of the publish
er's fee for advertising required in
such case.
No license to sell liquors should be
granted without an advertisement
once a week for thirty DAYS in advance
for the application being considered,
in at least two papers of opposite
politics (if there be snch) in the coun-
ty where the application is made. The
application should state not only who
is APPLYING for the license. but where
the applicant proDose to sell.