Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1903-01-31
SALARIES AGREED upon.
Judicial Committee Has at Last
Come TO Agreement.
ANTI TAX COMMISSION ACTS


Lobbyists Are ia Favor Of a Constitutions
Convention -Pu Food Measure.
Charleston. w. Va. Jan. 24-A'
has been the case SO far during thC
session 81 tha Legislature, the pro
ceea;aas III noitleg branch lasted any
great length Of time. Nothing fur
ther can be done before MONDAY and
likely not much for a week or ten
days. This can not very well 0e avoid
ed. The committees have to clear
iva the rubbish so that proDer legis-
lation can be enacted. It Is Surprising
what a diversity of schemes are con-
templated in bills that are introduced,
and if they coald all pass, the State
would almost be thrown into chaos.
The Senate 50 far has done much the
most work. and has advanced some
bills on its calendar. and killed others.
Several bills reported not to pass by
the committees have been rejected.
The most important matter in winch
any definite action has yet been taken,
is that Of officers salaries. The ju-
dietary and finance committees of the
two houses. held a joint meeting and
decided on a bill to be reported in re-
gard to this matter. Some of the mem
bers favored giving the Governor as
high rs $40, 0Co a year, and others in
proportion, but more conservative
views prevailed and the salaries were
placed al follows:
Governor s., 900.
Secretary OF State 81, 500.
Auditor "a, 800.
Treasurer 80, 500.
ATTORNEY General 81, 800.
State Superintendent Of schools
50. 800.
Supreme Court Judge 81, 500.
Circuit Judges So, 600.
CLERK of Supreme Court 81, 500.
Adjutant General 81, 200.
The bill in reference to these sala-
ries will contain the above figures
and it is pretty certain it will. pass
about Is reported.
There is some talk of g constitu-
tionaI convention, here at this time.
1t looks like a clever scheme TO avoid
hax legislation aud DELAY it. To hold
such a convention viii still further
complicate the situation, 1t will take
a long time 70 perfect laws under a
new fundamental State instrument. 1t
is idle to talk of the mere expense OF
a convention being the main cost. The
legislation following on the adoption
o. a new constitution viii be a matter
which will come near bankrupting the
State.
The constitutional convention busi-
ness looks like a clever scheme by the
corporations whichdou't want tax leg
islation, to block the same. The pro-
position to have a convention will be
submitted to the people to vote wheth-
err or not they want any. 1t is almost
certain TO be voted down. This of
course will be exactly what the mono.
plies aud corporations desire. There
Wall DC nothing doing to set at them
while the convention matter is being
agitated. The shrewd and clever man
ayers here see all this and assiduously
cultivate a sentiment in favor of a
convention. This is in fact, their
long suit and as they are well paid
for their work who can blame them?
They board at the Ruffner and live
onEthe fat of the land and of course
want to earn their board and clothes.
The farmers and butter makers are
after the oleomargine dealers. and
the House finance committee has fa-
yorablv reported "a bill 20 whack a
tax on all substitutes for butter.
1t looks as though the bill to redis-
trict the State for judicial purpose is
dead.
The finance and judiciary commit
tee are fairly swamed with work. II
will take them two weeks to get the
matters before them cleared away.
Al the outset it looked as though all
monument aud ipuketing bills would
be killed, but the tendency is now in
the other direction. Interested mem
bers are getting together.