Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1903-01-22
Proceedings of the Legislature.

commission and the bills to carry out
its recommendations are to have scant
consideration from the Legislature.
Senator Harmer offered a resolution
asking the Senate to take up the tax
commissions report and dispose Of it,
to the exclusion of all other business,
but was tabled by an almost unani-
nous vote. When brought up in the
House by Judge Reynolds, leader OF
the majority, it met the same fate
The sidetracking of the measure in
both houses is a surprise to its friends.
1t is feared the measure has a slim
chance of being considered at all DUR
ing the regular session. ltsadvocates
will probably demand an extra session
to consider the measure, or will insist
upon holding constitutional conven-
ton. 1t is thought the opponents OF
the tax commission measure would ac-
cept the latter plan. Attorney-Gen-
eral Freer, in newspaper commune
cation, warns the people and the Leg
lslatrre against the adoption of the
commissions recommendations. He
recommends the calling of 4 constilu-
tional convention.
Senator Campbell, of Jefferson, Of
fered a bill providing for the creation
of a State railroad commission, with
power to prevent discrimination in
shipments, regulate traffic, and fix rates,
ETC. 1t prohibits railroads from en-
gaging in any other than transport
tation business and from owning
and operating coal and other mines
and engaging in numbering. The COM
mission is to be bipartisan, Is given
wide scope of power, and severe pen
alties are attached toviolatlon of or fall
ure to comply with It's orders. The
bill was referred to the committee on
railroads.
Senator Campbell also offered a
bill providing for the erection at a
point on the Potomac river at Shep-
herdstown of monument to James
Rumsey, the inventor of the steam
boat. An appropriation of $500 is
asked for this purpose.
A bill is being pushed by Delegate
Hutzler, OF Martlnsburg, to empower
that city to build new water system
and condemn the necessary springs
and right of way.
Senator Cornwell, of Hampshire,
offered several bills changing the law
as to bonding and trust companies and
one making defalcations by sheritfs,
constables and other county officials a
felony.
Everett Morrow, of Jefferson county,
son of the late r w. Morrow, was APP
pointed a page in the Senate.
The committee on education in the
Senate reported favorably the bill to
abolish the State University Prepare
tory School, and Senator Northcott
introduced a measure providing for
compulsory education in the public
schools and the appointment of an Of
6cer whose duty it shall be to see that
the law is enforced.
In the Senate the finance committee
reported adversely on bills providing
for a monument at Point Pleasant
commemorative of the battles there
and one for James Rumsey, inventor
of the steamboat, at Shepherdstown
The Senate, however, refused to ac'
cept the report of the committee, anc
both bills were advanced to their Sec
ond reading.
The committees were announced or
Monday. In the House, Judge Rey-
nolds is chairman of the finance com
mittee, and Delegate Wetzell, of JEFF
ferson county, is a member; Mr.. Wet
zell is also on the committees on rail
roads and immigration and agriculture
In the Senate, Ira E. Robinson i. chair
man of the finance committee, the 9th
er members being Senators Harmer
Northcott, Baker, Colcord, Snyder
York, Swisher and Price. Senator
Campbell is on the committees on ed
ucatioS, county and municipal corpo
rations, penitsntiary, rules, mines and
mining; Senator Cornwell is on the
committees on judiciary, banks and cor.
porations, railroads, public printing
and forfeited, delinquent and unap'
propriated lands Senator Harmer il
chairman of the committee on public
buildings and humane institutions.
Senator Campbell introduced a bill
amending the act relating to the spread
of the San Jose scale, etc.
A Jim Grow" car law was intro
duced in the House. 1t was referred
to a committee, where it will proba
bly, die.
A bill introduced in the House tt
exclude the lobby was defeated yes
terday.
Senator Cornwell introduced res
olution that provides for the appoint
ment as joint committee to consider
the contract between the Federal Gov
eminent and the State under which
Federal prisoners are kept in the Yves
Virginia Penitentiary and make re-
port upon the ACCESSIBILITY of cancel
ing the contract.
The Virginia debt question wa
again put to sleep by the adoption O.
resolution in the Senate reciting thai
West Virginia did not owe Virginia O.
any other State or Territory anything
A Movable Fort.
One of the latest inventions for ser
| vice in war times is called the war mo