Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1903-02-04
TWO CENTS
LEGISLATIVE GOSSIP I.
Some of the Things Which are
Happening at Charleston.


Railroad Passes Matter of Agita-
tion Postmaster Hall Called Down
Normal Regents to Meet at
Charleston Some Labor Bills Mark
ed for Slaughter.
The following gossip about mat
tiers at Charleston will be of inter
est:
Deegate Merton tomorrow will
submit a bill to prohibit the State
Board of Public Works from accept
ing railroad passes. The members
of this boarl are the Governor,
Auditor, Treasurer, Superintendent
OF Schools and Attorney General.
The board assesses the railroads.
Despite the marvellous railroad de-
velopmcnt the assessment il prac-
tically the same as ten years a go.
The House to-day voted to pro-
hibit pass giving to Supreme and
Circuit Court Judges because they
are allowed mileage at the rate Of
10 cents mile in the new salary
bill, but an amendment to stop mem
bers OF the Legislature from accept
ing the fayors was not received
kindly and was voted down.
Another test of sentiment on the
tax bills will be made in the House
tomorrow.
The opposition to the formation of
Augusta county claims today to
have received word from Washing
ton that Postmaster James K. Hall
oil Wheeling, and Marshal G. d.
Elliott of Parkersburg, have been
forced out Of the lobby. Much op-
position TO Mr.. Hall was raised be-
cause OF his alleged activity IN the
Augusta county fight and complaints
were forwarded to Washington by
the Augusta people. Mr. Hall went
to Washington last Friday and it
was asserted that he was summoned
there by the postal authorities and
that something would drop before
the episode was closed.
There is some speculation as to
whether the efforts TO abolish free
railroad passes for State officials
will prove effective The bill deal
ing with the salaries of State Off
Gals contains an amendment pro
hiblting the officials from taking
passes or transportation from the
railroads, but it is feared by some
lawmakers that mileage books or
some other form of evasion may be
arrived at. The advocates of the
amendment argue that, while pI esent
salaries are too low, with an increase
the officers should be able to pay
their own railroad fares out of con-
tingent expenses or out of their own
pockets. They say the fact that
Judges sit on the Supreme bench
with railroad passes in their pockets
must necessarily inspire the sus
picion that railroads are to be favor
ed in litigation affecting them.
The Board of Regents of the State
Noamal Schools will meet in Cnarle.
ton next Thursday and on the pre-
ceding day there will also be meet
ing of the several school principals
Clark w May. President Of the
Senate, and Senator Ira +. Robin
son are two of the Regents. Senator
Harvey W. Harmer is an ex Regent.
The influence OF these gentlemen,
besides that OF others in the Senate
in touch with educational affairs,
ensures the retention of all the nor
NAL schools should some members
desire to act in accord with Govern
or Whites suggestions. Principal
w. L. MCGOWAN of West Liberty,
after looking over the ground here
for several days, has dismissed his
fears.
The fear is felt in concerned cir
Giles that among the many bills that
will be smothered there will be the
State arbitration, eight-hour day
and fellow servants law, three pure
ly labor bills. The State arbitra-
ton bill is said by labor people to
be most conservative measure and
was desired by many manufacturers.
Such law is on the Statute Books
of % States. Twenty nine States
nave the fellow servants law. The
eight hour bill fixed eight hours as
legal days work, but allowed prl-
vate contract or arrangement to fix
the hours otherwise. But the con-
bined railroad and coal interests, by
means of their powerful lobby and
affiliations, it is said, will be able to
squelch the measures in the Senate.
If this be true the tire-escape law
will be the only labor bill TO go
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