The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1904-08-12

E'lCIAl
SSI0V
OVER
NOON TO-DAY
SHE DIE LAST NIGHTS
WORK uNEVEMTFuI.
afARIoN coUNTY's REPRESENTA-
TINES AT THE STATE CAPi-
4 ALS7 ARE DESERVEDLY
POPULAR.
Especial to West virginian.)
BY Hon. NJ. p. Shawkey.

CHARLESTON.S Aug. 12.-The spe
1SEfal l.session struck a lively gait yes
anticipation of the close
and adjourned sine die at noon to-day
To-day's session was uneventful
Outside Edgington's farewell speech
81 the time was consumed in routine
feeble effort; was made in the House
40 preventive passage of the Reform
School bill but the members had eth.
far made up their minds to pass it or
were too much engrossed with their
preparation for getting home to take
any interest in it.
The bill passed with only: II votes
against it.
The majority Of the members of
both houses got away on the noon
trains, and the halls are now prac-
1IcaI1y deserted.
Special Session Side Lights.
The history Of the special session
stof 1904 will soon be made. 1t is
doubtful if the Importance of the
saWork%undertaken by the special ses-
sion has been fully realized. To fair
meet the demands of a State OF
such varied resources as are found
from Jefferson county to Mcdowell, is
"a herculean task and requires the
highest order Of Judgment, honesty
and nd8statesmanship, but the issue has
been fairly met and ably handled.
While the work accomplished is in
the nature of a com promise, yet like
that great com promise, the Consti-
tuition Of the United States, it is a
better work than it would have been
butEfOr$ the wise conservatism of the
Gompromise. The one serious mis-
take of the session was that of the
Democrats in killing the. submission
sDf the Constitutional amendment to
,dos away with State taxes. The sin
upon their own heads and already
beginning to suffer for it.
twill be Banquo's ghost to haunt
them in their campaign and many a
sgpod Democrat will take the opportu-
nlty to rebuke some of the hot-headed
leaders who are responsible for it.
$8ss The Democratic cant about the ex-
:pense of special session has been
pretty efectually squelched by re
-minding3 them of the one in 1890 that
spent thirty thousand dollars to ex-
plain that twea spelled twenty, as
the statesman from Jackson county
puts it, but the argument is complete !
iy annihiated by the figures which |
that the special session. by two |
bills which it has passed, saves to |
the State every year twice what the
extra session cost. Then when it is
remembered that a long stride has
been made in reforming our antiquat-
ed@tax system and in equalizing taxa
ton the State as required by our
Constitution, the comparatively tri-
ftnS82e expense is not worth a second
mention. In contrast to former special
sessions held under Democratic ad-
the present session has
been conducted on the most economic
and conservative lines. Not an extra
page Or clerk has been allowed, and
all extras of whatever nature have
been cut out.
The Republicans will go back to
their homes with the feeling that a
greatimprovement has been made in
fheS3tax system of the State. While
ascomplete revision OF the whole sys-
tenn is too big; for a session of three
weeks yet no vicious legislation has
beenaenacted and work has been done
which Will be fruitful in good results.
As to campaign material, the Dem
ocrats VIII go home with empty
baskets.
sEhe representation of Marion in
this Legislature is one in which the
county may feel a justifable pride.
Delegates A1cNeely, Stanley and Fur
bee hay have been faithful and earnest
annd@as annd sound as Gibraltar. They are
also agreeable gentlemen and deserv-
ad1y popular in Charleston, and with
their fellow members. /
% : Harry Shaw was we'll known here, j
and had "a equation as an eflcient /
and careful Off cial but if he had not Is
hati atiSs,Ich "a eputation before he II
;ouIsd ouIlsd justly claim it now; His fair
ness and wi llingnessS to accommodate
avery one have mgr tiated him into Il
he GOOD sgraces Of he members and Il