The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1907-02-15
humane laws
TOBE REVISED
If Mr.. Coleman of the Society Made
the Impression He Desired
To Make.
(By Stan Correspondent. J

SAAA1NA<GkSAN 4Ns W. Ndtf r6u. ~
One of the interesting features OF
committee work was the discussion
by Mr.. E. L. Coleman, an attorney
of Parkersburg. Of bill prepared by
him, revising the humane laws
throughout.
1t provides for the appointment Of
member of the board from the
Fifth congressional district, thereby
increasing the board to five mem
bers. His reason for the fifth mem
Der is that the territory for each
member will thereby be decreased.
and the members thereby brought
into closer touch with the agents.
1t provides that the board may sue
and be sued, contract and be con-
tracted with, take. hold and own
real and personal estate for the use
of the society. etc.
Also that a member of the board
shall have concurrent authority with
the board to discharge the agent
in his district. BY this provision the
necessity of calling a meeting of the
board to discharge an unworthy
agent is obviated.
It is also provided that no men,
Der shall hold any office in the society
while acting as a member of the
board. except that of secretary and
treasurer, the object being that
while acting as a member of the
board he should not be placed in a
position where he cannot freely in
quire into and critieise every other
office.
1t is thought that the duties to
be performed by the secretary and
treasurer being simple and fixed,
these offices should be filled by two
members of the board, which will
also avoid outside hire.
Mr.. Coleman explained that prior
to the appointment of any of the
present board members a former
board had passed a resolution allow
ing the secretary and treasurer 5000
each per year as salaries, and $500
per year to the president of the
board, as the presidents expense
fund" but which he stated to the
committee could be taken in not
other sense than as salary. which
he said was probably in conflict with
the law, as the law as 1t now is al
lows no compensation to the mem
bers of the board.
He proposes straight salary to
each member Of $50 per year. which
is also to cover expenses.
1t also provides that proceedings
to forcibly take children from insult
able homes shall be had before jus
tees of the peace. instead of the cir
cult court, in order that the law on
this point may correspond with the
law which, requires the proceedings
to commit children to the reform
school and to the Industrial home
shall be before justices.
The society always is compelled
to pay the costs OF such suits, as
the parties proceeded against are al
ways execution proof. Suits gefore
justices are far less costly than be
fore the circuit court.
These are some of the items Of
economy which the bill proposes. He
has also provided that all records,
vouchers, reports Of agents, etc.,
shall be subject to the examination
of the state auditor, in order to more
thoroughly safeguard the public
funds. There are several other
amendments provided in his bill, but
the foregoing are the most impot-
tant.
Mr.. Coleman also appeared before
the finance committee and it could be
plainly inferred from what he said
that the society needed no increase
in its appropriation.