Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1907-01-26
TAX BILLS RECOMM|TTED
Set Back for Administration in
the Legislature.
JAMESTOWN APPROPRIATION
Governors Message on State Schools
and Superintendent MIller's
Report.

and Superintendent Miller's
Report.
Charleston, Jan. 24.--In the house
Wednesday the administration forces
had hard time to keep from defeat
the first of its measures that has been
up for action, II was the bill TO limit
county levies TO 80 cents on the 500.
II was adversely reported by the judi
Iciary committee and rejected by the
house, but this action was reconsid-
cred after a long debate and the meas
ure recommitted. Its fate now seems
doubtful. The bill to permit counties
to issue bonds TO refund their indebt-
edness was adversely reported but
was reeommitted.
McCrum's bin. TO prohibit railroad
telegraph operators. and telephone OPP
orators from being employed more
than eight hours In any twenty-four
hours. precipitated warm debate.
Roach finally moved TO amend so that
it would prevent employees of any kind
from working more than eight hours a
day II was pending when adjourn.
ment was taken.
The senate amended the jamestown
Exposition bill. so that $4,000 is the
limit OF the expenditure for either coal
or agricultural exhibits, and then or
dered ii to third reading.
Senator Johnson's pistol bin was
passed. II requires that jail sen
tence be given everyone found carry
ing concealed weapons and makes the
second offense felony.
At the request of Circuit Judge Ben
nett, Senator Johnson, of Fayette, In
troduced a bill for new libel law
that is more rigid than the Pennsyl
vania statute that made Gov. Penny
packer famous II makes libel and
Islander punishable by fine and. in the
discretion of he court, with impris.
onment.
Message on State Schools.
To the Honorable Members OF the
Senate and the House OF Delegates:
herewith submit to you the report
of the commission to suggest revis-
ion of the school law. and copy OF
the bill drawn by the commission for
that purpose.
The following letter addressed bs
me to each member Of the commission
states the reasons for the appoint
ment:
July 20. 1906.
"My Dear Sir:-For some time [
have had in mind and under discussion
with the Hon Thos. G. Miller, the
state superintendent Of free schools,
the appointment of a commission to
revise the laws Of this state pertain
ing to ducation--chapter As OF the
code and other statutes ! hereby ap-
point you a member of the commission
The creating OF the commission and
your appointment as member thereof
have Mr. Miller's hearty approval lie
himself will be chairman OF the com
mission.
1T is declared that the commission
meet as early as practicable. upon the
call Of Mr. Miller. and discuss the
work and apportion II out among them
selves. The commission could then
take recess and come together again,
and as a whole go over the work.
"The very undesirable state in which
are our laws concerning education
makes it unnecessary for me TO speak
of the urgent necessity of careful
and thorough revision of them. These
laws have long ne ded systematic oy-
erhauling. This has not been had ow-
ing 10 the shortness of the biennial
sessions of our legislature, and multi
tude OF other matters that always
press for consideration. Hence the
prudence-if not necessity-of care
full review of the whole field by body
of competent and practical men, who
will bring to the subject the expert
knowledge 1t needs and gives to the
consideration Of the subject the time
required
ut is dsired that. when their work
IL Gnichad tho cnnuiseion present
the result Of their labors In bill form,
and accompany that with report ex-
planning the reasons for the views
adopted by them; and that the bill and
report be gotten ready so that they
can be printed and sent to the legis-
lature. say, six weeks before the next
session begins. This would enable the
members OF the legislature and also
the people generally. to consider the
matter pretty fully before the legisla-