Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1907-01-19
SENATORS BYDIRECT VOTE.
Resolution to Change Method Of
EIecting u. S. Senators
COMMITTEES ON MONDAY
Outline Of Legislation That the GOV
ernor Expects TO Have En-.
acted

Charleston, Vs. Va, jan t2-Both
branches OF the legislature have ad.
iourued until Monday. President Nc.
Dermott of the senate and Speaker
seamon OF the house will announce
their committees Monday, It has also
been decided to hold a joint senatorial
caucus Monday evening.
Mr. Williams, of the house, offered
the following which went over one day
under the rules:
House Joint Resolution No. RE
latng TO the amendment Of the fed
eral constitution so as to provide for
the election of United States senators
by the direct vote Of the people
Whereas, a large number of state
legislatures at various times have
adopted memorials and resolutions in
favor of the election Of United States
senators by popular vote; and
Whereas, the house of representa-.
tives of congress on several occasions
within recent years has adopted reso,
buttons in favor of this proposed
change in the method of electing Unit
ed States senators, which were not
adopted; and
Whereas, Article of the constitu-
ton of the United States provides
that the congress ON the application
of the Legislature of two-thirds Of the
states, shall call a convention for pro
posing amendments, and believing
that there is a general desire upon
the part of the citizens of West Vir,
ginia that United States senators be
elected by direct vote OF the people.
Resolved by the Legislature of West
Virginia that the legislature of West
Virginia favors the adoption of an
amendment to the constitution of the
United States for the election of sen.
ators by direct vote of the people and
joins with other states in requesting
that convention be called for the
purpose of proposing an amendment
to the constitution OF the United
States as provided for in article of
said constitution which amendment
shall provide for a change In the pres
ent method of electlng United States
senators SO that they can be chosen
in each state by direct vote of the
people.
Resolved further, that copy of this
joint resolution and application to con-
gress for the calling of convention,
be sent to the secretary OF state Of
each Of the United States, and that a
similar copy be sent to the president
Of the United States and to the speak
er OF the house of representatives. of
congress,
Mr.. smith, Of Cabell, offered the
following, which went over one day
under the rule:
Joint Resolution No. ?. Prescribing
the manner in which bills for amend
ed city charters shall be abbreviated.
Whereas, much of the time OF the
legislature in the past has been con,
sumed in the reading Of bills intro
duced to amend city charters, the
bill being made to embrace the whole
of the charter, while only few or
slight amendments were being made;
and
Whereas, for the foregoing reason,
it is desirable to avoid the time Of
this legislature being so consumed;
therefore be it
Resolved by the legislature Of West
Virginia That at this session of the
legislature all bills introduced to
amend municipal charters must be alb
breviated and made to embrace only |
the section or sections 90 be amended !
added or repealed. as the case may
be- but stating in the title fully the
purpose aud the thing 10 be done.
Mr. Smith. Of Cabell, offered House
Joint Resolution No. 3, authorizing |
the governor OF West Virginia 20 APP
point a commission to draft meas
ure or measures providing general
and uniform system of incorporation
Of cities, towns and villages Of West
Virginia and complete municipal
code for the same to be submitted
to the next session OF the legislatureI
of this state.
In the Senate.
Senator Fisher offered resolution (
providing that the president make ap |
pointments to the following positions
Twelve committee clerks
Ten pages.
Private secretary and stenographer
to the president.
One assistant sergeantat-ams.
One assistant doorkeeper
One Librarian.
One gallery doorkeeper
Two night watchmen
Tuo cIoak ra0fn kaouare