Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1908-01-30
SEEKING To
AMEND THE
CONSTITUTION
BILL THAT IL CAUSING GREAT
EST INTEREST. IL THAT PRE-
SCENTED BY THE ANTI-sALooN
LEAGUE, SUBMITTING TO A
VOTE OF THE PEOPLE wHETH
FIR wHISKEY SHALL BE SOLD
IN THE STATE.


solons have gotten down TO the
grind again in the second special
session during the biennial period.
How long they will be in session is
a matter OF conjecture. No one is
in a position to tell. What will be
done in the caucus is also con-
lecture. An effort will be made,
however, to have the Republicans
agree on the measures supported by
the governor and mentioned i'm his
call. and If ii is agreed in caucus TO
support these measures as party
the time of the session will be
greatly reduced. Mining legislation,
however, will consume a great deal
OF time and will cause great deal
OF discussion. The mining commit
tee have held many sessions but it is
not yet announced what kind OF a
bill they will OFFER or suggest. Many
of the leading operators have been
here almost continuously for some
time past, and they are not a unit
as to the best kind of law, especial
ly is this true among the owners OF
gaseous and non-gaseous mines. The
latter hold the conditions that are
almost absolutely necessary in the
former for the protection of life and
property is not necessary in the lat
ter. and that a law to meet the for
mer and required by it would be dis
astrous to the latter interests in the
expense of mining
Resolutions seeking amendments
to the constitution have been Of
fered. The one that is causing the
greatest interest is that presented BY
the Antt-Saloon League Of submit
ting to the vote of the people Of the
state whether liquor should be man
ufactured or bsold in the state. It
is already conceded tt,2t the resolu-
ton will pass the house and there
is every reason to believe at this
time, at least, that ii will pass the
senate. The resolutions provided
that in the event two-thirds OF the
eral election vote in favor of 1t, the
law shall take effect in 1909 1t is
understood. however, that some of
those who will vote for the resolu-
ton do not believe that 1t will carry
before the people, but hold that the
people should have the right to say
what they want The fact that it
will require two-thirds of all the
votes cast in order that it carry
gives hope to those opposed to ahol-
ishing the saloons ~ the state.
Senator Miller, who was chair
man of the finance committee in the
last session is reported to be dan
gerously iii at his home and is not
expected to be present at this ses-
sion
Senator Post, the new Democratic
member who was elected to fill tie
vacancy caused by the death of Sen
ator Talbot, was the first senator to
get a bill beyond its first reading. 1t
was a bill creating an Independent,
school district in his county. He is
also the only Democrat who is chair
man Of a committee in the senate.
taking the place OF Senator Talbot
in that respect The committee.
however, is not likely to have any
work at this special session. The
absence OF Senator Miller and the
filling of Talbot's seat made It neces-
sary to change the personnel Of many
OF the committees
Neither OF the Republican candi-
dates for gubernatorial honors have
made their appearance in the sem
ate chamber. and the rivalry that
prevails over the state is entirely
absent thus far I'm tha upper house.
The contest between the two clerks
is noticeable at times and each will
be expected to play some effective
politics before the session is over as
to who shan be the nominee of the
Republicans for secretary of state.
The committee ON investigating
the state institutions appointed at
the last session have made a report
through their chairman, Senator Nc
Gown on one institution which the
report holds is in eminent need of
assistance. The committee has not
yet visited al the institutions and
will not have a complete report un-
TN the next regular session They
are going over everything thorough
ly at each of the institutions and
when they have completed their task
will recommend n uniform system of
accounting by which it is hoped to
reduce much labor at many of the
Institutions and concentrate the
work under one head. so that by 70
the exact conditions may be available
at all times with very little trouble.
The senate has reduced On, num-
Der Of attaches to one-half of tho
number employed last year and I'm
most instances retained the former
ones, leaving many. however. who
had come here expecting to get
places outside the fold An effort
will no roodo IN korp tbo ft.t 90 ~