Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1908-03-06
To ,,.e people OF west virginia


Sec. / The Governor Of the State of
West Virginia convened the Legisla-
ture in extra session on the ,,2Sth day
of January, 1908, and one Of the most
important subjects mentioned in his
proclamation is what is generally
known as the Virginia debt question
The Legislature was in session until
the 10Th day of February without any
steps having been taken concerning
the Virginia Debt question, as men.
toned in the call, and on that day,
immediately after the noon recess in
each house, the president and speaker
announced to the members of the re-
spectIve bodies that they would meet
IN joint secret session Immediately af-
ter the dinner hour in the hall of the
house Of Delegates. At the hour speci-
fed the two bodies did meet in Joint
session. Governor Dawson, Attorney
General May, and Messrs. MoIIohan,
McClintic q Matthews, of counsel for
West Virginia in the pending suit of
the State of Virginia vs.. West Vir-
glnia, were present. AS the members
assent led, the Attorney General hand
ed each typewriter copy Of reso-
luton, providing for so-called nom
partisan commission concerning the
Virginia debt. The joint session was
called to order by the Speaker of the
House, at whose request the President
of the Senate presided over the body.
The resolution SO handed to each
mem Der is in the words and figures
following.
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION mob.
"Raisiag committee to consult
with the Board OF Public Works con-
corning the Virginia debt.
Whereas, the defense OF this State
the equity suit Of the Common
wealth Of Virginia vs.. West Virginia,
is no8 vested in the Attorney-Ge
and the Board of Public Works of the
State, and,
! Whereas, said Acknowledgement and
| Board have expressed a wish that a
partisan committee of citizens and
property holders be appointed With
whom they can advise and take coun-
sci as to the matters involved In said
suit; therefore, belt
| Resolved, That J.W Mason and Viii
liam G.. Bennett, of the First Congress
sional District Frank III. Reynolds
and John j. Cornwell, of the Second
Congressional District; William A
MacColkle and Samuel Dixon, of the
Third Congressional District; e. III.
Gilkeson and George w. Curtin, of the
| Fourth Congressional District; G. w.
Campbell and Isaac I. Mani of the
Fifth Cong ressional District, and Ma.
than Golf, Johnson y. Camden, John
K Thompson and f. Is. Enslow at
large, be and they are hereby appoint
ed such committee; and it shall be
their duty to advise with the Board of
Public Works of the State, and make
such recommendation as they NAV
deem best to protect the interest and
welfare of the people of the State IN
| said matters.
The members of said j committee
shall take the oath provided by the
constitution, which shall be filed with
{ the Governor. 1t shall convene on the
call of the Governor, and shall make
| report to the Legislature from time to
time Of its proceedings. Vacancies in
said committee by death, resignation,
failure or refusal to serve or otherwise
shall be fiji lied by the Beard Of Public
| w orks."
| h Sec. 2. After some time spent in
JOINT session, theaproceedings of which
we do notsdesire to state, owing TO the
fact that secrecy was enjoir ed, although
we do not recognize either law or pre-
cedent for a joint executive Session,
the same was dissolved. Immediately
upon the disso, ution ,of the secret SEES
sion each house reconvened in regular
session, and the pending business was
temporarily laid aside and the forego-
ing resolution was introduced in each
body by Republican member In the
senate the rules were suspended over
Democratic opposition, and the reso-
luton twas taken up for Immediate
consideration and adopted, all the
Democrats present, and two Repub-
lieans, voting against it. In the house
the same attempt was made by the
Republican members but the Demo.
cratic minority, with the assistance OF
four Republicans, were able to prevent
a suspension Of the rules, and the reso-
luton went over until the following
day, VIXEN it came up in its order, and
the senate resolution having been re-