The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1909-01-23
tny CI,arles BROOKS smltll.l

CHARLESTON. Jan. 2S-Over a
hundred bills introduced in both
houses Of the legislature this week
testifies to the initial Industry OF the
lawmakers: they are on the job and
they want the folks back home 10
know it. There is, for the most part,
among these numerous proposals to
augment the already huiging morocco
sides OF the code. host OF compo-
sitions calculated to promote further
the great uplift, from which we may
reasonably infer that the ranks of
hot and ardent reformers have not
suffered material decrease since the
first pile Of muck felt the teethof the
rake. From the size of bed-sheets IN
boarding houses to the designation OF
the water wagon as common car
rier, we are here to tell YOU. folks,
that for highly uplifting uplifts, nov
81 diversion and refreshing amuse-
ment the West VfrgffIn legislature
has taken no backward step. 1t is
Onward Christian soldiers" for them.
But, from the mass OF bills through
which committees day and night of
this week have been wading. there IS
issuing forth, and will continue 70 is-
sue forth. number OF really solid
measures, freighted with honest pur-
pose and ability which will challenge
the serious thought and conscientious
action of the legislators. They consti-
tute the wheat from the legislative
grtst mill separated from the chaGi
of frivolous things which will re-
main hidden out of sight in the hooks
and crannics of committee rooms.
Taxation, license charges, prohibition,
local option and model license, pri-
mary election law; public service cor
poratlon commission; production tax
on coal oil, gas. and. something new,
lamp black; laws governing levying
bodies special charters for incorpo-
rated towns and cities; establishment
of sanitarium for treatment and
cure of tuberculosis Statistics show
disease rapidly increasing In West
Virginia.; mining Legislation, board
of control to have drcct and absolute
management of the states twenty
three institutions; preservation of the
states natural resources-these are
the most important matters that will
engage the thought and attention of
the present forty-hvc days regular
session. They alone would be suffic-
lent to keep the lawmakers as busy
as bees in a hive without Diling in a
car load or two OF idle suggestions
aiming at the regulation of the solar
system, the changing os Grounding
day, or something about as trivial and
fluffy as that.
The legislature may truthfuly be
said to be organized completely now,
and running smoothly. The election
of presiding officers. the appoint
ment of committees and attaches,
were the first acts oe organization,
then the introduction Of bills and res
olutions and their reference to COM
mittecs. and then the work o: COM
mittees. which is the important work
TO get what is really worth while
properly before the members. TO
give these committees chance 70
perform their duties, brief half day
sessions have been the prevailing
rule. and afternoon and night work
has been the lot of the members on
committees. This is working legis-
!ature: there is littir frivollty and
gayety about 1t thus far. which is in
striking contrast to the legislatures OF
former years; It Is work. work hard
and serious purpose to perform la.
bors upon which the public viii
place the indellible STAN Of It's cordia
approval. The personal appearance
of the legislators as whole Is II
pleasing contrast to former, ones, too
1t is a better-dressed. more up-to-the,
minute in looks and actions. anc
young men and smooth shaven face!
are away in the majority. The solid
honest. brave old man from tn,