Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1909-02-19
Charleston News


the prohibition amendment two wears
ago costing sii0,0o0,0o. The matter
was at first laid on Alvord by the en-.
emies Of the prohibition amendment
who thought they might obscure The
real issue by agitating Alyord instead
Of the amendment. The proceed ngs
OF the c0mnittee have been secret out
Il seems that they have mad hold Of
George Byrne who Gays he knows
things aud knows who told him and
the senate ordercd George 70 tell or go
% jail Such stuff does not scare Byrne
a committee WAS appointed some
time back 10 investigate the proposed
h offer of former vice President Morton
TO give the state the Red Sulphur
Springs Tor tuberculosis SAINT arium.
! The committee reported adversely on
the proposition but now the senate
has decided to accept the offer and to
establish the hospital at that place.
The house finance committee after
stormy session reported adversely on
the bills taxing the reduction of coal,
oil and gas but offered a substitute
measure which taxes coal one fourth
OF one cent per ton; oil one cent bar
rel and gas one mill per thoussad
The committees vote stood eight TO
/ five In favor of the substitution.
Three members, all rspublica ms gave
notice that they weuld fight the meas
ure on the floor.
The House passed measna crert-
ing board Of thr &c to control all state
institutions, also the "pistol toting''
/ bill which had been amended to ex-
elude certain officers. The public SER
vice corporation measure was advanc-
ed to the second reading.
The "pistol totlng'oill which make >
il felony to carry revolver
I unless the owner has license from
the judge OF the Circuit court and pays
fee for the same, has passed the houte
and will likely become a law.
/ The House has also passed the bi II
abolishing the present boards Of re-
gents director. etc, and providin 4 for
a board Of three to have charge Of all
state institutions This seems to b { a
very popular measure and nearly all
the members voted for 1t.
Chief Of the Mines depa rtment IL =
new sinecure proposed for some Of the
faithful at the salary OF 81, 900 year
In a voluminous report submstted
to the Legislature by the legis-
fativs investigating committee APP
pointed at the regular session OF 1907,
Of which K. w. Mckown Is chair
man, fault Is found with the original
construction Of most Of the State insti-
tutions, OF the loose system OF account
ing in vogue, Of the waste In the pur-
chase of supplies for many Of them
and of insanitary and unhealthy con-
ditions prevailing IN many Of the in
stitutions. In reviewing ITS inspection
oftne Weston Insane Asylum the COM
mittee says that the beds Of that in
stitution are in an insanitary condi-
| ton. The environments at the ROM
ney School for the Deaf and Blind a re
not what they should be and the COM
mittee re .ommends change there,
reminding the Legislature that the
inmates of that institution are tn .
wards Of the state, and that AZ sue h
too many safeguards cannot be throw n
about them.
Despitethe resolution adopted by the
Senate commanding him to appear be-
fore the Alvord investigates com nit
tee and divulgs the names Of certain
men from whom ne obtainek inform a.
ton. George Byrne, a newspaper man
and politician, still refuses to answer
thee questions, and will probably be
required to appear before the bar Of the
senate.
The administration absolute ICON
troll Of the House Of Delegates. was
demonstrated, when the House
adopted rules more drastic than thos e
prevailing in the national House or
Representatives; empowering the com
committee on rules to take entire
charge of the eaIaRdar in order to faclI-
itate the passage Of certain admin is
tration measures.
| The Hatfield high license bill was
passed by the House. Five Senate bills
relating to appeals were adopted by
the House.