The Williamson enterprise. [volume] (Williamson, W. Va.) 1907-1911, 1911-03-09


taxes during the month of February
aggregated almost as much as was
appropriated by the legislature for the
conduct of the tax department and the
uniform accounting system combined
for the year 1911. The amount for the
two was $26,0D0, a reduction of $4,000
ever the amount appropriated two
years ago.
The Entire Grist.
The West Virginia legislature passed
a total of Sc bills. As of which orig,
mated in the house and II in the sen.
ate. This is much greater number
than many persons realized. 1t Is true,
however, that few are of general ma
ture except those seeking to correct a
number of existing laws and related
more especially to the lawyers than to
the laymen.
Labor Not Satisfied.
The State Federation of Labor was
wholly dissatisfied with the action of
the Legislature on two important L. or
measures. The federation advocated
the placing of guards, maintained by
the railroads and mine operators in
the coal fields, under heavy bonds on
which the special officers would be
liable for injuries. Another bill favor
ed by the federation was the employ
ers' liability act, and both of these
measures failed of passage.
Income From Elkins Estate.
One of the most important questions
with which Tax Commissioners Blue
will be confronted during his
term is the collection of the inher-
itance tax from the estate of Senator
Elkins. Under the present collateral
Inheritance laws it is claimed that the
Elkins estate will pay more than $780,
900 into the state treasury.
Gov. Glasscock was not allowed an
opportunity to veto any items in the
general appropriation bin. In fact,
both houses had adjourned before the
bill was presented to the executive.
The governor has five days arrer the
legislature dajourns to act upon ordl.
nary bills, but with the appropriation
bill III is different Two years ago
Gov. Dawson used red ink profusely
and because he was day late in filing
some vetoed bills with the secretary Of
state the matter got into the supreme
court, which was also asked to pass
upon the veto of items in appropriation
bill. The court held the appropriation
=. hiJlC in
that the governor must return the bill
with his reasons for vetoing items to
the house in which the bill originated,
and that he had no power to veto
items after the session adjourned.
When State Senator Salmons moved
a reconsideration OF the action
by which the senate passed house
bill amending the charter of Point
Pleasant, a sensation was created aft
err the bill had been found to have
been signed by Gov. Glasscock and
filed with the secretary OF state. A
question had arisen as to whether or
not the bill has gone too far to be re.
called and acted upon again.
On a motion to reconsider the bill
was asked on recall from the house.
The lower body had already acted on
it and Speaker Wetzel sent to the gov
ernor's Office asking for it's RETURN,
but was advised that the enrolled
measure had been signed and filed
and the engrossment returned.
Under senate rules any vote may
be reconsidered Within two days: the
constitution says when the executive
signs a bill it becomes law.
Just few minutes before the legls-
latarre adjourned the child labor bill
was passed and was signed by the gov
ernor. This bill was recommended BY
State Labor Commissioner /. Y. Bar.
ton. 1t provides that children under
the age of Ia must not be employed
in factories or other Industries and
fixes a penalty for same. 1t was large
ly through the efforts of Mr.. Barton
and the West Virginia Humane soeie-
ty of this state that the bill was
passed. 1t provides that children I'M
der this age can do certain Work after
school hours, but makes employment
of children during school hours unlaw-
full.
In the United States senate Senator
Scott call UP and had passed the bill
fixing the time for the holding of the
district and circuit courts in the north
ern district of West Virginia. The
measure had already passed the house.
Accompanying Gov. W. E. Glasscock
on his trip to Atlanta, Ga, to attend
the convention of tue southern conf
mercial congress, which convenes ON
March 8, and 10, will be Secretary
Roy s. Mayor, of the board OF trade.
Mr.. Naylor is secretary OF the West
Virginia delegation and Gov. Glass
cock is chairman.
When the McMechen dam is COM
pleted the canoe club expects to have
great times. Many craft have been
purchased in anticipation OF the
event.
Gov. Glasscock needs rest. While
the legislature just closed did not dc
much in the way Of lawmaking, the
o,ovarnor did his best to keep imDor-