Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1911-05-26
Giikeson Resolution.

6ilkes0n Resolution.
Following Is the full text of the Gill
keson resolution providing for the ref
erence of the primary election question
to a com mission:
Whereas, many Of our people are OPP
posed TO the enactment Of such law
in our state, because of the great ex-
pense Of such elections, without ade-
quate results, and many are doubtful
as TO the propriety Of it, while many
are in favor of it; but those who favor
it desire the best possible law on the
subject and, with 1t, such modiflca-
tions of our general election law aud
and ballot law as that our whole
scheme and system of election machib-
cry will be such as will properly safe
guard the ballot and accomplish, and
as far as IL possible by legislation, that
honesty aad purity Ia orr elections 80
much desired by all good citizens, and,
Whereas, several of the states have
enacted primary election laws, and
tested their efficiency, which laws diff
fer very materially in their pro visions,
and,
l is desi able that the provisions of
these laws and the results obtained
frora them be inquired into, in order
that we may profit by the experience
nfn lot ,,d iui 10 ag
of some of them, and,
Whereas, it would be unsatisfactory
and unwise for this Legislature, at this
time, to undertake such an investiga.
tion at great expense to the state, or to
attempt such legislation without such
investigation.
Therefore that joint committee Of
five members Of the Legislature, con
sisting of two members or the Senate,
to be appointed by Independent of the
Senate, one of whom shall be repub-
lican snd one democrat, and three
members of the House of Delegates to
oe appointed by the Speaker of the
House, two of them shall be demo
Gratis and one a republican, be appoint
ed, whose duty it shall be Ito examine
primary election laws of other states
and to inquire into the operation and
effectiveness of such Jaws, and results
obtained from them, and to examine
and consider all the laws of this state
affecting the integrity of elections, the
state registration law, and corrupt
practices act and general election law
and ballot law, aud report to the next
regular session of the Legislator re, by
bill or otherwise, the result of their in
designations, and said committee is au-
thorized to sit during the recess Of the
| Legislature.
Said Joint committee she'll be allow
ed per diem Of four dollars per day
each for the time actually employed in
the matters herein committed to them,
and actual expenses paid in travelling
to and from the place Of their sittings.
The first meeting of said committee
shall be at time and place to be des-
iguated by the clerk of the House who
shall notify each member by mail; and
then the committee shall fix the times
and places for subsequent meetings,
and the chairman shall give each
member reasonable notice by mail of
each meeting. A majority Of the com
mittee shall constitute quorum.
Resolved, further, that until the
coming in of said report of said com
mittee no further legislation upon
the subject of the Governors call
shall be entered upon, except an
appropriation bill to pay the mileage
and per diem of the members and the
per diem of the attaches of both
houses.