davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1912-12-28
HOTEL BILL

Mr.. cloyd M. Crane. delegate.eloct,
from Preston county. IL now working
on u model hotel bill. The object OF
this bin Is to have the Governor OF
the State appoint a hotel commission
whose duty 1t will be TO inspect ell
hotels of the State ns to sanitary con
ditions, fire escapes. and In a general
way improve the hotel service of our
State. A bill of this kind has been
agitated In quite o number OF legisla-
tive bodies In years rome by. but moth
ing OF this kind has ever become q
law In this State. Mr.. Crane IL Il
travelling a and of course. knows
the ms and outs OF the West Virgin
la hotels. and fully realizes that they
a be improved. This bin should
interest the travelling public. A sim:
liar law exists in some states at this
time.
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1912-12-28
RAILROADS FEEL
EFFECTS OF RUSH
Christmas Rush Greatest Ever Known
All Trains Internationally
Holiday.

The railroads are feeling the effects
of the Christmas business greater this
year than in any previous one. and 10
such al extent has It reached that Il
Is impossible to get the trains over
the road on anything like schedule
time.
The passenger trains are experience.
ing great difficulty. Owing to the
great number of freights being run,
the passenger trains are unable TO
make the required time, because in
many instances they are caught be-
hind them and delayed for several
minutes.
Then the express business has cut
quite a figure. All stations where ex.
pressage is received and discharged
the trains are usually held several
minutes, thus causing them not to be
able to reach the next station on time.
This condition, railroad men say. will
continue until after the first of the
year, when it is expected that there
will be some relief. Today all trains
on the b. C O. were delayed any
where from 80 minutes to one and one
half hours. causing the travelling pub
lie much inconvenience.
A number of the b. & o. employees
are having much difficulty this year
in securing their usual Christmas fur
loughs. The business is so heavy that
the company ,nds it utterly impos-
sible to relieve but a few men and
they are let go only for a short time.
After January first the work Is not
expected to be So heavy, and a general
relief will be felt all around.
Christmas will be treated as Sun.
day. orders having been received from
the general offices An Baltimore TO
that effect. All work that can pos
sibly be dispensed with Will be, but
all men are required TO report for du-
ty Thursday morning.
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1912-12-28
NEWSPApERMAN TO
RECEIVE REWARD
waiter s. Halianar, Who Repo-ted
Hatfield Meetings, win be Pr-
vate Secretary.

HUNTINGTON. Dec. 2a.--There Is
a story abroad to the effect that Wal.
ter Simms liallanan. local newspaper
man. who served as personal press
correspondent for DR.. Hatfield, the
go~vernorelect. IL to be made private
secretary 20 the governor when DR..
Hathold goes into Office, While DIR
Hatfield has never made this an.
nouncement publicly Il Is quietly I'M.
derstood that Il Is his intention 10 be-
atow this gubernatorial plum on the
young journalist from Barboursyille.
During the campaign Mr.. Hallanan's
work attracted much attention and II
was predicted before the election that
II HATFIELD we're successful he would
be made private secretary.
The private s~ecretaryship IL a plum
In real earnest. carrying with Il 4 sal.
airy Of four Thousand dollars per an.
nun besides political ana social pres.
tige IN n degree which can not but
prove pleasing to MIR. Hallanan and
his young and beautiful wife.
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1912-12-28

torneya with allowance for deputies
and clerical assistants. payable out Of
the county treasury. All feea for ser
vices rendered by such officers 60 be
paid into the county treasures.
Sixth. To pass an aet providing
for county repositories and requiring
all interest received on moneys depos-
tied by county ~treasurers TO be cred
tied to the general county fund
Seventh. To pass an act making
the fiscal year for state purposes he
gin July first and end June thirtieth.
Eighth. TO pass IN act creating a
Public Service Commission and pre-.
scribing its powers and duties.
Ninth. TO pass an act 10 aid in the
prevention and settlement OF strikes
and lockouts,
Tenth. To pass an act or acts APP
proprIating money to nay the compen.
sation and mileage Of the members.
and the compensation of the officers.
clerks and other attaches Of the Leg
islature and the other expenses OF
the Legislature for this extraordinary
session.
Given under my hand
and the Great Seal OF the
State, at the Capitol. In
the City OF Charleston.
TsEALl this sixteenth day OF De.
cember. A. u, 1912. and
In the hftieth year of the
State.
WIN. r. GIAsScocK
by the Governor:
STUART II. REED.
Secretary OF State.
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1912-12-28
sIckLEs PAYS INsrALLMENr

Albany. Dec. 24.--Attorney General
Carmody today turned over to State
Comptroller Sohmer a $4,000 certified
check As part payment for the $4,000
unaccounted Tor by General Daniel Il.
Sickles as chairman OF the New York
Monuments Commission. The check
was signed Mrs. Sickles.
Under an agreement made by The
Attorney Generals office and Stanton
Sickles. o OF General Sickies, the
balance of the money u~naccounted for
Is to be paid in two or three weeks.
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1912-12-28
MEETS WITH cad ACCIDENT

This morning the littlo SOU OF Mr..
and Mrs. Scwell Cunningham, West
John street. suffered the fracture or
his right leg. A buggy was coming
east on West King street, and n mum
Der OF boys following il. and
stealing rides. Tho lad stepped upon
the axle, and In trying to step on his
foot caught in the wheel. throwing
him violently 10 The street, and "a.
In the accident. He was taken
10 the .ity Hospital. where the frac.
ture vas reduced.
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1912-12-28
WEST VIRGINIA
HELPS DISTRICT
Last Year We Contributed s82,2s2
Toward the Expenses Of the Dis
trict of Columbia.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 23.-The PEG
year $S2,2S2 toward the expenses of
the District of Columbia and City of
Washington, according to Congress-
man Ben Johnson, of Kentucky, Chair
man on the House Committee on the
District of Columbia.
A series of Investigations have been
made by the committee of the Dis
trict of Columbia under the supervis-
Ion of Chairman Johnson into the fl
nancial relations of the various states
Columbia and the portion of the ex-
penses of the District borne by the
people of the different states. Through
federal channels the various states
pay each year more than six million
dollars toward the maintenance of the
government of the District OF Column
bia. Dividing this amount among the
states in proportion of their popula-
ton, Mr., Johnson has reached the con
clusion that West Virginia pays an
nually more than $4,000 to keep up
the City of Washington and the gov
eminent of the District of Columbia.
The amounts expended by West
Virginia for the different divisions of
the Washington city government is
given by Mr.. Johnson as follows: to
the maintenance of schools, $2l,206;
street ewers and water mains. $S,050;
police. Sc, 773; improvements and re
pairs, $15.333; salaries and health,
$5,515; interest and sinking fund. $6,-
473; street lighting. s3,0s6; fire de
partment, $4,4S0; charities and cor
r~ections. $9.265; miscellaneous, ST.
101: total-$S2,2 82.
This money Is not paid by the State
Of West Virginia to the government,
but Is collected from the people all
over the United States and assuming
that they are all taxed equally the
amounts given are properly chargeable
to West Virginia.
The people of West Virginia may
feel surprised that they pay each year
nearly $4,000 toward the maintenance
Of the fire department of the City OF
Washington or more than $4,000 10
keep up the Washington City schools
but thfs is what they are doing &C
cording TO a statement by the Chair
man of the Committee on the Dis
triet Of Columbia. Consequently
whenever a West Virginian comes to
Washington he has a right TO feel q
proprietary interest in the govern
ment buildings, the asphalt streets
and the automobile fire engines.
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1912-12-28

recorded Be- pages of delinquent prop
erty and tax sales; NAILED, approx.
mately 5000 letters, IN addition Il cir.
culars, notices, ETC.; annual financial
statement, covering s large pages in
county papers. The work | do for my
100000 salary IL alone worth 100000
a year. | furnish my own typewriting
machines in number-at a person
al cost Of $4,000. They are wide car
riage machines, made purposely for
recording deeds and other similar
writings. and come higher than the or
binary machine.
Surely the manifold and arduous du-
ties of a co4nty clerk, and the great
responsibilities that rest upon him
should be literally rewarded.
II YOU will permit me, | would like
to suggest for your most earnest cor
sideration this proposition
Allow the county clerk OF
Wetzel county a net sal
airy Of $3500.0 0
Deputy clerk ............ 1900 %
Recorder of deeds ......... 10000
Extra help during session of
county col ..<......... 10000
II being provided that in case no ex-
ira help would be absolutely neees-
sary, in the discretion Of the county
court, none should be allowed.
1t must be understood that the
county clerk of this county Is no mere
figure head" On the contrary, he is
the hardest worker in the bunch. and
spends many hours in the office when
he should be home in bed; and | don't
doubt this is the experience of many
other county clerks.
Sincerely hoping that you will kind.
" use your influence to the end that
each and every county officer affected
by the proposed measure shall receive
fair treatment. and | believe you will.
Very respectfully yours,
s. MYERS,
Clerk County Court.
Assessed valuation of taxable prop
erty in Wetzel county over $4,000
10000; population. $4,000; area, 365
square miles.
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1912-12-28
The Extraordinary Session Is
Called For January 2.
VINE MATTERS
ARE DISCUSSED.
Names HIS Reason for the Converting
" the Legislature Before the Reou-
lar session-He Is Expected to Gov.
of the Legislature Before the Resu.
in His Message.

CHARLESTON, w. ", Dec. co.
Governor Classcock has made public
his proclamation converting the West
Virginia legislature in extraordinary
session on Thursday. January 2, 1919,
six days before the regular session
conyenes.
Nine matters are discussed by the
governor as ~warranting him In con.
vening the legislature In extraordin.
airy session. These are:
Primary election law to include
United States senators and expires.
sion of preference for president and
vice president, and to provide for the
selection of political party commit
tees and holding of political party
conventions.
A law prohibiting the employment
of private guards, such as wac IN
vogue before the state militia was
sem to the Kanawha coal fields to sup
press rioting.
Amendments to the corrupt prac'
tice act. to apply TO the election OF
United States senators and president
ial preference elections.
A workmen's compensation act
A law creating a public service com
mission.
A county officers salary law plac-
ing all county officers on salary In
stead of salary fees.
Allaw to aid in the prevention and
settlement of strikes.
A law providing that all interest re
ceived on moneys deposited by coun'
ty t~reasurers to be credited to the
county funds.
An act TO aid in the prevention and
settlements OF strikes and lockouts
Appropriation Of such money fol-
compensation and mileage as will b.
necessary to pay the expenses ot
those holding the position
The governor is expected to covai
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1912-12-28
Department Affairs Discussed
by Chief Executive
WANTS DEPARTMENTS
BROUGHT TOGETHER
Believes Cabinet Members Should
Participate in Observation-Disclosures
Should be Better PAID for Carrying
Maiis--Favors Sherman Antitrust
Laws-other Reeommeadations.

WASHINGTON. Dec. 2~0.-President
Taft sent to Congress- yesterday his
message on department affairs. He
recommends that the cabinet mem.
bers have seats Ia the house and sen.
ate. and that they take part In the de-
bates and answer questions after due
notice has been given that certain
questions Will be propounded. I.
The President thinks that this will
bring the executive and legislative
branches OF the government closer to.
gether and aid legislation. He pro
poses the extension oil the postal saw
ings bank system, the placing OF all
postmasters and other local govern.
ment officials on the civil service.
He also favors additional compensa-
ton for the railroads for carrying
the malls and parcels post. he be
lieyes that there should be a revision
OF the land laws and of the land de-
partment.
As TO the Remsen Board of food ex
perts. which was appointed by Presi.
dent Roosevelt. he believes II should
be continued, and points 10 the good
1t has done. The system OF credits
for the farmers Is approved and It's
establishment Is favored.
The President deplored the private
ownership OF the public lands and
particularly OF those In Alaska. as
well as the inactivity OF Congress re-
lative to the unhealthy condition OF
the Indians.
In discussing the Sherman anti
trust laws he regrets that opposition
has developed toward them. and he
recites the instances where they have
proved beneficial In compelling the
trusts OF the country to obey the laws.
Take up the alley conditions In
Washington he pleads for something
TO be done that will remove this
stain from the Nations capital. He
attributes the high death rate In the
city to the %unsanitary conditions. He
also claims that these same con.
ditions throughout the country are re-
sponsible for the high death rate. and
he calls upon Congress TO give this
matter more attention.
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1912-12-28

Edgar Thorn, son of Mr.. and Mrs.
II. p. Thorn. North Raleigh street,
returned home last evening from Bal
timore, where he was confined in the
Maryland University Hospital. fol-
lowing a successful operation for gall
stones. He il very much improved
in health and is glad to get home in
time for the Christmas cheer.
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1912-12-28
INCOMES NAMES EusTIs.

NEW YORK, Dec. 21.-William F..
McCombs, chairman Of the Democrat
ic National Executive committee, to-
day appointed William Corcoran Eus-
tbs. of Washington, as chairman OF
the inaugural committee.
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1912-12-28
Their Boss.

The employees OF the weaving room
in the Crawford Wooden Mills yester-
day presented Mr.. w. w. Welsh, over
Q OF the department, with a hand
some Morris chair as a Christmas gift
and as a token OF their regard for
him, The boys say that Mr.. Welsh
now wears a grin that won't come
on.
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1912-12-28
HAND MASHED.

Mr.. ]. ]. Hicks, of Adams street,
foreman of the repair and inspection
gang at Intersection, met with a pain
full accident Saturday. While assist
ing in blocking up a car which had
been upset, his right hand vas caught
between the blocks and badly mash
ed. He is back on duty, but the con
dition of the injured member is such
tina he cannot use It.
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1912-12-28
A Baby BOY.

Attorney Harry Downs received q
telegram this morning from his broth
en-. William s.. Downs. Chest ffnyef,
Pa. announcing the birth Or d aon.
Mr.. Downs Is fell known In this city.
and has many friends who extend
hearty congratulations. Mrs. Downs.
before her marriage. was a Miss Al
bright, OF Kingwood. w. Va.
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1912-12-28

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
State of West Virginia
Executive Department.
A proclamation:
/. William Il. Glasscock, Governor
OF the State of West Virginia by vir-
tue OF the authority conferred upon
me by section seven of article seven
Of the Constitution OF said State, do
hereby convoke the Legislature In ex.
traordinary session, to meet in It's
chambers, in the Capitol. In the City
OF Charleston. In said State. at noon.
on Thursday. the second day of Janu-
AIRY, A. d., 1918. to act and enter upon
the following named business:
First. To pass an act for the hold
ing of primary elections for the nom
nation by political parties of candI.
dates for public Office. including the
Office Of United States Senator, and
for An expression of a preference OF
the voters of the State for candidates
for President and Vice President OF
the United States; and, In connection
Herewith. to provide for the selection
Of political party committees and the
holding OF political party conventions.
Second. To amend and re-enact
chapter 20 of the Acts OF the Extra
ordinary Session of 1908. commonly
known as the Corrupt Practices Act
or to pass other act or acts having
the general purpose and object of that
Act; that Is, to prohibit bribery and
all other corrupt acts aud practices
In or about any election, general,
special, or primary. or In or about any
caucus, convention Of meeting for the
nomination or selection Of candidates.
for public ONCE. including candidates
for the office of United States Senator,
and President and Vice President OF
the United States. or Of members OF
a committee OF any political party; 10
prohibit the undue, lavish, OF corrupt
use OF money in or about any such
election, or in or about the choosing
OF candidates. for public office. includ
Ing the ONCE Of United States Senator
and President and Vice President OF
the United States, or the members OF
political party committees.
Third. To pass an act providing ar
ditional remedies TO preserve the
peace. by prohibiting the employment
Of private guards and authorizing the
appointment by the Governor Of spec
ial police, prescribing the method OF
their appointment, their duties. their
removal and their liabilities; and
making 1t unlawful to carry fire arms
and other dangerous weapons on GER
tain properties and prescribing penal
ties for any violation OF the act.
Fourth. To pass an act providing
compensation to certain employees
for injuries resulting from accidents
In the course OF their employment.
Fifth. To pass an act providing a
salary for sheriffs, clerks Of county
and circuit courts and prosecuting at
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1912-12-28
ENoiNEER HURT.

Mr.. Charles Holland, a B. & o. sec
cond division engineer accidentally
fell from the tank of his engine at Sir
Johns Run Sunday forenoon and suff-
cred the fracture of his left leg. He
was taken to Cumberland on train
No. 10 shortly before . O'Clock and
was conveyed TO the Allegheny hos
pital where be Is being cared for.
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1912-12-28
A Luxurious U 9

"Ohacer. do you know where a maj
can find a bed of tulips?"
mot at this time OF year. What do
you want with q bed OF tulipss"
Want TO take a nap therein" an
swered the inebriatcd one, as he zig
Jagged along.
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1912-12-28
Very Measre; Others Large.

In his call for the extraordinary SEES
sion of the Legislature Governor Glass
cock announces that he will ask for
a county salary law. He believes that
the sheriffs. prosecuting attorneys and
county and circuit clerks receive en-
tirely too much money for their ser
vices.
When the bill is introduced at the
extra session both sides will be we'll
represented, and considerable pres
sure will undoubtedly be brought to
bear upon the members of both hous-
rs. The question will be a difficult
n to settle and how to arrive at u
satisfactory arrangement is more that
any member of the legislature will
venture an opinion at this time.
The question has been debated both
pro and o and there is good argu,
ment on both sides. In some counties
these officials receive handsome sal.
aries. but their responsibilities are
great. while in Others the salaries are
scarcely sufficient to enable a man to
live. In Calhoun county the net earn
iiigs OF the sherif's office in 1911
were 81. 1888. As, Writ. county S2,382.53.
Hampshire s2.791.53 and in Berkeley
Sc 05.88.
The same holds good with the coun-
ty clerks Last year the county clerks
office in Morgan county yielded an in
crease of $1,230.70, Writ county ST.
4S4.25. Hampshire $1,7S6.55 and Berk-
eley $4,1S1.06.
If the state places such offices ON a
salary basis no man could accept
them and expect to save anything dur
ing his term.
Here is a letter from Mr. Sylvester
Myers. clerk of the county court of
Wetzel county, which he has sent to
members of the State Legislature and
others. It is very complete as it
shows infinitely what she revenues
and expenditures Of his office are, the
letter reads:
Dear Sir
In view of the fact that IL Cover
nor has deemed it necessary to call a
special session OF the Legislature for
January End for the purpose, among
other things. for enacting a County
Salary Law, and in view of the furth-
err fact that several of our leading pa
pers have published what purports
to be the income of the clerks and
sheriffs in a number of counties OF
this State, without saying anything
relative to the expenses of running
those offices. it seems appropriate at
this time to offer you a few facts con-
corning my WI county.
Following statement shows the
amount of fees collected during the
past four years:
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1912-12-28
COUNTY OFFICIALS
IN MANY PLACES
ARE NOT WELlPA|D
But the Governor Says They
Receive Too Much.
OFFICE WORTH HAVING
IN SOME PLACES

Legislature viii Have to Face the
Question and it win be a Difficult
One 10 Handle-ln Many Counties
1.-The Net Earnings of Offices are
Very Meaere; Others Large.
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1912-12-28

many other subjects In his message
to the legislature. Among these will
be the Virginia debt and the taxing
of oil and gas.
The proclamation Is as follows:
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1912-12-28
VIII Attend Fair.

Hose Co. No. s viii attend the Com
rey Band fair on Friday night, De-
cember "a.
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1912-12-28

Total average income q yrs. $ao96.O0
Average clerk hire (should
have been about $2500).. $4,000
Average amount Is per cent
fees paid into county treas
,srv ........... 10000
Total disbursements annually $220O.00
Deducting this from total average,
leaves the clerk the "munifcent' sum
OF S1s96.0 for a whole years hard
work and responsibility.
| want you to read closely the fol-
lowing statement of facts, which will
give you a slight idea OF what the
clerk of this county does to earn his
salary:
From January LIST, last, to the pres
ent time December 12th-a little oy-
or eleven months time) we have re-
corded 1903 Instruments of writing, in
GLIDING deeds, deeds of trust, leases,
judgments, Wills, settlements, ETC.;
wrote 10 vacation orders; issued S25
State licenses; 213 marriage licenses;
wrote 1854 pages county court proceed
ings; issued 6131 vouchers; covering
175 large pages in accounting record