Pioneer press. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1882-19??, 1915-03-20
NO EXTRA SESSION
SAYS THE GOVERNOR
Chief Executive Tells Why He Win
. Not Reoonvene the State
Legislature


ture In extraordinary session again
for the purpose Of enacting revenue
measures, is the positive statement
of Governor Hatfield. Returning from
Parkersburg, where Sunday he pre-
sided over a number OF meetings
held in connection with the reform
campaign being conducted by DR.. ].
Asphalt McCuaig, the chief execu.
tive made plain his position relative
to the failure Of the legislature to
provide sufficient revenues to meet
the states demands.
Il shall not call the legislature in
extraordinary session again for the
reason that I feel l have done every
thing possible that can be expected
of me by the people," he declared.
MY first effort when l took charge
las governor was to find out about
the states financial conditions | did
this and l have conducted the flnan-
clal affairs Of the state in an eco
|nomic way and did everything I could
wv ~ ASIl SAiSl, CIV Cu w lAC SAlSllI VI
|instructing the board OF control not
Ito expend appropriations made by the
Legislature for new buildings, and al
$50 appropriations for repairs and i'm
|provements to the amount Of S4On,
1000. I did this for the reason that
there were no finances in sight with
which to meet those obligations which
had been made by the legislature Of
1913.
when the Legislature met in bien-
NAL session this year I called it's at
sention specifically in my first mes
sage to the financial condition Of the
state. I set out the situation in the
way Of a financial statement found on
page eight Of my biennial message.
1.-THE Legislature set apart the last
five days. OF the regular session for
Fthe consideration Of nothing otner
than finance and emergency meas
lures. Yet, notwithstanding this DELHI
}eratfon ON It's part, the Legislature
passed an appropriation bill which
carried with it a liability over and
above all available resources, amount
ing to $1,500,000, not counting the
accrued deficit of $4OO,OOOO, and out
standing liabilities in the form Of I'M
Expended appropriations, making
total of $3,2OO,OOO
Il vetoed out of the appropria tior
bill many items which were meritor.
ious and which tn Legislature should
have provided for and restored. These
amount in round numbers 10 $3.50 900.
and Notwithstanding this veto, there
are now still outstanding liabilities
amounting to $1,S0O,0OO over and
above any available revenue 10 meet
these obligations.
Il felt it was my plain duty to re-
convene the legislature in extraordin.
AIRY session for the purpose Of con.
sidering primarily the question OF fl.
nance | sent special message on
this subject, stating that l favored
The indirect method Of taxation, such
hs privilege, license, or excise metn.
bds CT raising revenue instead Of the
ubiquitous direct method, the elimin-
alton Of which the people haze gone
pm record as tavcring.
II suggested no special indirect
method, but my personal conviction
was that there should be passed rev.
Pnue measures based either on gross
pr net incomes in the shapes Of privi-
eye or excise on public service cor
borations. This, or no other method
tould be suggested, it seemed, that
hid not meet with the opposition OF
minority Of the Republicans in the
senate A combination was therefore
Effected by these minority Republi.
cans and the nine Democratic sena-
OTIS which resulted in the defeat OF
Flny and all measures looking toward
he raising of new revenue, and on the
Fve of adjournment Of the .sxtraordin.
~ ,,-1n IL Jo;,