The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-02-22
ATTORNEY GENERAL
TO FIGHT Va. DEBT
'Liny's Opposition Forces
An Amendment To
Measure.

CHARLESTON. W. VA, Fob. a.
Tho senate acting on a report from
the Virginia debt committee, amended
the Virginia debt bill by adding that
ths commission was to act In con.
junction with the attorney general,
and the defense to be conducted with
the approval OF the board Of public
works. and by a vote OF 90 to 4 passed
tho bill late Saturday night.
Charleston, W. Va. Feb. 22-Some,
what Of a sensation was caused in the
Senate Saturday during consideration
OF the Virginia debt bill, creating a
New commission to handle the States
defense against Virginia In the famous
debt suit, when a letter from Attorney
General Lilly was read, protesting
against taking the case out OF the
hands OF his department.
The bill was advanced to its second
reading, and attempts 10 suspend the
constitutional ruie requiring bllR to be
read on separate days. In order thaf
II might Immediately be placed upon
Its passage failed.
Tho bill passed the House OF Dele
gates Friday with only one dissenting
vote. Immediately after the noon re:
cess 1t wat called from tna senate cal.
endar by Senator Goodykoontz, patron
OF the bill.
A motion by Goodykoontz to sus.
pend the rules, after the bills first
reading, vas the signal for some com.
motion in different parts OF the Sen.
ate chamber. Senator Coalter was on
his feet moving to adjourn, while Sen.
ator Rosenbloon was begging for rec.
ognition.
R%osenbloom Opposes.
Obtaining the floor, Rosenbioom
urged that the bill be referred 10 q
committee, and then read a communi.
cation addressed TO himself from the
Attorney General with reference to
the proposed, bill. ~ feel that this is
a direct slap. un%deserved, to this dc.
Partment and tic Board OF Public
Works." the latter read in part. The
Attorney General asked that reference
10 a committee be made In order that
he might be heard, adding that he
would do all in his power as chief law
officer OF the state 10 successfully con.
duct the cult and preserve the rights
OF The people in the litigation now
pending. A letter was enclosed, ad.
dressed to Senator Goodykcontz, set.
ting forth the Attorney Generals reas.
ons for wanting the control OF the case
placed under his department. In this
letter, the Attorney General claimed
that the Governors specia, message
on the Virginia debt had been sub.
mitted without his knowledge and he
was not aware Of It's contents until
he saw Il in the press.
eoodykoontz Reads Reply.
Senator Goodykoontz read q copy
OF his reply to the attorney general,
declaring the matter Is ons OF too
great importance to be dragged into
politics, and that the bill Ind been
drafted by the special Joint commit.
tee OF the two branches OF the lsgis.
lature, and had been submitted to the
board OF public works, obtaining It's
approval.
He pointed out the necessity Of a
small working commission with au.
thority to act In the matter. and urged
that as the time was short. the bill
be Immediately passed.
The discussion wa1ed warm for a
few minutes with several members Of
the senate taking part.
The motion to suspend the rules
lost four.hfths being necessary by
the following vote: Ayes-Beckwith,
Carter. Cooley. Goodykoontx, Gray,
Gregory. Hatfield. Keim. Lowe, Miller,
Morton. McAboy. McClung, steed,
Stroller. Talbot and England.
Noes-Billings. Coalter, Fox, Haw-
ley. Hosg, kump. Marahali. McCrum,
Parrish and R%osenbloom.
In explaining his vote, Senator
Goodykoontz declared the Virginia
debt Is . paramount issue, and should
be regarded az q %non-partisan and non.
faction question. He urged a united,
enthusiastic and vigorous front against
those who are seeking TO fasten the
debt on the people Of this state.
Compensation Bill Passss.
The workmsn's compensation act,
as amended Friday. was passed by
the senate today by vote Of 40 to 4.
The bill passed the house earlier in
the week and now goes to the gov.
ernor for his signature.
The senate conquered In all house
amendments to the Parrish corrupt
practices aets aud Il was unanimously
passed. The amendments reduced
the amounts which the Candidates are
permitted to e1pend In their cam.
paigns,
The bill authorizing counties Dor.
defing on the Ohio river TO issue
special bonds to aid IN the cnnstruc-
hon Of the Lake Erie canal was pass.
Cd by the senate with only one oppos.
ing vote. II has already passed the
house.
The Hydro electric BIN. giving pub.
lic service Commission complete turis.
dtotton over water power companies.
was advanced to second reading, as
was also the pure food bill. intro.
dueed In the house by Delegate Hiner.
man OF Marshaii county. Motions
to make each q special order and
placed upon passage failed.