The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-02-26
FIGHT
FOR CARTER BILL
TYLER COUNTY SENATOR UN.
oAUNTEO OVER DEFESr OF
HIS MUNICIPAL GOVERN
hEkT BILL
VIII be Great Reform ard save Much
Time n EKpense-Wiit Bring
70 Up Two Years Hence.
~ ". n. NENSER
(Stah Correspondent)

AAAaAIA'A " Auf AaAa NMaN the AtEr
islature turned Gown his bill. propos-
INK 10 give cities OF over 2.00e popula-
tion the right 10 control its own munich
pal Affairs. senator W. n. Carter OF
Tyler county. will continue his nght
for reform In municipal laws al the
next session. according TO a statement
made by him this morning.
Senator Carter refers TO the time OF
the legislature occupied by considera-
ton OF charter bills and the cost 10
the state OF printing the bills. a. Ak
cellent reasons Why such a law should
be passed.
II Is estimated that the cost OF print
ing h Fairmont. Wheeling and Char
lesion charter bills alone amounted to
more han $1,000.
Provides Needed Reform.
In introducing Senate Bill No. 80
In respect To giving all cities in the
state, with a population OF two thous-
and OF over. the control OF its own
municipal Affairs. I felt like there was
being supplied a long needed legisla-
ton upon this subject" Senator Car
ter said. The charters that are pre-
sented to the State Legislatures every
two years by the different cities of the
State. takes up al least a fourth OF
the time OF the Legislature and In adj
dition thereto costs the state of West
virginia in h way OF printing the
bills. at the least estimate, ten thous-
and dollars.
The bill as introduced by me pro
vided upon a two-thirds majority OF
the voters OF any city having a popu-
lation Of two thousand or more. right
TO call a charter convention. consisting
OF at least twenty-one tax payers OF
said city. who's duty IL is 10 frame
a charter for said city. and in conform
ity with the laws OF the state. TINS
provision is nothing new for every
charter hat comes before the Legis-
lature is prepared by an individual OF
individuals Of said city. in every in
stance. or practically 30. and the char
ter as written is passed by the Legis-
%lature.
"A further provision in the bill pro-
iyided that when said charter CONVEX
ton meets and completes a charter
for the city the same shall immedi-
ately be signed by the members OF the
convention n be published in full
In two newspapers OF opposite politics
and at the same time a call is pub
lished for an election within one week
.ANA N4' N&FN hAbAAAaAAbAa ~ NAAlh
time the voters OF the cities would
either adopt the charter or reject II
by popular vote n II the charter
should be adopted II would have the
same effect as II It was brought be-
fore the Legislature and passed by IL.
Effective in Many States.
This is not a new law. as the same
Is now in effect in several states IN
the Union Which has bean Worked out
along the lines provided in the bill
and the same result is reached as
though the Legislature had enacted
laws respecting Municipal Corpora
lions. IL Is only a question OF the
Legislature delegating its powers 10
Municipal Corporations and furnishing
10 them home rule. which in a sense
has the same results As accomplished
under the old method OF the Legisla-
lures confirming the charters written
by some individual or individuals of
some Of the municipalities Of his
State.
Il worked very hard trying to get
this bill enacted into a law. | used
all of my influence and power to get
this measure through so that IL would
become an organic Law of this State,
but IL seems that the bill raised a
new question and a new thought which
had not heretofore been considered
and the Legislature vas slow in grasp
ing the present need Of such a law.
In two years from now. / will stil
be a member OF the Senate aud / eX-
pect TO again use my influence in
bringing about the enactment OF the
bill. fulfilling The present needs OF
municipal legislation"