The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1917-01-11
STATE LEGISLATURE NOW READY
. To GET DOWN To REAL BUSINESS
MONDAY WILL SEE THE
TWO HOUSES IN ACTION
Believed Session Will Result
in Much Beneficial Legis-
lation-Recess Today.
SPECIAL Mpa.ch To Tho In.elllsenees.


CHARLESTON, W. Va, Jan. 10
Preliminaries and formalities are
cleared away and the State legislature
tonight is ready for business. Moth
ing Of Importance will be done, how
ever, before next week, at the earliest,
as it is probable that in short sessions
tomorrow both houses will adjourn un-
til Monday. There may be Friday
session, but it is likely that two-day
interim will be allowed for the ap-
pointment Of committees by President
Goodykoontz, in the Senate, and
Speaker Thurmond, in the House or
Delegates.
What will be done by the legislature
Is, Of course, an unknown quantity at
this time. but there are indications
that the session will result In legisla-
ton Of real benefit to the Stale. The
last message Of Governor Hatfield, de-
Evered to-day to the legislators. not
only presents clear exposition OF tne
States condition at the present time'
but points out a number OF meritorf
Gus avenues for action. This has been
remarked upon by legislators Of both
parties, and it is hardly e1aggeTauon
20 add that there seems to be abroad
spirit of dropping partisan diner
.nces to the end that good may be at
iained. While it is possible for the
divided administration to get into the
worst of deadlocks. it is thought more
probable that the danger OF such a re-
suit will SO impress itself on the leg
islators that the lure. Of political au-
yantases will be discounted by the de-
sire 10 perform public duty. -,
One measure that doubtless Will
cause public satisfaction is soon TO
be introduced by Senator 4. l.. Gregg
~, of Wood county, providing that the
direct State tax for 1917 shall not eS-
ceed six cents on the SlO0 valuation:
and providing also that the Boaro OF
Public Works may refrain from laying
any such levy. ii conditions make II
possible.
No Longer Necessary.
It was pointed out in the message
of Governor Hatfield that the extra
ordinary taxation measures OF the
last two years are no longer neces-
sary, and the Gregory measure is
believed to represent the ideas OF the
executive on this subject; Otner
measures in preparation. bf the WOOD
county senator provide Tor a tuoer-
culosis Sanatarium for colored people.
$4,000 annually being appropriated
during three years for site anu
buildings; practically prohibiting the
oneration Of the so.called household
loan companies; preventing itinerant
merchants from competing with estab-
lished business houses: and providing
for double election boards with the
object of -expediting. the counting or
ballots All OF these measures are
understood TO have the governor S
approval. 49,,
APPOINTMENT Of attaches in both
houses is te be announced next Mon
day, and in this connection the Repuo-
licaas are awaiting with interest the
list from the lower chamber. While
the Democrats claimed that there
were many useless attaches when the
house was under Republican control.
there is as yet no indication that the
number will be reduced. and 1t IS even
guessed that there will be an increase.
1t is certain that an increase will be
necessary if satisfaction IS to be given
10 one-tenth of the applicants Tor
house positions.
Todar'S proceedings attracted many
visitors to the capitol but tired them
when the joint session Of the two
houses was dragged into the evening
because of the tedious canvass OF the
November vote for state officers. All
the Republican candidates were de-
clared elcted by Speaker Thurmond OF
the house with the exception of Judge
Ira r. Robinson. who lost the gov
ernorship TO John J. Cornwell by 1855
votes. Mr.. Cornwell's official total
being 1924.
Organization Completed.
The perfecting of the organization
of the two houses was completed with
little delay. the caucus actions ruling.
The Democratic Senators named no
candidate for Clerk OF the Senate.
although they did not give official en-
dorsement 10 John T. Harris. whose
long service has won him friends on
both sides of the chamber.
In the House sessions. Dan B.
Leonard. of Parkersburg. acted as
Chief Assistant TO Robert l.. HamlI.
ton. Clerk Of the House. Mr.. Leonard
WAS a candidate for Clerk Of the
House and is to be appointed to the
position he occupied today. Speaker
Thurmond was assisted In the chair
by c. VI. WetZel. OF the internal rev.
(Continueo on PaRa Eighty