The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-01-15
Anti-Saloon League Prepar-
ing to Fight Hinton
Mans Bill.
POLICE CHIEFS HAVE B!EL
Effort to Make Wife Deser.
lion a Felony Will Be
Fought.

tgpecial dispatch to West YirginlnnD
CHARLESTON, w. Va. Jan. II
The personnel OF the West Virginia
legislature of 1917 leads the observer
TO conclude that legislation for this
period is in,good hunds. While there
are many new memue.s VINO know but
little about the procedure, the majority
Of them are mentally equipped SO that
they win not be long III learning.
twas evident when the two branch.
IS reconyened today after u vacation
Tor many Of the members since last
Thursday at noon, that there is a dis.
position generally to expedite the
forthcoming work and 40 SO con.
scienttously with the public interests
IN view all the while.
There will be no wholesale making
Of laws, IS the impression gained from
association with the solons, although
hearty every one OF them has in mind
pet measure. Ernest attention will
be given to many bnls that are sure to
be introduced; all facts relating to the
Virginia debt will receive the atten.
ton and reconsideration that the mo.
mentous prouIem demands.
The committees OF both houses Sc.
leeted 70 handle the question lI,v.
in the Judgment for approximately 3d.,
100000 against the state, we're select.
ed with reference to the caliber OF TIE
members and with reference to their
knowledge Of the debt subject either
by profession or through having care.
FULLY analyzed the question since 1t be-
came uppermost In the public mind
lew years ago after being more or .ess
dormant for good many years.
There are those in the legislature
Who were elected on platforms prom.
sing support to the idea of repudia.
ton. Col James Basel, of Lewis
county, - llo.,...y OF these. o.
permitted the subject to go unnoticcd
during the campaign, but are recog.
nized by their constituents as oppos-
ing the payment of the judgment ii
there Is any way out of it. But wheth.
er these are in the majority remains
10 be seen. The subject will certain.
~ not be one drawn on party lines.
Some members are outspoken in
their belief that the debt should be
paid, no matter who owns the Old Do.
minion bonds. Among these are law
gers who view the situation from a
professional and ethical standpoint.
Second only to the Virginia debt
comes along the prohibition subject.
That the present statutes governing
the transportation of intoXicants have
not brought about the desired results
is not questioned by any one but 1t is
believed also that il these statutes
We're enforced the corrections of evils
now practiced with reference to liquor
traffic wouiJ not be long in the max
ing.
Anti.saloon advocates of promi-
hence In West Virginia are nearly ali
satisfied that with few changes in the
present laws that there is no call for
radical amendments or the passage Of
any bill which materially differs from
the laws now in force
When Senator C. C.ICoalter let it be
known that he had q plan Tor curU,Ig
Illegal traffic and oil getting some rev.
enue for road Improvements in doing
so, many were OF the opinion that u
good solution had finally been found.
but his bill is meeting with much op-
position from the prohibition forces,
organized and unorganiZed.
G. w. Crabbe, secretary of the West
Virginia Antl.Saloon League. declares
that the law he proposes would be un.
constitutional, The bill provides To-
gal way Of getting intoXicants from
the saloon states, thus making 1t UNI
profitable for bootleggers to ply their
trade with any degree of success and
profit.
= gri,l,s fSttass ~ r,ol;ca aud paooe 0ffI
GERS Association proposes bill max
ing the desertion of wife felony,
but this has already met with opposi.
ton from various sources, and the an
tagonisin shown indicates that the
bill will be offered covering this sub.
5ect. WIN have some rough shedding be-
fore It becomes part OF the laws of
West Virginia.
That statutes will be made looking
toward the breeding of good live stock
In West Virginia, is almost certain.
w. So far as known no opposition has
developed to any Of the several pro.
posed bills covering this subject, ana
there are enough farmers in the legis-
lature to make 1t uncomfortable for
others who might oppose reasonable
bin along this line.
Tho legislation on education which
Will be passed will be limited only by
the number OF changes and improve
ments that can be Incorporated in the
school laws by popular agreement, Al.
most my measure within reason will
be given careful consideration Judging
from the expression Of many of the
law makers.
Ifany radical measures are present,
cd either by tho Republicans or Demo.
Gratis they will not be passed II poiitl.
cal questions are involved which tend
70 inJure tho chances OF either party,
Consequently there ID a disposition
on the part OF tho seions 20 show the
opposition party men every rouTtosy
juBt 80 long as no attempt Il MAIDS 70
put oYef something that looks mimi
cal to party future. \