Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1919-01-14
WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE
ORGANIZES.
Prohibition Amendment Ratified.

ORGANIZES.
Prohibition Amendment Ratified.
Formal organization of the West
Virginia Legislature was affected
last Wednesday by the election of
DR.. Charles A. Sinsel, of Grafton, as
president of the State Senate. and
John T. Harris, of Wood county, as
Chief Clerk of the same body; Luz
the Wolf, of jackson county, as
Speaker of the House of Delegates,
and Mont Topping, of Kanawha,
as clerk.
me other officers elected, confirm
ing the action of the caucus of the
Re- ublicans in both branches, were !:
Bonner II. Hill, of Kanawha county,
senate Sergeant at arms: Jack Smith,
of Huntington, senate doorkeeper;
W. II. G. Curtis, of Wheeling, house
sergeant at arms, and John H. Shriv-
er, of Richie county, house door
keeper.
The organization of the two houses
was a perfunctory matter except
where in the state senate the minor
lty senators departed from their US
ual custom and cast their votes for
all of the Republican nominees, with
the exception of the presiding officer,
the Democratic senators voting for
Senator Fred L. Fox, of Braxton
county, the minority leader.
Breaking all precedents, the sem
ate, in addition to perfecting the
organization, adopted without a dis
sentlng vote, resolution presented
by Harry w. Hammer, of Clarksburg,
ratifying the federal amendment
proposing national prohibition. Five
membrs were absnt on the roll call,
tn eabsentees being, Bloch, Burgess,
Coalter, Montgomery and Vencill.
With only three votes in the mega
tive, those of Delegates Weiss, Otto
and Richards, all of Ohio county. the
House on Thursday adopted the Sem
ate resolution ratifying the National
Prohibition amendment...~sIE31sis @exn-
pletes the ratification IL West Viz
ginia.
In both houses appropriate reso-
lutions on the death of Colonel
Theodore Roosevelt was adopted.
Both houses adjourned on Thurs
day until Tuesday
The Governor sent his message to
the Legislature on Wednesday, of
which the following is a summary:
Asks for continuation of unity of
purpose displayed during the war for
improving conditions of State, phy-
slcally, financially and morally.
Shows million dollar sulplus in
treasury at end of next fiscal year.
Terms management of State insti-
tutions during past biennial period a
remarkable performance.
recommendations of State Eff
cheney Commission during few weeks
of its existence justified its creation.
Seeks separation of deaf and blind
schools at Romney.
Recltes that patients in State
hospitals have been given increased
quantities of food.
recommends establishment of an
institution for the feeble-minded,
ana hospital for the colored insane.
Favors the creation of State Hos
pitai commission to maintain SUPER
vision of State hospitals.
Asks for the abolition of contract
labor in the pnitentiary.
Favors amendment of statute to
permit parole of life prisoners in the
penitentiary. '
Asks for legislation that will re-
duce the industrial casualty list and
make human life and limb safe in
time of peace.
recommends revision of mining
laws with additional district inspec.
tors and increased salaries.
Favors strengthening of State
Health Department.
Asks for removal of present Iip,i-
tation on capital stock of banks and
trust companies.
Recommends creation of perman-
mt State police to replace National
Guard. ''ioii"i
Favors limiting percentage of text
DOCKS that can be changed aft any
one time and requests Legislature 10
investigate action of school hook
board IN changing text-b books in 1917
Asks for ratification of amend
ment to federal constitution propos-
ing nationwide prohibition.
declares printing laws have little
merit and asks for revision of same
ADVISES action taken on attemnt
I olimlt gas transportation in effort
TO ascertain powers of Public Ser
wee commission and the Legislature
Favors legislation giving voters
flght to change provisions of mimi
clpaI charters upon proper notice
recommends consideration Of tbo
lane IDEA to reclaim cut-over lands
Tor returning soldiers.
:, Urges legislation that will preclude
the display of the Red Flag.
Asks for appointment of cor,,,;.
SION empowered to erect a monument
IN front of the Capitol as a tribute
TO the heroes of the recent war.