Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1921-01-13
LEGISLATURES IN SESSION.

The West Virginia Legislature con-
vened IN regular session in Charleston
yesterday. The destruc ion of the cap
itol builling by fire last week has made
the present session different from any
eve. b>iore held. The Senate con-
vcncd IN the auditorium of the Y. M.
G.. n. building, while the House OF
Delegates me, in the Baptist Temple.
The adoption of The legislative
amendment at the November election
will cause a decided change in the
m.thols OF making laws. Under this
amendment the first fifteen days of the
session will be devoted to the intro
duction of bills, though none may Be
passed. At the end Of these fifteen
days a recess will be taken until March
| 10Th, when q session of As days will
begin. At this second session no new
bills may be introduced except under
certain conditions or as emergency
| measures, but the time will be devoted
to the discussion and passage of bills
introduced at the first session.
Governor Cornwelrs message to the
Legislature was read yesterday. Ii Is
a comprehensive review of the various
activities Of the State government and
has number OF wise recommendation
which the Legislature will do well 10
consider. One OF the most important
suggestions is as follows:
While the problem of providing for
a new capitol is one for the Legis-
lature, cannot refrain from express
ing the belief that il would be the part
OF wisdom 10 erect building of modest
size and Of firing design as capitol
building, to contain halls for the tive
houses OF the Legislature, a sufficient
number OF committee rooms, the Cow
ernor'S Offices and Offices for the Sccre-
tary of State and The Attorney General
and then construct modern oH'cs
building nearby to house all the other
boards and departments. Those va
rlous departments are business organi-
cations, with many clerks and emJ
plovccs, and can be best provided for in
a modern Office building. think
great deal Of money can be saved the
State by such an arrangement. for a
capitol building large enough to house
all the various departments would, With
its high ceilings and architectural
designs, have much wasted spacs.
Either that or an attempt To economizo
space, would spoil the architectural ef-
feet OF the building
MANY important measures will bs
presented for consideration BY this
Legislature, among them being the
bills to carry out the provisions Of tho
good roads amendment adortcd at the
recent election and the issuance ui
bonds for this purpose; provision for
a new State House and probably bills
providing for the removal Of the State
capital from Charleston to some otheI
city; reorganization OF the National
Guard; the State budget with its in
creased appropriations FOR varous
State departments: taxation. the GEN.
tralization NJ taxing authority In q
State Tax Commission or Tax Com
missioner with final power In the mat
ter OF equalization OF assessments:
change OF the assessment wear to begin
January instead OF April {: amend
ments TO the primary election law:
plans FOR redis'ricting the State for
Members of Congress and the epis.
Ilature; var'pus laws being brought for
ward as the result OF the winning
LOT the franchise bv women. such as
bills providing mothers pensions, min
imum ware for women and minors
limiting the hours for women to work
raising the age OF consent. providing
equal guardianship OF parents pver
their children; the estahl;ehino OF
separate home for feebIeminded: pro.
lvidine for vital statistics and the es-
tablishment OF health units in various
counties. The enahlino of counties
to employ business managers: abolish
ing the o@ce OF State PANE warden
and the creation OF State PANE COM
mission; the atolishmen. ~ ,rivate de-
tective agencies; the submission TO
the voters ~ constitutional arnndme,ts
providino FOR the initiative. referendum
and recall and possibly Other changes.
and local bills OF various sorts.