The Wheeling Daily Intelligencer

ADJOURNED SINE DIE
THE LEGISLATURE DONE GONE
An Attempt to Do More Work in the Closing
Hours Than in the Entire Session Be-
fore, Causes Some Difficulty--The
Session Informally Extended.
The Legislature insisted last night in
passing bills at a rapid rate in both houses
up to within a few minutes of midnight
in spite of constant warnings that the en-
rolling of all those passed would be im-
possible. Consequently about a quarter
before twelve the clock in each house had
to be stopped to prevent the session from
running into to-day. In reality it was
considerably after one o'clock this morn-
ing before the Legislature did finally ad-
journ. Several recesses were taken to
enable the presiding officers to sign the
enrolled bills, and to give the Committee
on Enrolled Bills an opportunity to do its
work. For a time the fun in the House
was fast and furious during one of these
sessions, the "Third House" being organ-
ized and holding a prolonged session.
Finally the two houses passed a resolu-
tion providing for a committee to wait
upon the Governor and inform him that
the Legislature was ready to adjourn.
This committee, consisting of Senators
Dawson and Lobban, and Delegates White,
Marshall and Alexander, performed this
duty, and reported that the Executive had
nothing further to communicate.
Another recess was taken, and then the
usual committees were appointed to notify
each house that the other was ready to ad-
journ. Neither interposed any objections,
and the thing was done.
Several of the members of both houses
left for home last evening, and most of the
others will go to-day. A number will re-
main in the city to take in the inaugural
ball next week, and a few will go to Wash-
ington on Monday or Tuesday.
THE CLOSING HOURS.
Passing Bills up to the Last Minute in the
Senate,
In the Senate last night Mr. Lobban
offered the usual resolution of thanks to
the President, clerks, etc., for their im-
partial and efficient services. It was
adopted. The Senate then, on motion of
Mr. Dawson, went into executive session.
When the doors were opened the
Senate passed the following bills:
House Bill No. 17, to permit the con-
struction of board walks along the public
highways.
House Bill No. 5, authorizing clerks of
Circuit courts to act for clerks of County
courts in cases where the latter are inter-
est.
House Bill No. 70, to prevent County
courts from abusing their powers.
House Bill No. 214, to enlarge the duties
and powers of Boards of Education in
reference to the purchase of textbooks
prescribed by law for use in the Free
schools of the State.
Last Night in the House.
In the House last night after recess Mr.
Stapleton offered a resolution expressing
the appreciation of the House for the fair
and able manner in which the Speaker
had filled his position. On this Mr. Ed-
wards demanded the ayes and noes. Of
course the demand was not sustained.
Mr. Edwards, however, voted no. A sec-
ond resolution was offered by Mr. Staple-
ton thanking the Clerks. Both were
unanimously adopted with the single ex-
ception noted above. On motion of Mr.
Sayre the thanks of the House were ten-
dered the citizens of Wheeling for their
courtesy.
The House passed Senate Bills No. 104
and 54. The former amends the act creat-
ing the independent school-district of
Winfield; and the latter prescribes punish-
ment for obstructing railroad tracks or in-
juring railroad property. Senate Bill No.
89 was also passed. It amends the Alter-
nate road law. Also House Bill No. 174.
in relation to writs of quo warranto and
other writs of like character.
Senate Bill No. 10, making it unlawful
for certain stock to run at large, and mak-
ing the owners thereof liable for damages
done by any such stock permitted to run at
large in violation of the provisions of this
act.
The bill includes geese. Mr. Oxley sug-
gested that possibly this law might inter-
fer with the peaceful passage of members
to their homes.
Mr. McMechen asked if the gentleman
was a goose or a gander.
Mr. Dyer suggested that the bill be
amended so as not to apply to the Delegate
from Lincoln county.
Senate Joint Resolution No. 21, provid-
ing for the adjournment sine die of the
Legislature at 12 o'clock, midnight, was
taken up on motion of Mr. Gilkeson, at
11:50 P. M. Pending its consideration,
Mr. Gilkeson moved that the House take
a recess for ten minutes, which was
adopted. Upon reassembling, after the
usual formalities, the House adjourned.
A MEMORABLE EVENT
A Distinguished State Senator Presents His
Senatorial Chair to an Editor
While Senators were engaged in last ef-
forts to pass bills on the last day, a scene
not on the programme was being quietly
enacted in the room of the Sergeant-at-
Arms. A resolution had passed allowing
Senators and Delegates to purchase at ap-
praised value the chairs they have occu-
pied during the session, many desiring to
preserve them as souvenirs. Senator
William Woodyard, of Roane, communi-
cated to several other Senators a desire to
make a different disposition of his chair.
At his instance the presentation ceremony
was conducted without ostentation. Sen-
ator W. C. McGrew, of Monongalia, pre-
sided, and Senator N. B. Scott, of Ohio
acted as master of ceremonies. In pre-
senting the chair Senator Woodyard said
Mr. Chairman:--At this solemn and
impressive moment--a moment when
partings must be had and farewells said
I am impressed deeply with the convic-
tion that friendships formed during the
legislative session just closed will be
friendships of a pleasant and, I trust,
lasting character. I myself have made a
number of true and genial friends, and
among the number none truer or more
genial than the gentleman who so ably
fills the editorial chair of the Wheeling
INTELLIGENCER. And as an appreciation
of his merits and ability, and as a testi-
monial of my friendship and regard for
him, I take occasion at this time to ten-
der to him this chair which I have hum-
bly filled during the session just ended.
In begging him to accept this small token
of my esteem, I hope and trust that he
may never be embarrassed by the thought
that it was once filled by a member of the
West Virginia Legislature.
Mr. Hart, who had been invited into the
room--upon false pretenses, arose and said
with much feeling:
MR. CHAIRMAN AND GENTLEMEN:--This
is a great surprise to me. I will not deny
my pleasure is equal to my surprise and that
my embarrassment exceeds both. Since
the opening of this session of the Legisla-
ture, to which the people have turned
and turned in vain, for relief from burden-
some and unlawful taxing methods, I have
been permitted to come into very close re-
lation with the Senator from the rippling
mills and wooded wilds of Roane. I was
not long in discovering the reason of his
popularity at home and here amid
the gathered wisdom of his State.
Favored with a winning presence
dignified of bearing, strong in con-
viction, yet kindly in his intercourse
with men, always suave, always ready
to oblige when conscience was not viola-
ted I could well understand his hold on
men. Permit me to say, sir, that I found
pleasure and profit in his companionship
and have been proud to think that the
friendship of so good and true a man
and so capable and efficient a legislator
I cannot permit myself to hope, sir, that
he editor will fill this chair with any
less of the distinguished ability which
characterized the legislative career of
the Senator, who now gracefully u