WEST VIRGINIA. 



803 



rather than ruin themselves, were compelled 

 to reduce production. The rise in coffee, on 

 the contrary, restored planters of that product 

 to a more prosperous condition than they had 

 seen for five years. The Spanish Antilles be- 

 ing flooded with Mexican and other foreign 

 fractional coins, the home Government re- 

 solved to provide a special circulating medium 

 in the shape of new silver money, to show on 

 its face the stamp " Antillas Espaftolas." The 

 commercial modm vivendi between Spain and 

 the United States relating to Cuba and Porto 

 Eico was by mutual agreement prolonged to 

 July 1, 1888. The colonial budget estimate for 

 1887-'88 fixed the revenue of the island at 

 $3,550,372, and the expenditure at $3,551,841. 

 The peninsular and foreign trade movement in 

 Porto Rico for two years was: In 1885, im- 

 ports, $11,745,022 ; exports, $14,048,639. In 

 1884, imports, $13,132,293; exports, $11,618,- 

 883. The chief articles exported during 1885 

 were: Sugar, 88,959 tons, valued at $5,782,- 

 346; coffee, 21,669 tons valued at $6,067.- 

 185; molasses, 30,646 tons, valued at $735,- 

 494; tobacco, 3.495 tons, valued at $1,139,- 

 498. The American trade with Porto Rico 

 has been as follows: 



The custom-houses of the island collected in 

 1886 a revenue of $2,087,923. There entered 

 Porto Rican ports in 1885, 1,648 vessels, with a 

 joint tonnage of 108,896, while the departures 

 were 1,544, registering together 147,125 tons. 



WEST VIRGINIA. State Government. The fol- 

 lowing were the State officers during the year: 

 Governor, E. Willis Wilson ; Secretary of State, 

 Henry S. Walker; Treasurer, William T. 

 Thompson ; Auditor, Patrick F. Duffey ; At- 

 torney-General, Alfred Caldwell ; Superintend- 

 ent of Free Schools, Benjamin S. Morgan; 

 President of the Supreme Court of Appeals 

 Okey Johnson ; Judges, Thomas C. Green, 

 Adam C. Snyder, and Samuel Woods. 



Legislative Session. The Legislature was in 

 session from January 12 to February 25. It was 

 charged with the duty of electing a successor 

 to United States Senator Johnson N. Camden, 

 but after repeated ballotings it adjourned with- 

 out a decision. Senator Camden was a candi- 

 date for re-election, but failed to command the 

 united support of his party. At a caucus on 

 January 19, attended by 38 of the 51 Democrats 

 in the Legislature, he was nominated with only 

 two dissenting votes; but in the legislative bal- 

 loting, which began on January 25, he failed to 

 secure a majority. The Republicans made no 

 nomination, but cast their 35 votes as a com- 

 pliment to various party leaders. There were 

 six Greenback-Labor members, who first voted 

 for Samuel C. Burdett, and then joined their 

 strength with the Republicans. 



The legislation of the session included a 

 general act permitting the incorporation of 

 savings-banks, an act to secure to laborers in 

 mines and manufactories the fortnightly pay- 

 ment of wages in lawful money, and an act 

 revising and consolidating the license and tax 

 laws. The last measure raises the tax-rate on 

 real and personal property for general purposes 

 from 20 to 25 cents, leaving the rate for school 

 purposes unchanged, and increases the liquor- ' 

 tax on brewers and dealers. The former now 

 pay from $50 to $550, and the latter, whether 

 wholesale or retail, $350. Dealers in domestic 

 wines, ale, and beer pay $100. Other license 

 taxes were also revised. 



Three amendments to the Constitution were 

 proposed to be voted upon by the people in 

 1888. One prohibits the manufacture and sale 

 of liquor; another strikes out the following 

 clause: " No fact tried by a jury shall be other- 

 wise re-examined than according to the rules 

 of the common law " ; the third extends the 

 regular legislative session from 45 to 60 days 

 and longer, if two thirds of each house agree 

 to such further extension. Other acts of the 

 session were as follow : 



To provide for the study of the nature and effect of 

 alcoholic drinks and narcotics in the public schools of 

 the State. 



To prevent the employment of minors under twelve 

 years that can not read and write in any factory, work- 

 shop, manufactory, or mine. 



Imposing a tax on collateral inheritances, distribu- 

 tive shares, and legacies. 



Providing for the removal of mill-dams and all 

 other dams from the lower part of the Elk and Guyan- 

 dotte rivers. 



Revising the game laws. 



To regulate the working, ventilation, and drainage 

 of coal-mines, and to provide for the appointment of 

 two mine-inspectors. 



Changing the name of the State " Institution for 

 the Deaf and Dumb and Blind" to the " West Vir- 

 ginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind." 



Eevising the election laws. 



Providing for the appointment of a State board of 

 Examiners, who shall conduct stated examinations 

 of candidates for teachers in the public schools and 

 shall grant certificates. 



The Legislature having adjourned without 

 electing a successor to Senator Camden, Hon. 

 Daniel B. Lucas was appointed by the Governor 

 on March 5 to hold office until the next meet- 

 ing of the Legislature having authority to fill 

 the vacancy. There had also been a failure at 

 this session to pass the usual appropriation 

 bills, and important measures relating to the 

 courts and to railroads had been untouched. 

 The Governor, therefore, issued a call for an 

 extra session, to meet on April 20. The Con- 

 stitution provides that at special sessions only 

 such business shall be acted upon as the Gov- 

 ernor in his proclamation shall direct. The 

 subjects for legislation as set forth by the Gov- 

 ernor included the appropriations, regulating 

 the costs in criminal cases, limiting the allow- 

 ance for maintenance of lunatics in jail, the 

 regulation of railroad traffic, the prohibition 

 of free passes to public officers or to members 



