Posted on 09/10/2005 4:46:12 AM PDT by Colonel Kangaroo
Lincoln holiday on its way out
By Phil Kabler Staff writer
A bill to combine state holidays for Washington and Lincoln’s birthdays into a single Presidents’ Day holiday cleared its first legislative committee Wednesday, over objections from Senate Republicans who said it besmirches Abraham Lincoln’s role in helping establish West Virginia as a state.
Senate Government Organization Committee members rejected several attempts to retain Lincoln’s birthday as a state holiday.
State Sen. Russ Weeks, R-Raleigh, introduced an amendment to instead eliminate Columbus Day as a paid state holiday. “Columbus didn’t have anything to do with making West Virginia a state,” he said. “If we have to cut one, let’s cut Christopher Columbus.”
Jim Pitrolo, legislative director for Gov. Joe Manchin, said the proposed merger of the two holidays would bring West Virginia in line with federal holidays, and would effectively save $4.6 million a year — the cost of one day’s pay to state workers.
Government Organization Chairman Ed Bowman, D-Hancock, said the overall savings would be even greater, since by law, county and municipal governments must give their employees the same paid holidays as state government.
“To the taxpayers, the savings will be even larger,” he said.
The bill technically trades the February holiday for a new holiday on the Friday after Thanksgiving. For years, though, governors have given state employees that day off with pay by proclamation.
Sen. Sarah Minear, R-Tucker, who also objected to eliminating Lincoln’s birthday as a holiday, argued that it was misleading to suggest that eliminating the holiday will save the state money.
“It’s not going to save the state a dime,” said Minear, who said she isn’t giving up on retaining the Lincoln holiday.
Committee members also rejected an amendment by Sen. Steve Harrison, R-Kanawha, to recognize the Friday after Thanksgiving as “Lincoln Day.”
“I do believe President Lincoln has a special place in the history of West Virginia,” he said.
Sen. Randy White, D-Webster, said he believed that would create confusion.
“It’s confusing to me,” he said.
Senate Judiciary Chairman Jeff Kessler, D-Marshall, suggested that the state could recognize Lincoln’s proclamation creating West Virginia as part of the June 20 state holiday observance for the state’s birthday.
Proponents of the measure to eliminate a state holiday contend that the numerous paid holidays - as many as 14 in election years — contribute to inefficiencies in state government.
To contact staff writer Phil Kabler, use e-mail or call 348-1220.
I post 'utter nonsense' in response to comments made by you too ridiculous for any other reply.
The state of Virginia was in no position to dictate terms. They accepted the Constitution as ratified and that document has no provisions for states to resume powers granted to the federal government, regardless of their ratification document.
When two parties agree on something and exchange correspondence in relation to a contract, one party or both will state in writing what they agree to. Virginia did that. Since the Feds didn't object, silence is construed as acceptance under the law.
You can slice it anyway you want, but it you can't disprove it.
Nonsense. The only question before Virginia was ratification of the Constitution. Nobody accepted the Virginia Ratification, they accepted the Constitution. And the Constitution does not allow for the states to resume powers granted to Congress.
Was South Carolina a state in 1860? If so, the Constitution did not allow them to form a Confederation, raise an army, etc. There was no secession clause in the Constitution negating the prohibitions.
I think that the perpetual union spoken of in the Articles of Confederation is also pertinent. If the earlier document was meant to be perpetual, the succeeding document where the people wished to make the union more perfect was also meant to be perpetual.
The states never had an autonomous sovereignty apart from the United States. They started as colonies of England and only became separated from this dependency under the United States in the body of the Continental Congress. The Union not only predated the Constitution but also predated the transformation of colonies into states.
Nonsense. Cite the specific clause please.
Well, we will just have to disagree. Do you seriously believe the people of Virginia took the time to write such a document if they thought it wouldn't be taken seriously. They were ratifying the Constitution with conditions.
Besides working on capitalization, you really need to place some effort on the right terms here.
Now, repeat after me; 'The American Civil War, started by hysterical, pro-slavery Southern politicians, ended in 1865.'
Okay, okay, I realize this is tough, but you're doing fine, just stick with it kid, here we go, repeat; 'I Mr. Stand, hence forth, will refrain from making derogatory comments, directed against Americans, simply for not belonging to the neo-confederate crud club'
Nonsense Walt. The states declared their independence separately, with a common membership in a federal congress. Most had their own armies, nine states had navies of some kind, most had their own monies, conducted diplomatic relations with other nations/states. Each wrote it's own constitution - no Union government wrote it for them.
If India had declared independece the same day as SC, that would not unite them, nor make them members of the same union. Each state ratified for itself, no one could ratify for them. Your assertion is sophistry.
Again; once South Carolina had passed an ordinance of secession, they no longer were under the Constitution, hence they could not violate it. The people are the clue here. They decided to enter the Union, they decided to leave it. Both were done thru elected reps, in a legislative manner. I don't believe that any state or colony ever intended the Union to be "perpetual"
4CJ, I agree with you, but don't think Colonel is "WLAT"....he debates in a respectful manner. WLAT never did that.....
Circa 1750.
Now you're just lying.
The History Channel did a one-hour documentary on the Dahlgren papers in an episode of History's Misteries and all involved concluded that the papers were genuine and the orders to assasinate Davis and cabinet eminated from the White House.
By Grand Old Partisan Logic, watching the History Channel is a waste of time. The HIstory channel ignores logic and makes things up as they go along, whatever it takes to advance the History Channel's hate-USA agenda.
PLEASE explain to this "ignorant southern boy" what YOUR understanding of the TENTH AMENDMENT to the BOR is. (you might post the 10th, for all to read too.)
free dixie,sw
are you REALLY that STUPID to believe something so OBVIOUSLY UNTRUTHFUL & SIMPLISTIC????
you really should go post your IGNORANT, south-HATING bilge on DU, where you so obviously belong.
free dixie,sw
circa 1860
but we southrons are REALLY pleased that you are on the DY team. it makes ALL of them look STUPID, ignorant (and possibly racist), as they have NOT publicly & LOUDLY repudiated you & your rants.
EVERY one of your DUMB-bunny posts ADVANCES the Southron LIBERTY cause!
free dixie,sw
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