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.
Thanks. I have been to where the legislature met in April 1861, a tavern in Frederick, Maryland. It was my understanding then that there were troops on hand.
Lived through that and totally forgot about it!
SHEEESH!!!
You are right, that the September 1861 meeting was the one in Frederick.
Forgot about what?
Forgot about what?
Ike citing GW to send troops to AK.
Yes, the civil rights angle aside, Ike was furious that the Arkansas Governor was using state troops to defy the federal government.
Orvill Faubus (sp?) standing in the schoolhouse door with helmeted guard on either side. I still can't believe I forgot about that. }:^P
Pinging the First Corps. They're at it again.
Ping.........
Which doesn't cancel the Constitution, but instead calls for corrective action by a later Congress, which should deprive West Virginia of its seat in the Union and reunite it with the Richmond government.
Break out those old 49-star flags, and put away the 50-star flags until Puerto Rico changes its mind.
No, it isn't. By their own theory, Virginia was still part of the Union, and Virginia did not give her consent to partition. Ergo the partition of Virginia was flatly unconstitutional, then and now.
Nothing to the contrary whatsoever withstanding.
Lincoln was a military tyrant, and used the Constitution as a doormat.
Don't be so sure of that.
As for being a Federalist, so too was Bobby Lee.
Until Abe dumped on the Constitution by proclaiming insurrection on his own sayso, and inviting the Northern partisans to sign up for a little getting-even at South Carolina's expense.
That's when Virginia left the Union, and Bobby Lee went with her.
See post #17. As accepted by Congress, the President, and the Supreme Court, West Virginia received authorization for its formation from the legitimate government of Virginia, headed by Governor Francis H. Pierpont, who remained as Governor of Virginia until 1868.
It's already "President's Day" here in Illinois -- the Land of Lincoln.
< Unfortunately, I'll go to my grave as "...that feller from New York City" instead of as a Mountaineer >
Round these here parts that's a step up from "durned ferner".
Welcome, new hillbilly.
I'm West "by God" Virginia, born and raised and will die a Mountaineer.
free dixie,sw
The Supreme Court recognized the constitutionality of the existence of West Virginia when it agreed to hear the case of Virginia v West Virginia in 1871.
You contradict yourself, in post 51 you say that Virginia was part of the Union and in post 53 you state that Virginia left the Union.
It's possible that a later Virginia legislature officially endorsed the separation of West Virginia (as if they had any choice by then). Lincoln may have treated the rump VA legislature as legally entitled to act for the state, but I don't think Congress treated it as a valid state government in other respects. Economically, Virginia is probably better off without its lost counties.
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