The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-12-10
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF VIRGINIA.
FRIDAY, December 9, 1881.
SENATE.

FRIDAY, DeccnDti y, 1851
SENATE.
The Senate met at noon and was called
10 order by the President pro tenn, Gene
raj WYATT NJ. ELLIOTT. Prayer by Rev.
DIR. r. l.. Preston. Of the Presbyterian
Church.
Mr.. JAMES l.. POWELL, scnator-elect from
SpOtsylvania, appeared at the Clerks desk
and took the oath required by law, and en-
tered upon his duties.
COUNTY SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS.
The CHAIR laid before the Senate a COM
munication from the Superintendent OF
Public Instruction, in obedience 10 reso-
LUTON adopted Thursday requesting 4
statement showing the commencement and
expration OF the terms Of all the county
superintendent Of the State.
VIRGINIA REPORTS.
Mr.. LOWELL Submitted a resolution re-
queSting the Secretary OF the Common
wealth to furnish statement relative to
| Virginia Reports. Adopted.
COPIES or THE CENSUS.
I MFR. WALKER offered resolution direct
/ inc the Clerk OF the Senate to apply to the
Census Burcau at Washington for six CO.
pies of the census OF 1880. Adopted.
VOTING FOR ONES SELF.
Mr.. GLASGOW offered Il resolution prOyi-
, ding for the amendment OF the rules OF the
Senate so as to prevent a member from vO-
ting for himself "for any position what
| ever
Mr.. GLASGOW stated in Offering the rcSO-
| luton that from his reading the practice OF
voting for ones self to position for the
exercise OF important functions had not
obtained either In this country or Eng
| land that if il had been practiced in Eng
/ land he had failed to note it even in times
OF high party excitement, and that there
, was no such usage in our colonial history,
or in the history of the Senate of Virginia,
that he had noted. On the appointment Of
an important committee OF five on the day
before, four OF the five voted for the resO-
luton. thus securing its passage and them
selves on the committee. But one OF the
! five-the distinguished Senator from APP
pomattoX General ELLIOTT)-failed to vote
for himself The object OF the resolution
was to discontinue such privileges is vo-
ting for ones self.
Mr.. WILCOX: ~ desire to inquire OF
the Senator from BotetOurt (Nir. GLASGOW
whether in his late election to the Senate
ne did not vote Cor HIMSELF"
! Mr.. GLASGOW: "Several OF my friends,
concerned about the result, requested me
| to vote for myself, but | declined to do so,
telling them that ii | should gain the seat
/ by my own vote would be ashamed to take
| it, even though by secret ballot, and Voted
an open ballot without voting for a senator
at ALL"
Mr.. WILCOX: "Would an open-ballot
vote be legal one?"
! Mr.. GLASGOW: "That question ! do not
presume TO decide. left that to the COM
missioners OF election"
Some further debate followed. in the
course OF which Mr.. RTDDLEBEEGER said
the Senator from Botctourt had attached
too much importance to the action OF the
Senate in taking from the presiding officer
| the appointment OF the standing commit
tees. The Senator seemed to think that
only Readjustcrs will vote for themselves,
! but he wished TO inform him that it was no
new thing. In the national Capitol, in Che
| formation OF committees, every member
votes for the committees, and therefore
vote for themselves. He expected to vote
for the Senator from Botetourt and en-
pected that gentleman to vote for him.
He might bc placed on a committee
with the Senator, and in voting for him
would have to also vote for himself. There
was no inconsistency in this. Where there
is pecuniary interest it would be different.
| He would not vote TO incorporate a COM
pany or any enterprise OF which he would
| be an officer. nor for the incorporatorS ii
they intended 10 make him an officer. Nor
would he vote TO pay q, Z, or 3 per cent.
| on the public debt il he held State bonds.
| lie hoped the senator would withdraw his
resolution, aud leave the responsibility OF
| the formation OF the committees with the
Readjusters, where the responsibility de-
wolves, and which they are willing to ac-
cept.
Mr.. RIpDLEBERGER, continuing his re-
marks, stated that in taking from the
/ President OF the Senate the appointment
Of the standing committees no retlec-
/ ton was intended OH the fairness OF
that officer, but it was only designed
+ TO give the majority the full control
OF The Legislature, for which they would
| be responsible. lie bore ample testimony
to the eminent fairness OF the presiding
officer in the past.
/ Mr.. KOtxER stated that he considered the
action taken by the majority was 10 extra
ordinary that It was liable to be regarded
as reflection on the President OF the Sen
ate, and it was so felt; but he commended
the disclaimer Of Dir. RIDDLEBIRGEI and
sustained the past record OF General WALK
ER.
Mr.. TuUnmAs hre, in humorous vein,
said he would nave 10 vote against the pas
sage OF the resolution, but not for the rea-
sons given by MIR. RIDDLEBERGER. He was
glad to find out that his rights a. senator
were greater than he supposed. He had
Just learned that IL was liis right TO vote for
himself, and not being disposed TO surren-
der any OF his rights. ne should have to
vote against any measure tending TO cur
/ tail them.
Mr.. GLASGOW finally withdrew his reso-
luton.
PRESENTED AND REYHRRED.
BY Mr.. THURMAN: Bill providing for the