Smyrna times., 1881-02-23
Doings of the Legislature.

Doings of the Legislature
The contention over the railroad ill
almost got things in q wrangls last week
at Dover. The Delaware Western by the
victory in the Senate was on top the first
of the week and the manifestation of the
lobbyites for the p. w. d B. with their
friends in the House, was manifestly to
shake them off and if possible turn them
under. On Thursday morning Mr.. Van.
burkRlow stated that Kent county was not
represented in the committee of corpora.
tions and moved that two additional mem.
hers be made from this county. At the
instigation of the lobby (who it seems crowd
the floor and whisper to the members) this
was opposed and debated until the close of
the morning session. In the afternoon the
House was crowded in every available space
with the feeling at fever heat. Mr.. Brad
ford as the leader for the bill, offered
substitute, naming Messrs. Van Burkalow
and Graham to be added to the committee.
Speaker Williams is considered II strong
partizan of the P. w. & B. road and this was
objected to as expressing a reflection and
want of confidence in him. Mr.. Bradford
disrlaimed any such intention, and after
considerable parley the substitute was voted
and lost and the original motion adopted
without a dissenting voice. The chair ap.
pointed Messrs. Van Burkalow and Regis.
ter. The committee now stands three to
three. Petitions and remonstrances have
been going in by the thousands, the former
however preponderating. resolution was
lopted providing for a public hearing
before the House Committee on Corpora
tions Wednesday and Thursday evening OF
this week, when the pros and cons of the
railroad question will be fully read. On
Thursday four members of the Legislature
got together and agreed on a resolution
which was presented by Mr.. Cahal, express
ing the judgment of the House Of Delegate'
OF Delaware, that charter should be gran
ted the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Compa
ny to build new road through Delaware
whenever they might apply. This passel
unanimously. This it is thought settles thu
fate of the Delaware Western by that till'
and commits them to a passage of charte
to pass through the State whenever th'
Baltimore & Ohio road shall place them
selves square as the applicants.
A hill TO establish State Normal School
. and 10 appropriate $4,000 for the erection
of the necessary buildings at Newark Col
lege has been reported TO the house. |
IN 1Aa.f xyif
much favor with tine members, and it
probabe that the bill will not become la'
g this session.
The bill to fund the State debt in fou
per cent. interest paying bonds, Was repor
: ed 10 the Senate last week, and has bee
S printed. Thus far this does, not seem
;, nave been much considered by the men
: bers or the people generally for the reaso
q that the Railroad contest seems for tn
= present to swallow up every other matte
The Committee on Education have had on
" or two meetings this week 10 consider tn
y advisabilty of some changes i'll our Publ
v School Law, but have not yet come to an
conclusion as to what they will recommend
Is The local option bill has not, up to III
le present date received much considerable
from the members OF the Legislature, an
II this, like most other public matters, mu
ID remain quiet till the Delaware Western 81
10 is passed or defeated.
The House bill concerning offens'
s. against the persons Of individuals, passe
e. the Senate. The bill provides that if ar
~ person shall be lewdly and lascivioGsl
r play or toy, with any female child und'
p the age of l2 years, he shall be deem'
,e guilty of a misdemeanor and upon convi
ton thereof, shall he fined not excePdiI
i $500 and shall be imprisoned for term n
IN exceeding three years.
10 Mr.. Van Burkalow introduced and hi
read bill to incorporate the Dover RiV
nj improvement and Navigation C"mpan
it also petition for the passage Of the san
| The capital stock OF the company is limit
U to $4,000, in shares Of $40 each.
's- The Committee on Education sat doV
,,o very hard on the division OF school distric