Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-02-11

SUBJECT, ana IN view oil the adJuulcAuohS
of the Supreme Court Of Appeals OF
Virginia upon analogous cases, and in
view Of the fact that though the statutes
Of this State declare that the terms OF
county and city superintendcnts OF
schools shall begin on the lst day OF
January, yet the Constitution OF Vir-
ginia declares that such terms Of office
shall begin on the lst day Of July. the
committee is Of the opinion that the
resolution adopted by the Senate pro-
perly expounds the law, and they there
fore recommend the concurrence by
the House in the aforesaid resolution
Of the Senate.
The resolution went on the calendar.
RAILROAD COMMISSIONERS BILL.
The floor was resumed at IL O'Clock
by Mr.. A. Fulkerson on the railroad
coz missioneIs' bill. lie started out
by saying that one Of the morning
dailies had placed him in wrong posi-
ton as TO his connection with rail-
road company, and repeated what he
said yesterday, that no gentleman on
the floor would charge that he was in.
fluenced in what be had to say by his
former or present connection with rail-
roads that his connection with railroads
had taught him something of the relt-
tions existing between the people AID
railroads; that he was opposed to con-.
fiscating their property certainly until
our railroad system was perfected and
other necessary roads built.
lie claimed that much time had been
FILTERED away--already nine days-on
this bill in order to change a law
against which there is no complaint,
and TO elect three commissioners in
stead Of one, when the finances Of the
State are out Of joint and low.
He thought the law as it stands amply
sufficient TO protect the people. lie
defed any body TO show that one single
charge Of unjust discrimination brought
to the attention Of the present Commis
sioner had gone uncOrrected.
Mr.. Fulkerson spoke an hour and
quarter, and very ably, in opposition to
the bill IN toto.
CHANGE IN TIE HOUR FOR VOTING
on TIE RAILROAD BILL.
Mr.. Stuart offered the following:
Hcsoired. That the resolution fixing
the hour Of 1880 o'clock as the time for
taking The vote upon Ilouse-Bill No.
l4l be rescinded ; that speeches be
limited to thirty minutes each, and
that the vote be taken at $50 =. NJ.
this day, or sooner, il no member de-
siTes to speak.
MIR. Stuart said he offered the reSo-
luton in order that all who desired to
might have an opportunity to speak on
the subject. lie specified Mr.. Mum
ford and Mr.. Striblng as being particu-
larry entitled to be heard before the
vote was taken.
Mr.. Franklin moved to amend by
making the hour 1870 tomorrow to-
day for taking the vote. Lost.
Mr.. Stuart's resolution was agreed
tC-ayes, IS; noes, II.
MIR. BUCHANAN.
Mr.. buchanan said he did not belong
to any class of people who wished to
make war upon railroads or any of Viz
ginia's interests. but he considered it
his duty to attempt legislation for the
benefit Of the whole people. lie claimed
that railroads are agents Of the State,
are created by the State, and are as sub
iect to the same government and laws
and rules as we are to our Creator. He
would not support the 18th section OF
the bill because he thought it unjust,
and he believed in a milder remedy for
the rectifcation of wrongs done by the
railroads to her citizens. lie favored a
commission like Massachusetts has. lie
hoped the House would rise to the dig
nifty Of its position and pass bill
which would reflect honor upon it and
rebound to the good of the Common
wealth, and trusted that men who were
suitable and capable would be elected
to fiji positions hereunder.
DIR. WISE.
Mr.. Wise said man who comes as
delegate to this Legislature without any
knowledge Of law labors under dis
advantage but, as Nirginian and
member of the Republican party, he
was opposed to this bill. 1t would be
lust as sensible for Robinson CrusOe to
sit on his island with his parrot and his
man Friday and talk about hailng a
ship to take them off as it is for this
Legislature to sit down and talk about
capital coming into Virginia. The
sooner Virginia realizes that she is in
a state of almost total bankruptcy the
better it will be for her. lie was op.
posed to the whole bill.
The hour of . O'Clock arrived, with
Mr.. Wise still speaking, at which time
the chair was vacated until 4.
Afternoon Session.
The House was called to order at 1
O'Clock by Speaker Stuart, in the chair.
Mr.. Wise resumed the floor. lie
said he had nearly finished his remarks
when the House adjourned at 2 o'clock.
lie claimed Virginia is too poor to dis
criminate against railroads, and if the
people Of the State can't build them we
can't afford to keep out northern
or foreigrl capital. lie disapproyed
Of electing three commissioners, as
provided under the bill proposed,
for the reason that it is unneces-
sary. "If the present Railroad Com
missioner is derelct in his duty in any
respect find it out and deal with him as
is proper. There is no use shutting
your eyes to the fact and now | am
talking to the Republicans of this
House-that we can't afford to let this
measure pass. 1t is placing your wea-
pons in the hands Of your enemies"
Mr.. Stuart next rose, and said he
was surprised at the remarks Of Mr..
Wise. lie remarked that about four
years ago, while in the very seat he enow
occupied, he saw the party then dOmi-
nant trying TO pass similar measure
to the one now proposed, and he could
not understand why bis (Mr. Wise's)
party had so altered their views.
" What change has come over the spirit
Of their dreams:" He took the ground
that unjust discrimination amounted to
stealing. If a railroad charges eighty
captS for carryinc a ton 0f puano nr