Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-02-11
officers Of the State Of shO suspicion

/ that attaches 10 them by r6ason VI wy
use of free passes. offer my PROPOSE
ton in no censorious spirit withreference
TO nv fellows in the General Assembly
or others referred TO in the amendments,
for If they have sinned so have /. But
we must take account Of public senti'
ment and place ourselves above suspicion.
Whether the bill as it stands does
prohibit the use of free passes is q doubt
| hi question at best, and nothing can be
lost by making it clear that free passes
are prohibited. so that he that runs may
read.
Mr.. Gordon said there we're no more
astute people than railroad-men, ana
they would not cast their bread upon tue
waters as they did without expecting IL
TO return TO them. and it usually did re,
turn TO them. While the distribution oil
passes might not influence the votes OF
members. yet the offer was not without
weight. =,
MIR. Martin said q member could not
90 TO his letter-box without finding II
full of passes, aud it was very trouble.
some TO acknowledge the receipt OF
them.
Mr.. Dabney hoped that both the sub
stitute and the new section would be
voted down. He did not favor picking
out any special set of people to put
stigma upon. Mr.. Dabney said that the
bill itself absolutely and clearly forbade
the giving of preference or making OF
discrimination by railroads in favor OF
anv person. That had been construed
by the highest possible authority to for
bid the giving Of free passes to any one.
For this reason Mr.. Dabney hoped that
the amendment and the substitute would
be rejected.
Mr.. Elan had had a free pass ever
since the war. and it would be hard
ship to give his up, but he would vote
for the amendment proposed.
Mr.. Goodman Brown (colored) SAID ne
was not 50 "rotten poorthat he couldn
pay his railroad fare.
Mr.. Catlett was opposed to any changes
in the original bill.
Mr.. Starke was opposed to giving free
passes and TO tho acceptance OF them by
members Of the Legislature.
Mr. Starke wished to know II the
passes were not given for the ultimate
purpose Of influencing legislation FOL
what reason were they sent? Gratitude
was liable 10 influence a man more
quickly than any other feeling known.
The matter of individual cost to leglsla
tors should not be considered for a mo-
ment. He himself proposed to throw
aside these passes and place himself
above reproach, although he knew OF
no case in which any member OF the
LEGISLATURE had been influenced by
pass
Mr.. Pedigo said he could see no rea
son why they should not compel the
companies to do that which they now &c
voluntarily, and thereby put themselves
beyond suspicion. Somehow or othel
all of the men who were opposed to free
passes lived around Richmond. H'
favored Mr.. Sauuders's substitute.
Mir. Buford advocated the orlgina
bill, and was opposed to both the amend
ments. He took the ground that tho
bill as it stood followed the language o
the inter-Sta law, which had been con
strued TO prohibit the giving Of free
passes. That would cover the whole
subject and not hold the General Assem-
bly, up to public odium.
Mr.. Ryan stated that the object sough
TO be attained 10y the amendment OF
fered by MIR. Pollard was fully provide
for by the bill that the committee haC
spent much time and labor in preparing
the bill and he hoped oil amendment
would be voted down and the bill passeC
as It came from the committee.
Mr.. Saunders again spoke, reiteratnl
and suppiementing what he had aireac'
said about the commissioners who woul,
act under the provisions Of the bill. BIZ
insisted that if it was right to compel thu
railroad companies to transport free TN
railroad commissioners. it was right t
compel them to transport free the mem
bers of the General Assembly. 1t was
he maintained, of great benefit to th'
State for the members TO be able ire
ouentlv 10 visit their homes and consul
with their constituents. Their pay doe
not enable them to do it, but with passe
the thing is possible.
Mr.. Saunders said that he had neve
known the free-pass system TODD the mis-
chief charged against it, but his substi
tnte offered a plan by which the mem
bers conld he relieved of all suspicion o
being Influenced by the free passes whlcl
for scores Of years have been furnished
them by the transportation companies
Mr.. Cardwell said he was going L
, vote for the section offered by Mr.
Pollard to show that he had no per
sonal interest to subserve. The pee
ple all over the State imagine they ia,
grievances because they thought tn
Legislature was affected by favors fron
the railroads. He did not think ths
tickets were offered to members excep
ms a compliment to the dignity OF thel
J position. and he did not wish TO be un
derstood as casting an imputation upoI
any railroad corporation, or upon tn
forefathors vho had for years in the pas
accepted free passes. He also wished
understood that he did not favor MAXIM
the practice a misdemesnor.
MIR. Dabney again rose to favor tn
bill. and when he closed the pendin
question was called and ordered.
Mr. Saunders's amendment Was vote
on and rejected.
= Mr.. Pollards amendment was ais
lost.
The House here adjourned until Mon
day.
NO MORE FREE PASSES.
In the debate yesterday there was yer
little comment on the fact that the Stat
paws mileage to the members of th
General Assembly for coming TO and &c
ing from the Capitol, and that durin
( the session, when members visit thel
homes, their pay SALARY is continue
Just as if they were in their seats. Nc
: was much note taken of the fact that
would not be q very great hardship
take the free passes from the judges, il
, asmuch as the Commonwealth pays theI
mileage for all necessary travel. How
ever, the amendment of Mr.. Pollard ":
q voted down upon the distinct unde
standing that the bill as it came from th