Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-01-19
EXPLANATIONS MADE.
LEGISLATORS DERI1E THgIn PogITI0Es
ON CERTAIN QUEsrIoRs.
Proposed Investigation at the Virginia
Military lnstitute-Uncancelled So
curities in the Basemont-Con-
stitutional Convention.

NA-S ''N""'0 was Cditcu 10 oIuer yeSler'
day at noon-Lieutenant- Governor John
i. Massey in the chair No prayer.
OF the eighteen bills passed by the
House on Tuesday Six were placed on
the calendar and the remaining ones
were appropriately referred.
The Senate concurred in the House
JOINT resolution, communicated by Mr..
Ryan, fixing the hour Of 80 o'clock for
the election of Register of the Land
Oihce and certain corporation judges.
sESATE BILLS REPORTED.
To incorporate the Manteo Pleasure
Association TO Incorporate the Owl
Club, No. J, Of the city OF Norfolk to in
corporate the Norfolk Fuel and Gas
hight Company, with an amendment:
TO amend Sections 2, 3, and
9, OF an act Of March II, 1853, to es-
tablish Roanoke College ia the county Of
Roanoke for the rcliefof the surcties
Of D. j. Baldwin, late treasurer of
Iazcweu county; to tax charters in
certain cases for the relief Of j. p.
Street, OF Dinwidlie county, from the
payment q a fine extending the time
for the collection Of certain taxes and
leyies to j. Il. Rawlings, late treasurer
OF brunswick county; 10 extend the
time to Edward Major, treasurer of
Charles CITY county, for the collection
Of taxes and county leyies in his hands,
with an amendment; amending the law
providing compensation to certain States
officers 50 as to increase the salary of
the Surgeon Of the Penitcntiary.
LEAVE or ABSENCE.
Mr.. Smoot was granted leave of alb !
senco for three days, and Mr. Mills, who |
is at home sick, was granted indefinite
leave.
FIVE QUORUM.
On motion Of Mr.. Koiner, it was re-
solved that for the remainder Of the ses-
SION five members Of any committee
should constitute quorum.
PERSONAL EXPLANATIONS.
Mr.. Rhea arose and said
Mr. President,-l desire to rise to a
question Of personal privilege. ( have
lot'ced IN some of the Richmond papers,
md notably the DiDD0toh Of Yesterday
morning, that myself and other Demo
rate senators hat been ACTING with the
iepubicans upon the Elhs-HOuston
case. was not aware before
hat 1t was considered that we had been
ltinG here in partisan capacity 10 pass !
pOu that question, but rather that we
ad been sitting in judicial capacity, I
ntlrcly diyested OF political ccnsidcra-
ions. J should hate to believe that / I
mi other senator's had no higher con !
option Of our official duties than to view /
nd act upon such questions from a par
san standpoint. ! would not have
fought II necessary TO have said this
uch i my position and those who have /
ted with me and the reasons therefor c
ld been given TO the public by the press o
; fully as the position of those who have 0
liered with rs. o
But, Mr.. President. If myself and other Il
senators needed any endorse o
ent either from legal or political h
1t has been expressed much if
ore ably by the editorof the Richmond W
mig in his editorial of to-day than / Il
uld possibly hope 10 DO. l VIII now
ad the editorial land he read i0. Thus ii
will be seen thata recognized and lead
< organ of the Democratic party not su
Iv sustains our legal position, but fully
ldlcates the wisdom of our position if to
shall be considered in political light. tn
lat We have violated law and pre-
dent almost rs old as the State itself.
d have set an example which in the st
.ure can be followed by corrupt in
rty to increase It's majority at its will on
Il pleasure, and subvcrt the rights of lal
2 people to elect their own representa- ba
es Still. it can claim to be following cit
Democratic precedent. ieC
Mr. Heaton said that the newspapers raj
srly always had him wrong that one co
them had published it to the world en-
t he had as many as five new suits. of
lughter