Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-01-06
A TALKING SESSION.
LEeIsLATURg HAVING LITTLE TO DO
IEDULeES IN MUCH oRAToRY,
Probability that More Latitude will bs Al
lowed speceh-Msksrs This Session
than for Years Past.

lowed specch-Msksrs This Session
than for Years Past.
The signs are that this Wilt ga talk
ing session." There is very little busi-
ness to do, and hence n latitude in dis
cussion hes been and probably will be
allowed which would be impossible were
the committees and calendars crowded
with bills and resolutions Of great impor-
tance.
FOR several years past legislative elo-
quencc has been restrained and restrict
ed by public measures of such serious
character and Of such great numbers that
within the prescribed limits of the ses-
SION only the hrieiest sort OF speeches
could be permitted. All the rest of the
time was needed in caucuses, in commit
tees, and In the necessary formalities in
cideDt TO the business OF the two houses.
Now, ii the two houses arc to stay here
as long as they are entitled to, each
orator who wishes to be heard can pretty
surely secure the opportunity.
MAKING Up TIVE RECORD.
The Republicans have more members
in this Legislature than In the last, and
they are better organized. In the House
Mr.. Waddill Is their spokesman, but Mr..
Elam is leading the party on many ques-
tions. in the Senate Mr.. Hubbard, OF
Buckingham, seems TO be the leader.
The Republicans have introduced a
great number of bllsa and resolutions that
seem 10 the outsider to be intended to
make up the record for the next cam
paign when State issues can avail.
LABOR on ROADS
Day before yesterday the Republicans
in the House forced n discussion on the
road law, and after long debate Mr..
Elam's bill was recommitted.
When it is reported there will be still
another discussion.
The Republicans are in favor Of abol-
ishing all compulsory labor on public
roads. A number Of Democrats are pre-
pared to take the same posihOn-in fact,
on Wednesday several said 80, out and
out.
CONVICT LABOR.
Yesterday the Republicans got up a
debate on convict labor. From it no
body ever would have supposed that the
contracts in force at this moment at the
penitentiary could not have been III
force but for a renewal of the leases
granted by Governor Cameron. True
they were talking about convicts on rail
roads Yesterday. but it is equally true
that the contract with the South Atlantic
and Ohio railroad, which Is working
about 170 prisoners, was also put into
force hy Governor Cameron.
Doubtless Governor Cameron only
discharged his duty, hut surely the
Democrats are not answerable for any of
bis acts. Now Mr.. Waddiu aims to
amend the law as to future contracts so
as TO charge the railroads eighty cents
per day; in other words, to make 1t I'M
possible that the railroads shall prefer
convict labor to free labor.
RECOSnnTTED.
Mr.. Ficgat, with great ability. yester-
day pointed ont that Mr.. Waddill, If he
wished 10 fix the price at eighty cents,
had not put the amendment IN the right
place 80 the bill, which in its original
form was aimed at curing defect III the
law. and was intended TO admit cities,
Incorporated towns, and county town
ships to footing with counties, was, on
motion of Mr.. Dabney, committed to
new Counties, Cities, and
Towns
At the first vote Mr.. Dabney was de-
fcafed IN this move. but he secured re-
consideration, pressed this point with
great ability, and succeeded III hls OBJ
Ject.
GREAT SOUTHERN RAILWAY.
The House Committee on Roads and
Internal Navigation Mr.. Dabney, OF
Albemarle, chairman held three meet
irgs before the Christmas recess and an
other last night to consider " a bill to IN
corporate the Great Southern Railway
Company" which proposes to build n
railroad from Norfolk 10 the town OF
Bristol. The bill was introduced by Mr..
Starke Of Norfolk, and the corpora
tors named in it are John Neeiy,
II. l.. Turner. Edward MaboDy. j. +.
Crocker VI. c. Henry. Benjamin Will
liams. William Rankin. A. Mills, NJ. q.
Holt. w. II. Urquhart, j. VI. Vernon,
C. +. Woodward, Albert Jetfress,
Charles s. Van Loon, II. E. Townsend,
Peter Saunders. b. ". j.. Holt, John
+ W. Lawson, IRA b. Coltraine, Paul Won
Radowitz. John W. Rely, w. W.
Averill, and j. :. Morris.
The corDorators were represented be-
+ fore the committee last night by Mr.. j.
NJ. Vernon, an Enghshman now residing
in New York. who gave the commit
tee his positive assurance that If a
/ favorable charter were granted the road
would be buit. Mr.. Lcftwich OF Abing-
don. DR.. NJ O. Holt Of Surry, and Colo
mel b. ". J.. Holt Of Mecklenburg, were
also present in the same interest.
There was a great discussion over some
of the details Of the bill, and one or
more amendments were adopted by the
committee. to which the corporators
rather objected, and it was then ordered
that the measure be reported to the
House.
rxAMINING TIE REGISTER OF THE LAND
OFFICE.
The special Joint legislative committee
comnostd of Senators Jones and Loven-
stein and Delegates Crismond, LOVING
aud Morton appointed to examine the
workings and general conduct OF the
Register OF the Land Office met yester-
day afternoon and performed that duty.
( They visited the office, looked over Its
books and papers, questioned the Of
ficials. and then adjourned to meet this
afternoon, when report will be pre-
pared.
rpISCoPAT. CHURCU-wORK.
General Meeting 10 be Held AT ST.
YauI's Tonight.