Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-02-14

RcSOfrc0. That the SeOate hereby
expresses it's profound sorrow at the
death of Ex-Governor Robertson and re-
specially tenders its sympathy to his
family in their bereavement
ResoUcd. That these resolutions he
spread upon the Journal Of the Senate
and be- communicated to the Governor
with tine request that he impart them to
the family of the deceased as q fur
Their mark Of respect that the Senate do
now adjourn
The Senate was declared adjourned
until to-day.
HauSe of Delegates.
The House met at noon-Spcaker
Carlweil in the chair. No prayer.
SESSIONS AND HOURS.
At the beginning of the morning ses-
sion several resolutions were offered 20
regulate the working hours Of the
House. Much discussion followed and
many amendments were offered.
The following. offered by Mr.. Waddrll,
was finally adopted:
Heso'ccd. That the chair he vacated
this day at p. NJ. aud resumed at p.
NJ, and that hereafter, except Saturdays,
the House meet at II and the chair be
vacated at and resumed at 1, and that
during the evening sessions the Clerk
shall call the roll of members alphabet
callv. and each member rs his name is
reached shall be allowed to call up bill.
Bills, &C., INTRODUCED AND REFERRED.
BY Mr.. Dabnev: To amend sections
1910 and 1912 OF the Code, in relation to
railroads.
By Mr.. Roane: To authorize the pur-
chase for the State of the portrait of
Augusta Warner, one OF the Speakers Of
the House Of Burgesses OF the Colony OF
Virginia.
The portrait is now the property of
Fielding l.. Taylor of Gloucester county,
and he is willing to sell it. The bill
calls for the appropriation of not more
than 500.
BY Mr. Saunders, Of Franklin: Giving
p. D. Divers, late treasurer of Franklin
county, and his deputies the power to
levy and distress TO collect certain I'M
collected tax-tickets now in his hands.
BY Mr.. Silver by request; To extend
the corporate limits Of the city of Win
chester
BY Mr.. Echols For the relief of the
estate of James Z. Patterson, deceased.
BY Mr.. Counts: To incorporate the
town of Estillyille, in Scott county.
BY Mr.. FiPgat: To amend the Code
IN relation to the deposits of foreign in
surance companies.
BY Mr. Allensworth To refund to J.
b. Lightfoot taxes paid by him impro-
perly assessed in the county Of Caro-
line.
INTRODUCED AND PUT on THE CALENDAR.
Bv Mr.. Tinsley 70 authorize the loan
of muskets to the Lofty-Retreat Male
Academy.
by Mr.. Martin: To incorporate the
Commercial Club Of Berkley, in Norfolk
county.
LUMBER.
Mr. Brown, of NansemOnd, offered a
resolution instructing our Senators and
requesting our Representatives in Con-
gress to resist any reduction in the tax
on lumber
The resolution was placed on the cal
endar.
SOLDIERS.
Mr. Anderson, of Rockbridge moved
that the bill providing for pensioning
manned soldiers and widows of soldiers
killed be taken up and made tue special
order FOR Thursday at noon.
Agreed 20.
Mr. Anderson also offered a substitute.
which embraces the original bill, with
certain safeguards and provisions, to
prevent unworthy persons drawing the
money.
The substitute was ordered to be
printed.
STATE COMMERCE BILL.
The bill to regulate commerce in the
State came mp on It's engrossment.
Mr. Hay offered an amendment which
provided that the salaries Of the commits
sion shall be paid by the State instead Of
the railroads.
Mr. Hay, in advocating his amend
ment, said that he offered it solely IN the
interest of the bill, and that in justiica-
ton of himself the bill originally intro
duced by him contained the provision
which was embodied in the amendment
now offered, and the same provision was
in the bill prepared by the Farmers AS
sembly. In his opinion the bill was
open to the objection of uDcOnstitution-
ality, and if it passed in its present shape
might and probably would be declared
unconstitutional, in which event the
whole scheme would fail to the ground
You would have no commission, and
your work here would be futile His
friend from Albemarle MIR Dabney)
cites a case decided by the Supreme Court
of South Carolina, but, in his (Mr.
Hays judgment, that case does not sus-
tain the principle contended for In
brief, it decides that any company ac-
cepting charter since the passage OF
the act creating a commission can be
made TO bear its ratable share OF its ex-
pense, but that decision does not apply
to any company whose charter was grant
eli before the passage Of the act The
bill, he insisted, is open to another OBJ
lection in this respect; that while II pro-
vides for the regulation of railroads,
water lines, express companies, and the
Pullman-Car Company, yet it only pro-
vides that the railroads shall bear this
expense. That this is unjust and uncon-
stitutional must be evident.
Mr.. Buford thought that Mr.. Hays
amendment weakened the effect of the
bill and would take one of the most i'm
portant features out of it. As the bill
stood it was fair to the railroads and
they would probably be satisfied with it.
He said it was not true that the bill
would fall through ii this provision of it
were declared unconstitutional. The
only effect would be to throw the cost
upon the public treasury; but the ex-
penses of the commission are to be paid
by q warrant upon the Treasury and
then the Auditor is to apportion the tax
on the railroads. Understanding that
Mr.. Hay would follow his motion with a
motion TO lower the pay of the COM
missioners Mr.. Buford vigorously pro-
tested against it, declaring that unless
the State pays these commissioners good
salaries it cant get good men without
good and competent men the law cannot
Ia en- ftofa NJ M 10 avaonta1