Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-12-20
which is destroying the health Of so many
IT HAD prrS sroNrp.

IT HAD BRRS SIGNED.
The discussion came 10 rather sudden
closo at this point. Mr.. Folkes, chairman
OF the Committee on Enrolled Bills. came
IN and stated that the Governor bad Just
signed the bill.
The resolution was therefore passed by.
~ rs understood that bill will at once be
introduced looking TO the repeal of this
SShartcr, and the fight over IL will be a
lively one.
ELECTION OF JUDGE.
At o'clock the Senate proceeded to the
JOINT ordor-the election OF a county Judge
for Appomattox. Mr.. Jones, OF Highland,
nominated y. A. Christian. The roll was
called, and Dir. Christian was elected.
THE COMMISSIONER.
Dir. Berry called for the special order of
the dav--the motion 10 reconsider the vote
10y which the Senate passed House bill
amending the Code in relation 90 tho olec-
ton OF Commissioner Of Agriculture. This
IS the bill which gives the Legislature the
right 20 elect this officer. instead OF his
beng appointed as provided by the new
Code
MIR. Berry asked to have read the amend
mcut placed on the bill by the Senate re-
quirine that the incumbent of this Office
shall DO a practical farmer. When the
amendment had been racd he pro-
cecded 20 say that such an amendment
tended 10 put q restraint and limitation
upon the power Of the General Assembly
for the reason that the requirement would
prevent a man from fulfilling the duties
OF the Office for more than one term.
SOME PLAIN WORDS.
Mr.. Harrison did not 50 understand the
amendment. The idea of the amendment,
in his opinion, was that the man elected 20
tho Office must be practical farmer at the
time Of his election, If. then he did not
fOrsake his Identification with practical
farming If he still owned and conducted
his farm. though he might fiji an cleo
tive Office in Eichmoud-he was still
eligible for reelection. Mr.. Harrison said
he had no axe 20 grind; he did not care
who was elected to the Office of Commits
sioner. but he wished 10 have the same test
required of the Commissioner "a isrequred
OF the members of the Board of Agncul~
ture.
The amendment. he continued, had been
carried with practical unanimity the other
day. Since that be knew members Of the
Senate had been besieged with solicitations
from candidate for this position. He had
10 candidate whose interests he sought 70
advance and sought 10 defeat none. His
people furnished Democratic votes but no
candidates. What they wanted was to
know what became Of the money raised by
taxation on their property Last session
$4,000 year was levied on the property of
the people and the farmers Of his section 10
pay the expense Of the Board Of Agri-
culture. He commented on the unfair
ness Of the rate of assessment. Winches-
ter with 5000 population and a modest IN
vcstment IN business enterprises was as
sesscd IN the aggregate on real estate more
than Roanoke with 1900 population ana =
boom in many varied enterprises On per
sOnll property Winchester doubled kOa-
uoke. The unfairncss Of assessment oDthc
farming lands of the Valley as compared
with other sections of the State could be
made equally apparent. Mr.. Harrison ead
his people wore interested more in the ap-
plication of their money 10 the ends
sought than in the titles under which
a claim sailed. Re found that under
II former administration, in round num-
bers, $40 600 was devoted to salaries Of the
different officers of the Commissioner Of
Agriculture. Under the present admins
tratiOn he found the Commissioner o.
Agriculture had his salary increased $500 a
ycar-nOt by any act Of the Legislature,
but by grace Of the Board of Agriculture
that his son was employed at u sal
airy of $500; and that. where the law
fixed a salary of 5000. his clerk. who was
his nephew, received sY01 5000 by law
and $500 by grace OF the Board of Agrlcul-
turc. The chemist under a former adj
miuistration received $1,000; under the
present. : 500. with an assistant AT 5000
aud special fees amounting TO $500 more.
lie desired simply that moneys applied
should find thcTway outside oi the oihoes
In the Capitol at Richmond. The COnstltu-
encv be represented had borne the brunt
of the war and in peace had been true 20
every principle.
Speaking of the immigration movement
Mr.. Harrison said that a farmer bad
- pay fee in order TO got hll
farm registered for sale, and he had
topay agents OF the board a commission
whom the farm is sold The Board Of Ag-
riculture were supposed to do al they
could 10 secure immigration, but the
farmers at large did not receive the benefit
10 which they wore entitled, for only the
farms were shown 10 immigrants which
had been listed.
MIR. Stubs averred that Mr.. Harrison in
AZ ackinr he Board of Agriculture spoke
against the very men he claimed to de-
practical farmers.
Alr. Ilcaton moved 10 pass by the subject
until the Sth of January. lie wanted time
10 look into the matter. Lost-ayes, II ;
noes. -.
A vote wa then taken on the pending
quest ION. "a IfttNl 7lf4fl AhI4A VI ttl' NVAf -
which the bill was passed. The Senate
agreed to recOnsider-aycs II; noes, 9.
The Senate then adjourned and the bill
will come up to-day on the amendment.
House of Delegates.
Speaker Cardwell called tho House 70 or
der at y o'clock and Rev Dr. Far. %
Grace-Stroet Presbyterian church, led III
prayer.
THU AMERICAN TOBACCO COMPANY.
Mr.. Flood offered the following:
Ecs3 red the Senate cOncurring), That
the Keeper of Rolls he authorized and re
Quired TO withhold Senate Bill -, entitled
an act to incorporate The American To-
hacco Company This ID Major Ginters
Company
In support Of his resolution Mr.. Flood
said the object Of his resolution wls to de-
feat tho bill. Tho manner IN which It was
pushed through the House on Wednesday
was very Objectionable. he thought. A
large number of members were absent at
the time and had no chance t. vote on me
proposition. 10 had been smd that the bill
was entirely d local measure, but he dc-
clared 10 would affect the whole state and
every grower Of tobacco. II would create
"a monopoly and allow the company to
regulate the price Of tobacco. Mr.. Flood r.
iterated that the measure was gigantic
monopoly. such as the Legislature should
try TO prohibit.
Mr.. Curtis declared the measure was
carefully considered by the committee OF
toe Senate which recommended II 10 pass,
and il was adopted by that branch. The
corpofators, Mr.. Curtis sand, were worthy
and honorable men and would not ask Oh
the Legislature anything that il unjust.
Mr. Downing thought the course taken
bv MIR. Flood 10 defeat the bill very dan
perous one, and if the resolution was
adopted it would be bad precedent. A
small number of members might, acting III
the same way, repeal a bill which was
paesed by q constitutional vote.
Mr. Ryan said the bill had been passed
bv both houses and should now 90 TO the
Governor Tor his signature or veto.
lie thought the proposed proceeding
both doubtful aud dangerous. II It was
designed to kill the bin the proper way
would bc 10 introduce new one 70 repeal
this one after it was signed by the Cover
nor.
Mr.. Saunders thought the chief objection
10 the measure is that the company -
gwen q vested right for hity years. In all
chat period the Leg stature cannot repeal,
modify. or alter the bill. ii had been
stated that the bill was purely local one.
but upon close examination 1t has been
found that the powers granted are yery, cx-
l. afaa.m