Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va) 1886-1890, 1890-01-19
LEGISLATIVE.
THE TIMES REPORTER INTER
VIEWS A LEGISLATOR.
some OF HON. JOHN WOODS VIEWS.
Bills Introduced for the Benefit OF
This Section The Sinte Debt The
RniIrond BiII-ln Regard 10 Insoi.
vent Observation-Disclosures OF Judges.

Hon John Woods, member of the
house of delegates for Roanoke and
Craig counties. aud for this city, was
here yesterday conversing with his
many friends. He was seen yester-
day evening by IL TIMES reporter, and
talked very pleasantly for half an
hour or more about men and matters
ut the State capitol.
Mr.. Woods is member of the
house committee OH schools and col
legas, which. along with the senate
committee on public institutions and
education, passed through the city
Friday EN- route to Blacksburg and
other points in Southwest Virginia.
He stopped here to see his constitu-
ents and attend to some private bust
ness, and left for Richmond this morn
ing on the 1910 Norfolk and Western
train. He is looking well and hearty,
and is alert and vigorous in all that
pertains TO the interests of this state,
and this section in particular
He said he had introduced some
nine or ten bills for the benefit of this
city and section since the meeting of
the legislature, among them the fol.
lowing: One TO amend the charter OF
the Roanok. Street railway: one to
incorporate the City Street Railway
company; one TO amend the charter OF
the Rorer Mining company, an act to
lease their line, which extends on
paper to North Carolina. to the Roa
noke and Southern Railroad COM
pany; one to appoint three as essors
for the city of Roanoke, and one to
amen, the charter of this city, in
creaslng It's limits, etc.
In regard to I.Ie state debt VIZ:
Woods thought the Legislature would
follow the advice Of uovernpr hic
Kinney and adhere TO the Riddleber-
ger settlement, for the reason that
the finances of the state We're not IN a
condition to allow any other. He said
he did not think much would be done
in regard to immigration, but there
would be considerable legislation IN
regard to railroads. 4 bill had already
been introduced to appoint Il railroad
commission of three persons, with the
right not only to regulate freight and
passenger rates, but also TO fix these
rates. Besides this the bill requires
that the salaries of the three COM
missioners and their two clerks shall
be paid by the railroad companies.
The salaries. of the COMMISSIONERS
will he $1,000 per annum each and
81. 500 IL year each for the clerks. 1t
also provides that one Of the commits
sloners shall be Il lawyer one farmer
and one u railroad man.
Mr.. Woods was o! the opinion that
Colonel Whitehead would be re-
elected commissioner of agriculture,
notwithstanding the fact shat there
was considerable opposition to him.
Another important bill before the
legislature is to prevent lnsolvent
debtors from making assignments TO
preferred creditors. Mr. Woods said
although the bill would make a radi-
cal change in the present law, he was
in favor of its passage, but the ques
ton should be carefully considered IN
all it, bearings.
a bill to increase the salaries of cir
cult judges had also been introduced
in the legislature. For his part Mr..
Woods said he was in favor OF increas-
ing the Jurisdiction of the county
Judges and of enlarging the circuits, so
as 70 lessen the number OF judges,
thereby iessening the cost to the state
and giving litigants a mucn more
speedy remedy at law. He said Sena
tor johnson, Of Montgomery county,
is doing good work for this district,
and is very popular. He has already
introduced quite number OF bills:
Lieutenant Governor j. Hoge Tyler,
Mr.. Woods said, is winning golden
opinions as presiding officer, and is
onr of The most popular men at the
capitol.
Governor Mckinney is making a
model governor, and the officers OF the
state and members OF the legislature,
as tar as he can see, are thoroughly
in earnest in their efforts to advance
the interests Of the commonwealth
and the communities they represent.