Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1892-03-04
Legislative Summary


IN the Senate bull for the protection of
human life on railroads. It was present
ed at the request of the Brotherhood of
Locomotive Engneers and the Order OF
Railway Conductors. The measure de-
scribes how the Crew of different trains
shall be compo'sed, and requires certain
number OF years of experience in railroad
ing for persons who occupy the responsible
position, on trains. A heavy fine is pro
vided cor the violation of the act. The bill
Will be opposed by representatives OF
RAJ road companies.
Mr.. Noen, of Patrick introduced
| Joint resolution proposing amendments
/ TO section of article 3. section article
3 and section | and of article of the
constitution of Virginia. The resolution
provides for following changes: The gem
eral assembly shall be allowed to exclude
such persons from voting as they may
think proper The term of office of the
members of the general assembly IS
changed from two to four years. The
time of the superintendent of the poor to
enter upon the duties of his office is
changed from July 1st to the first Monday
In December and the term of the county
and circuit cOurt clerks is reduced from
six to four years. The term of the dis
trict officers is extended from two to four
wears and the time when the supervisors
shall enter upon the duties of office is
changed from July LIST to September LIST.
III the Senate, Friday, Mr.. Wlckham,
! from the committee on finance, reported
JOINT resolutions with regard to the one
third of the debt assigned TO West Viz
! f,t 10 far n
appoinement of commission of five to
confer with the West Virginia authorities
on this subject. The five members are 10
be the Speaker of the House, the chair
man of the finance committees of the two
houses and one from each house, to he
chosen by the same. 1t is proposed, the
resolutions say, upon the part OF holders
of s., 500, 900 Of West Virginia certificates
to formally acquit Virginia of all re-
spOnsibillty in relation to them aud to
fully indemnify this State against any
responsibility arising out of or in any way
connected with the balance of said GER
! tifcates, estimated 10 be about 100000,
exclusive of holdings of the State, COM
pated at So, 900 600. Touching the author
| ty Of the commission, the resolution cites
"Failing in such time as the commission
ers may deem reasonable to effect such
satisfactory settlement with West Vlr-
gina or the certificates aforesaid, they
are directed and empowered to have in
stituted All prosecuted iL the Supreme
Court of the United States in the name OF
the State of Virginia against West Vir-
ginia such proceedings as may be neces-
sary in that behalf" If additional au-
thority oil power is desired to do the things
required of 1t the commission may ask
the General Assembly for tho same from
time to time.
Mr.. Wlckham, who is member OF the
committee that reported the resolutions,
asked that the rnles might be suspended
that it might come before the body. i his
was opposed by Mr.. Harrison. who said
it looked to him very much like move
ment in the interest of Wall Street
brokers. Some of these certificates, the
Senator said, bad been bought at five
cents on the dollar. He did not think
Virginia had been so prompt in meeting
her own obligations that she could afford
to be placed in the position of suitor
against West Virginia in the matter.
The House adopted a resolution provd-
ing for TIE appointment of a committee
of three Senators and five Delegates to
report to the next session of the General
Assembly the real and assessed value of
the mineral lands of the State in order
that the same may lie assessed as taxed
according to their real value.
The Senate met Monday at II o'clock,
and more than an bOur was occupied in
discussing the resolution adopted by the
House on Saturday, to continue the ses
sion until Friday next. There was con-
siderable objection to it, but the TesOlu-
ton was finally concurred in. No bust
ness will he considered after Wednesday.
The sessions on Thursday and Friday
will be merely formal, in order to give
the clerk and Governor time to complete
their work
The Senate Monday, after discussing,
adopted the report of the committee on
public institutions in the case of Hon. } no.
- Hf~---s-s ~--~-intan6Ant Of nnblic in
strnctions. Mr.. Flood, who preferred the
charges against Mr.. Massey denied the
lattcr's statement published yesterday
over his signature that the committees
report INDICATED him. During the debate
Mr. LovenstciD, the chairman of the COM
mittee, Who wrote the report. said that
he did not consider it a vndicatiOn of Mr.
Massey. Mr.. Tye., a member of the
same committee, said he 4 id not consider
it a vindication or condemnation. It's
conclusions were based upon the testi
mOny adduced before the committee.
The Legislature completed the work of
the session Wednesday night The ap.
preparation for Virginia's exhibit at the
Worlds Fair was fixed at $500.