The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-01-13

The Senate Committee Discussed the Bill and
VIII Report favorably.

VIII Report favOrably.
The Senate Committed on Roads and In
ternal Navigation met At the Exchange Hotel
last evening 20 consider the Norfolk Ferry bill
which "a few daysagO was passed by the House
of Delegates. Senator barnes. the chairman
of the committee. stated that the ferry bill
had been mace the special order Of the even
ing and that all parties interested had been
invited o. submit their views on the measure
The chair announced that he lad received
telegram from Captain Happer. of Ports
mouth. asking that the cOnsldera-
tion of the bin be POSTPONED for
one week. Senator Lawless. of Portsmouth.
asked for q postponement until Captain Hap
per the CITY attorney and Mr. Gill. tile lessee
of tie ferry. could be present. Mr.. W. A.
Fentress member of the House from Ports
mouth Joined IN the request OF Senator Law
less Mr. H. W. Mailet from Norfolk the
patron of the bill. spoke against - postpone
ment thinking that such request WAS un-
reasonable. luasmuch IS the same request
had been made at various times. Colonel
Marshall the Commonwealth attorney Of
tho county Of Norfolk. stated that he
had but once asked for pO,tponement.
motion of Senator Berry to postpone
the consideration Of the BIZ until the next
meeting. was lost aud tho bill was read by
Clerk Martin. The time 20 present the case
was on Senator blackstone notion limited
to three quarters of an hour for each side.
Mr.. Nalet opened the case and explained
no some lencth why Ire asked the committee
tOleport the Mil fayOrably. He described
tie financial condition of the present ferry,
which represented perhaps. SyOJ.O00 worth
OF accumulated capital. lie went over tie
whole ground which had been repeatedly eX-
planned 10 the two Houses II the Legislature.
Mr. w. A. FentIess. # Portsmouth, spoke
in opposition T. the bill. lie gave history
OF lie present ferry and showed that 1t had
kept pace with the progress of time. lie
thousht that the granting of q charter TO the
new ferry would be a progress OF retrogres-
sion.
Colonel Marsha. who followed Mr. Fentress.
Thought 10 would be but fair that the new
ferry IL 10 was % share the benefits OF the
tips between Norfolk and Portsmouth, 1t
should also the burdens OF tho trips between
Berklev and Norfolk and Berkeley and Ports
mouth. lie stated that he was present at the
direction Of the board of supervisors 10 oppose
the bill III the committee should decide 10
report the bill favOrably. then he would sub
NIT an amendment 20 the effect that the COM
pany should only be allowed 10 acquire prop
erty by purchase or lease and not 10y con
demuatlOn.
Colonel Tazewell Elicit closed the case for
the side asking ior the granting of the CHAR
ter lie stated that according 10 ms iniOr-
nation tho city council Of Norfolk had
passed unanimously on several occasions
resolutions asking or additional Jerry prlF'-
leees About one-half OF Norfolk county was
situated on the same side with Norfolk city,
and was therefore il favor If The new ferry.
With additional ferry facilities the
city Of Portsmouth would be bene-
ftol in the near future by a large
increase in the populat.on.s The oppo-
ncuis had complained OF the burden OF az
least one Of these three lines. but he could
only add that the proposition had been
made 10 them TO select either one line be-
tween Norfolk and Portsmouth or keep the
three lines. but they declined to make use OF
the oder.
Mr. Merritt T. Cooke took the ground that
ii the present ferry was highway. then the
city Of Portsmouth and county OF Norfolk
had ~ right 90 lease Il 20 private individuals
10 let the latter reap the benefit If it, He
asked that the charter be granted without
any further amendment.
After short consultation the committee de-
cided unanimously 10 report the bill fayora-
Div without any amendment.