Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-02-12
SCHOOLS AND RACES.
Mr.. BLACKSTONE PROPOSES A con-
STlTUTiONAl AMENDMENT.
Whites aud Negroes to Hear Their Own
Educational Expsnses-Oyster
Committee Report.

Committee Report.
One Of tho most important measures
introduced into the Senate yesterday was
the JOINT resolution Of Mr.. Blackstone
proposing to amend the Constitution in
respect Of collecting and applying the
school funds.
Tho Constitution provides that the In
terest on the literary fund, the capitation-
tax. and the annual school tax shall be-
applied for the equal BENEFIT Of al The people
Of ne STATE. The amendment strikes out
the words equal benefit of all the people
OF the STATE and provides for the sepa,,
rate assessment of the State. county. aud
district school taxes .or whites aud me-
groes and that the taxes collected shall
be kept separate aud distinct and applied
exclusively to the support OF the schools
and the race paying then
Senator Blackstone thought that the bill
introduced by hun day before yesterday,
having for It's object similar purpose,
would probably be held unconstitutional.
and thus 90 attain the same end he INTRO
duced this resolution as the first step to-
wards amending the Constitution.
The Senate adopted the substitute for
the first bill introduced TO provide FOR
The substitute m1kes specific provision
for those who hold tax receipts. but whose
names are not on the bills at Washington.
THE REPoET on OYSTERS
The report Of the Joint committee APP
pointed at the last session OF the General
Assembly 10 inquire into the oyster industry
WIS presented III the Re nate by Mr.. Barnes
though no disscnted from many Of It's recon-
mendations, as did other members Of the COM
nittce.
The report recommends a tax Of a. season
upon each patent tong; that the planting
grounds be leased for a term Of fifteen years at
) per acre for the nrst five years AMI " tor the
remainder OF the time.
referring to the oTer made by Mr. Lewis, to
whom the Hog Island grounds were leased ana
subsequently tgkon away, resulting in loss TO
him OF $4,000, the report says tlRt he now Of
frrs 20 release his claims for damages u the
state will lease him 1890 other acres OF plant
Ing ground. This he Will nc .ept anywhere IN tue
waters OF the Commonwealth for the same pc
Rod he had Hog Island he 10 pay nifty cents per
annum per acre for the first two years, nni al
for the next three years, and ~ Tor the remain
ing fifteen years. The committee says that II mo
rental rates be unreasonable In any particular
thoy are unrcasOnably low.
The committee do not endorse the sentiment
opposing sub-lstung or assignment OF leases
They give many reasons why such provision
should moi be adopted. Jhey do not think clther
hat the leasing OF The planting-gr0unds should
be confined to citizens OF THE state. No con-
ever be realized from the oyster industry 40 long
rs tie citizens Of Virginia are allowed 10 mo-
nopolize the planting-business.
SHOULD LEASE EvrgY ACRE.
What il needed IL that every acre OF tho
grounds be leased and utilized. 10 i estimated
tho report says. that the Commonwealth owns
million acres OF these lands. They believe that
every acre will be taken at the rate recommend
ed. II no state limit is placed upon those who
desire 10 become ltssees.
ttfIv no
O n very large revenue can be realized by the
state from her oyster-lands, approximatng
perhaps million dollars per snnum az nrst,
and two millions per annum during the. last ten
wears OF the lenses. But In order TO accom-
plish this the report says, 1T IA ne ;essary That
The monlbers Of the General Assembly separate
themselves at once and forever from the iailacy
which finds Judgment in the minds OF some OF
our iidovater citizens) that the state has not
the absolute property In the oysIer-bed-, ana
that the rsntshe eracts for the use OF ner plant
ing grounds is a tax upon the people OF that
section"
Work of the Senate.
The Senate was called t. order at IL o'clock
bv the Lieutenant-('overnor,a ana the proceed
ings opened with prayer by Rev. Dr. Cooper.
These wore the bills presented and referred;
By Mr. Gordon, authorizing the treasurer OF
Rappahaauock county TO deposit county funds
In a national bank by Mr.. L0yenstein 70 incor-
porate the Richmond society Tor the Prevention
OF Cruelty 20 Animals; by Mr.. Peters, 10 incor-
porate the Lexington and Western railroad; by
Mr.. Tyler, 10 authorize the Fact Hampton De-
velopment Company TO construct bridge across
Ham pton river, aud construct equip, Hnd operate
n railroad from its land scrcss said bridge
by Mr. Mcdonald. 10 amend tue Code relative 10
bank repositories for State funds; by Mr.. south
all, 10 require the boaris of supervisors OF the
counties Of Amelia, Cumberland, Nottoway,
Prince Edward, Goochland, Chesterfield aud
Powhatan TO protect poultry; by Mr. Tyler. 70
remove the political disabilities OF B. r. Hudsin,
Dr.; by Mr.. stubbs, for rehet Of ffedercS
las, T..tl Ina lam
George and ". c. Hogg; By. same. TO
authorize the school trustees Of Abingdon
District, in the county OF Glouce-tor, 10
borrow money and issue bonds therefor; by
same 20 authorize district and county school
boards Of Mathews and Gloucester counties 10
compensate school trustees other than clerks OF
district school boards; by Mr.. Roberts. TO amend
the act establishing corporation court Tor the
city Of BRISTOL
The bill TO regulate tho effect Of
assignments creating preferences made
by insolvent or embarrassed debtors, 10
prevent frauds being perpetrated by
debtors, TO regulate the removal and appoint
ment Of trustees In deeds OF assignment, was re-
ported from the Committee on Courts Of Justice
with the recommendation that II do not pass, put
on motion Of Mr. Flood, was made the special or
der for Monday at j o'clock.
BAITkRs AFFECTING OYSTERS.
Mr.. Little introduced Joint resolution, which
was agreed 10. empowering the Senate Comnit-
tee on Fish and Game and the House Committee
municsta with the JOINT committee OF the Mary
land Legislature ON the oyster question, and ~
determine upon the time OF such conference.
At the last session OF the General Assembly a
special committee, consisting OF messrs. Barnes,
Blackstone, Hurt, and Stubs, from the Senate,
and Messrs. Coleman, Davis, Lighiner j. s.
Jones, Joynes, Saunders, and shepperson, from
the House, IVES appointed TO inquire into the
general subject Of the oyster interest and re-
port yesterday Mr.. Barnes presented the re-
port of part OF the committee, which was laid on
the table and ordered to be printed Only three
members signed the report--Messrs. Coleman,
Hurt, and shepperson. Messrs. Stubs and
Blackstone dissent IL toto and Messrs. Barnes
and JONES In part.
MIR. Blackstone presented Joint resolution
proposing 10 amend the eighth section OF article
OF tho Constitution In respect OF the collection
ANA application Of the school fund. The reso-
luton was referred 10 the Committee on Courts
OF Justice.
ELLIS PASSED.
Senate Bills: To amend the act Incorporating
the Pitspurg ana Virginia Railroad Company
for the distribution among those entitled OF the
direct-tax money donated by the United States
Government; to incorporate the Portsmouth and
smithneld Railway Company.
House Bills TIE prevent the pollution OF pota-
BILE water used for the supply Of cities TO amend
the set Incorporating the town OF Rocky Mount
to incorporate the Richmond aud kappahan-
nock-Valley railroad allowing the treasurer OF
Goochland county further time for the collection
OF taxes 10 allow the voters Of Prince William
county 10 vote on tue question OF the removal OF
the courthouse from Brentsyille 10 Manassas
20 allow W. W. Kincheloe, late treasurer OF
Prince William county, further time to collect
taxes 10 authorize the school trustees OF New
Garden district, in Russell county, TO sell GER
tain school property; authorizing the district
school boards OF Luray aud Springfield districts,
In the county of Page, 10 use portion oil the dis
trict school fund for paying teachers: TO amend
the act providing new charter for the town OF
Liberty and 20 change Its name TO Bedford City,
and 20 validate bonds issued ny the town OF Bed
ford City.
Adjourned at 2 p. NJ.
House OF Delegates.
The proceedings OF tho House. which were
cornu enced at the usual hour. were opened vita
a PRAYER by Rev. DIR. William 4. Judkins.
Inc session was a busy one, but little actual
work was accomplished, as large portion OF the
time was consumed in the consideration of rou-
tine matters go
CLERK bigger read a letter from Mr. III. .. Will