Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-02-21
CASE OF Mr.. MASSEY.
REPORT or INVESTIGATING COMMIT
Tee SUBMITTED; NOT ACTED ON.
Worlds Fair Appreptiatisn-raik ~ An.
other sspsrase-car Csucas-Asti-1am-
blias Bill Passed-Osher Business.

Wvsso s~ss HfPa~bs @~sAvss 80 - eAss~
other sspsrase-cay Csucas-Asti-oam-
blias Bill Passsd-Oshsr Business
The subject on which general interest
centred in the Senate Yesterday was
tho report Of the Committee on
Public Institutions and Education.
who were charged with the investi-
CATION OF the charges brought by
Senator Flood against Hon. John Z. Mas
sey. Superintendent Of Public Instruction.
The report, which is presented IN full be-
low. was read and passed by, owing to the
absence of Mr.. Flood. After the report
had been read MIR. Gordon moved TO ac-
Of the Senate. but subsequently withdrew
tho motion. Mr.. Massey was present and
viii doubtless be heard when the matter
comes mp for consideration.
The subcommittee of the Public Insti-
buttons and Education Committee appoint
ed to take cognizance OF the charges pre-
ferred against the Backsburg College
Board of Visitors by Professors Scott and
Graham will meet Monday to prepare
their report to the full committee.
THE woRLp's-FAIR BILL.
The Senate Finance Committee met yes
terday morning and decided to report
favorabiy the bill appropriatine 5000 for
the copying and preservation OF the An
Gent records OF certain counties.
The Worlds-fair bill was discussed and
. resolution was adopted TO refer the
whole question OF appropriations to sub
committee, which shall after an informal
conference with the House committed. re
port to special meeting OF the FINANCE
Committee. The subcommittee Is CON-
posed OF Senators Wickham, Jones, Wal
ton. Barnes, Tyler, and the CHAIRMAN, MI.
Berry. This committee Will inquire into
ell the appropriations required, and will
report suggesting the amount to be appro-
priated for the fair.
MIR. Barnes has introduced into the Sem
ate bill 10 provide that the roads OF the
State shall be worked annually between
the first day of April and the last day OF
May and at least one day in October.
PUT HIMSELF ON RECORD.
Mr.. Roberts. who was unavoidably alb
sent from his seat IN the Senate when the
vote was taken on the debt bill. stated in
that BODY yesterday that II he had been
present he would have voted in the affirma-
tive. and asked to be so recorded.
There is talk in the Senate OF calling an
other caucus on the bill to provide sepa-
rate cars for whites and negroes. The
Senate was in session at the time the eau
Gus was being held Thursday night. and 1t
is claimed that the upper branch did not
have sufficient notice that this important
measure would be considered.
The Governor has signed the debt bill
and the bill annexing o certain portion OF
Lee District to the city OF Richmond.
Proceedings of the senate.
TIE Senate was called to order at noon
by Mr.. Hurt. president pro tenn, and during
the first half hour large number OF bills
were placed on the calendar.
The hour for the execution of the Joint
order-the election of Judge for the Cor
poratlon Court of Buena Vista-havin2 ar
rived. MIR. Jones placed in nomination
James o. Shepherd. Messrs. Jones and
Echols were appointed committee to act
with a similar committee on the part oil
the House TO count the vote, and upon
their report the nominee was declared duly
elected.
THE MASSEY CASE.
The Committee on Public Institutions
and Education. TO whom was referred the
matter of investigating the charges
brought by Mr.. Flood against Hon. John
l.. Massey, Superintendent OF Pubic H.
struction. submitted the following report ;
To the Senate of Virginia
The Committee on Public Institutions
and Education, to whom was referred the
following resolution
Whereas. il has been represented to the
Senate of Virginia that the Superintend-
ent Of Public Instruction has been guilty
of collecting from the State of Virginia. as
expenses due him as member of the
Board of Visitors OF Blacksburg College,
money to which he was not entitled
R,solred, That the Committee on Public
Institutions and Education investigate
pad chang and report to the Senate, and
said committee shall have power TO send
for persons and papers
respectfully report that they have given
the subject their careful and patient con-
sideration, and submit herewith all the
evidence adduced before the committee.
THE Five HUNDRED DOLLARS.
As to the charge that the $500 appropri-
ated by law TO pay the necessary travelling
expenses of the Superintendent OF Public
Instruction was intended to cover the ex-
penses of attending meetings OF the boards
OF public institutions of which the Super
intendent 10 or ogicio u member, your COM
mittee are of the opinion that the funds
thus appropriated cannot be used for that
purpose. as they are appropriated TO pay
"nls (the Superintendent OF Public In
struction) necessary travelling expenses,
while engaged in the duties of his Office y
Code, and decision of Court of Appeals
Trustees of Normal School Us. Auditor
Virginia School Reports, Volume 8, lSS4-'S5
Department of Public lnstruction), and
that he is not required in the discharge Of
his duties as superintendent OF Pubic Ed
ucation to attend the meetings OF the boards
of the several educational institutions
but does so in accordance with the seyera
statutes passed making him e1-oticio {
member of certain institutions.
Your committee, however, are of the opin
ion that the manner in which this none,
has been drawn from the Treasury Will,
IN accordance with precedent. is notin con
formity with the spirit nor intent OF thu
law. II has been the custom TO draw thu
money in stated instruments of 800 each
The law (section 1873. subdivision II, say!
he shall receive O sum not exceeding $500 II
any one year for necessary travelling ex
penses, and yet il has been the custom TO
wears in this Office TO draw the exac
amount. II appears TO your committee
that an itemized statement of expenses
should be submitted, when the money II
drawn from the Treasury.
QUESTION OF REASONABLE EXPENSES
As TO the charge THAT MIR. Massey hat
gotten out of the treasury of the Virginia
Agricultural and Mechanical College. IL
the shape of travelling expenses, money
that under no CONSTRUCTION OF the law rs
should be entitled to-" the law in regart
TO the expenses OF the board (section l59,
of the Code) reads; "Such reasonable ex
penses as the Visitors may incur in the dis
charge of their duties shall be paid Oh o
the funds of the college," As TO whit j.
reasonable expenses" we would suggest
that what is intended by the law i:
that the expenses actually paid on
in going from the residence of the
member 10 the institution and returning
therefrom and his expenses while at the
institution. Taking this view of the law
we do not agree with the construction
placed by Mr.. Massey on the law of hi
right to charge his expenses in going from
Alabama to the place of meeting OF the
board for the purpose of attending meet
ing thereof and returning to Alabama; We
think that he could only charge his actual
expense from his office in Richmond
which is his official residence during his
term of Office, to the place of meeting and
return.
THE YrFTExN-DoLLAR CHARGE.
As to the charge that he presented bill
Of S15 for attending . meeting of the
board in Richmond. Mr.. Massey claims
a ~ A