The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-12-07

RICHMOND. Dec. 6.-The two bodies
composing the general assembly of Vir-
GINA, known as the legislature of vir-
gina, met here to-day at noon at the
State capitol and began one of the most
important sessions in the history of the
State.
The officers chosen by the oauouses
held last night were promptly elected
as follows President pro tom. of the
senate, John L. Hurt; clerk. j. D.
pt,endleton;, sergeant alarms. z. T.
speaker OF the house Of delegates, r.
81. Caldwell; clerk, John Bell Biggers;
sergeant alarms. John Carpenter;. door
keeper, a. o. Sullivan; assistant door.
keeper, P. E. Lipscombe.
After the election and swearing in of
the officers. Governor Mckinney sent in
lengthy message touching upon the
public debt, the State penitentiary, par
dons, criminal expenses, pay of judges.
schools and colleges, county roads, the
Roanoke riot, lynch law, riots, etc.
In his communication he shows the
astounding fact that the criminal ex-
penses OF the State have increased from
SIS, 600 in 1860 and $4,000 in 1870 to
a3sl, 900 in 1893.
To check this he recommends fixed
salaries to prosecuting attorneys, pay
ment of costs by parties who bring
needless prosecutions and enlarged iuris-
diction OF justices. The most import
ant feature OF the message is a PROPOSE
ton to revolutioni2e the oyster interests
by renting the States oyster grounds,
amounting to about l 900, 600 acres, at 81
per acre,
The governor approves the act OF the
military in queliing the Roanoke riot
and deprecates lynch law and riots in
general.
Tho States revenues, he states, have
been increased half million dollars
without change of the rate OF taxation.
The caucus for nominating State
officers is to be held tomorrow night.
There are IS Democrats in the Senate
and SIS in the house, making a caucus
roll OF 1876, and requiring 81 to nom
mate. The senatorships are giving
them more trouble than OF the many
contests, and all are anxious for the
matter to be disposed of as soon as
practicable. A great number of
senators and delegates are un.
committed to anyone, and these
are being claimed for both Lee and
Martin The senatorial contest is a
puzzle, and nothing but the Democratic
caucus can solve it. II one spends q
few minutes at the Martin Headquarters
he is almost convinced that nothing
can defeat the Scottsyille man. But
he will receive from the Lee man
equally as strong evidence that the
general will win hands down.
Tho most remarkable thing about it
is that the managers of the forces of
their respective favorites believe sin
cerely that their man is winner
Governor Mckinney is favorite as
dark horse. On the frs. ballot he will
get the votes Of several influential mem
bers of the general assembly, and in the
event of a deadlock he will be- pushed
Not much is heard about Goode and Con-
rad. The Hunton people are saying little,
but are watching developments closely
and keeping on good terms with every
body. Col. R. c. Marshall will get q
complimentary vote. and If the way ap-
pear clear he will be pushed forward as
q com promise candidate.
The contest for the position OF secre-
tary OF tho commonwealth still holds
the second place Of honor. Mr., Law
less and his lieutenants to-day were
claiming eighty five or ninety votes.
Judge East, who managed O'Ferrall's
canvass, says Lawless is a sure
winner. On the other hand Judge
Flournoy is as apparently cor
fident Of election as ne can be, and it ia
claimed by his friends he has more than
enough votes pledged to elect him. COL
Tazewell Elicit, Maj. Jas. D. Patton and
other influential Richmond gentlemen
are working for Judge Flournoy, while
Captain Cunningham Hall Is putting in
some good ticks for Lawless There are
moro visitors here from the Norfolk sec
ton than any other part of the State,
and the most OF them are boomers Of
| Lawless.
Mr.. Epes, in his contest with Mr.. Ry-
land for the position OF second auditor,
| is developing considerable strength and
it looks as II the result might be close.
Mr.. Southall. also, is going to give Par
son Massey close call. Southall is 8
member OF the legislature himself and
this fact is worth several votes to him.
He is conducting quiet but effective
canvass. Mr.. Lynn, the superintendent
| OF the penitentiary, has four opponents,
but it looks as though he would pull
| through. The State officers not men
toned have no opposition as yet, not
even the superintendent OF public
printing, for which position there are
generally number Ut applicants.
TELEGRAPHIC BREvITIEs.