The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-12-02
HALLS OF LEGISLATION.
WHAT VIII BE DONE ar Tgr rOy-
yENfSG OF GEYERAL AssEMBIY.
A Hot Fight Expected for the State OrBess.
The Incumbents arc Confident OF Re-
Election-Other Matters

The legislative floor Of the Capitol build
ing has. during the past few days. as
sumed a business-ilke appearance. A new
carpet has been put in the hall of the
House OF Delegates, all the desks OF the
members have been revarnished and pro-
vided with new seats, and the electric
lights have been connected with switches.
so that hereafter the light may be turned
on at moments notice.
The Senate chamber has been thorough
ly cleaned. It's electric lights have been
provided with similar appliances as those
In the lower House and the Office of the
keeper Of archives. Mr.. William Wilson.
has been embeliished by a new covering
OF the floor, cut out OF the old carpet
OF the hall Of the House Of Delegates.
The Office Of Colonel John Bell Big
ger, the efficient and popular clerk Of the
House Of Delegates, has also gone
through cleaning process. but the need
OF new carpet could not be recognized
on account of a scarcity Of funds 10 pro-
vide for such expenses
Members of the Legislature and candi-
dates depending on the vote of the two
Houses have been visiting the building
in large numbers during the past few
days. There has been d great deal Of
buttonholing, and those who have any
influence in the distribution Of the spells
have been seriously annoyed. A good
deal has been said about the dishng out
of the political plums but It is generally
admitted that nothing definite will be
done until all the members are on the
ground
A good many rumors have been spread
as to the various candidates, and all sorts
OF rumOrs have been credited as 10 the
chances Of success. / heard It said only
last evening that a combination had
been formed among the members Of the
Underwater district, 10 push their little
slate through. Among the aspirants for
Office, said to be favored by that COM
binS ton, were Senator Joseph n. Lawless,
of Portsmouth, for Secretary of the Com
monwealth; Mr.. Sidney y. Epes. Of Motto
way. member Of the House Of Delegates
during the last session, for Second Au-
ditor and l.. H. Wilkins, member Of the
House Of Delegates from Northampton
during the last session, for the Office Of
superintendent Of the Penitentary. At
the same time, however, IT was asserted,
with equal certainty that Mr. Wilkins
was not a candidate for office.
Others who claim TO be at least equally
as well posted are positive that all the
present incumbents Of State offices viii
be reelected, with the possible exception
OF superintendent OF Public instruction.
on Tuesday evening next on the eve of
the converting Of the General Assembly,
the Democrats Of the two Houses will
very likely hold separate caucuses TO
agree on the officers who viii control the
work during the coming session.
Mr.. John l.. Hurt. OF Pittsylvania, will
no doubt be reelected president pro TEN.
Of the Senate, which position he has held
during several years. Dr. j. D. Pendleton
who. for over thirty years has served the
Senate in a faithful manner. has the in
side track TO succeed himself as clerk of
that body.
Mr. r. H. Cardwell, Of Hanover county,
will, Of course. again be elected speaker
Of the House and Colonel Bigger will
be his right bower as clerk Of that body
Mr.. W. A. Fentress. Of Portsmouth.
who has been reelected as member of the
lower House from his district. was
among the visitors at the Capitol last
evening. lie had been i'm consultation
with Senator Conway r. Sands an day,
the two being members of the sub-commit-
Tee who are to frame a bill I'm reference
to the equalization of taxes on mineral
lands