Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1894-01-31
LEGISLATIVE.


was the discussion Of the Miller bill 10
amend the local option law. The bill,
proposed to change the Law so as to re-
strict local option to counties and towns
and cities having 5000 inhabitants and
more. The bill was reported from the
committee with the amendment that
local option be restricted to counties,
and to towns having $500 inhabitants
and more.
The question came up on the amend
ment and Mr.. Miller made a speech in
support OF the measure. He held that
there was no need OF prohibition in
towns and cities having police regula-
tion, that local option in such towns
and cities had done no good, but had
caused strife and cnmity between man
and man, between friends, between
churches. More than that, the nation
81 prohibition party took advantage OF
local option elections 10 attack the
democratic party and to win away its
supporters. He did not think that the
legislature should longer give to these
enemies of the democratic party the op-
portunity of doing mischief.
Mr.. Walton made q strong speech IN
opposition 10 the bill. He held that
the democratic party was squarely
committed TO local option and must
consider the rights Of the temperance
element, or lose many good voters from
the ranks OF the party.
Alter many speeches the amendment
offered BY the committee TO strike out
5000 and insert 300 was lost by vote
OF IS TO IS.
The second amendment offered by
the committee was as follows: And
no election heretofore held, or order for
an election heretofore made by any cor
porate town containing over 1000 inhab-
itants shall affect the power OF the
courts TO grant licenses 10 sell liquor
in such towns.
Mr.. Flood said that there was no OBJ
lection tc the amendment. Only one
city in the State could be affected by it
and that was the city Of Roanoke.
There was no reason for imposing upon
Roanoke the burden OF fanaticism from
which other cities were exempt.
The amendment prevailed by vote
Of Is 10 Il
The question then came UP on the
engrossment OF the bill, but the Senate
adjourned without voting on the bill.
The vote on the amendments was in
neither case test vote. bat it IS the
general impression that the Miller bill
a it now stands will pass the Senate
by small majority.
Among the bills passed by the Senate
were the following
Senate bills To amend the code
providing within what time an indict-
ment for felony must be tried, or the
accused be forever discharged
Authorizing an appeal from the judg-
ment Of justices of The peace in cases OF
misdemeauor or imposition OF q iue
House bills To ratify, validate and
confirm the payment of certain fees
heretofore paid to the State for chart
ers granted by courts.
To allow the Chesapeake and Ohio
Railway Company to extend its line to
Norfolk.
The Senate passed the Richmond and
Danville reorganization bill
The Senate passed the House bill to
authorize the Board of Supervisors OF
Loudoun county TO borrow money to
build new court house.
The Senate committee on privileges
and elections reported Senate bill 10
amend the election laws with the re
commentator that it do not pass.
The bill enlarging the powers OF
Societies for the Prevention OF Cruelty
to animals came up in the House again
yesterday, Mr.. Shelley offered an
amendment TO exclude dogs from the
provisions of the measure This was
opposed by Messrs. Nicol, Patteson,
Harris and Cabell and voted down.
Mr.. Gibson had the floor ana was seek
ing to have the bill amended in several
particulars when the hour Of l o'clock
arrived.
The fertilizer bill being the special
order was taken up. Mr.. Pitcher took
the floor to oppose the measure.
Speaker Cardwell also spoke in oppo
sition to the bill, and said that he
thought the tax of 10 cents per ton on
manufacturers of fertilizer was uncon-
stitutional. Mr.. Camm Patteson spoke
from the farmers point of view and in
formed the House that Mr.. Pitcher, one
ofthe strongest opponents ofthe meas
ure, was himself manufacturer of
fertilizers. The bill was recommitted.
a bill was offered to incorporate the
State Executive Committee of the
Young Mems Christian Association OF
Virginia. The corporators are the
persons who now constitute the COM
mittee.
Mr.. Thomas presented memorials
from the Carpenters and Joiners and
the Iron A1oulders' Unions Of Roanoke
asking that convict-made goods be so
stamped.
A bill was offered providing how de-
fects in indictments and other criminal
accusations shall be taken advantage of
and how the same may be corrected.
A bill was offered to appropriate
81, 800 to copy and preserve old records
in certain counties.
The House committee on privileges
and elections yesterday took up the
bill offered by 3Ir. Nicol to prevent
frauds in primary elections. a number
of amendments were adopted, but all Of
them are immaterial except the one to
strike out the second section. This
section provides for the punishment of
electors who should receive brides.
After the amendments had been agreed
to it was decided by vote of four to
two to report the measure faYorahlY.