Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-02-14


stitute favorably. The vote was u to J.
The substitute, like the original bill.
makes no change in the law 30 far as the
counties and. towns are concerned. but
provides that In cities OF 5000 or more IN
habitants an election may be had. pro-
yided that 80 per cent. Of the registered
yotersZInstead of 25 per cent, as now
slcn a petition memorializ!ng the Judge OF
the corporation court to order such an
election. The bill will probably go to the
House this week.
NORFOLK'S ELECTORAL-BOARD.
The contest over the appointment OF the
electoral board for Norfolk city was
taken I'D again yesterday morning by the
House Committee on Privileges and Elec-
tons. All three Of the Norfolk members
of the LEGISLATURE were present In tne
interest of the board already agreed upon
by the ioint committee. Hr. Cooke made
a speech in opposition to reopening the
case He recounted the reasons why. In
his judgment Messrs. Taylor, Dalton. and
.Joynes. who represent the Democratic
workers and large property interests as
well. should be appointed.
Major Barton Meyers and Mr.. John w.
Whitehead, the latter both city editor OF
the Virginian and secretary of the Demo-
fTatlc Executive tBIiinitArt VI 4Nbiicths
appeared In opposition to the Taylor board,
having come up on the morning train
especially for this purpose. The argu-
ment Of these gentlemen was on the same
lines OF that adduced before the COM
mittee at their joint session. Messrs.
Meyers and Whitehead said they were not
here in the interest or to advocate any
special board. but to ask the Legislature
to make selections that will restore har-
mony and confidence and avert the
threatened dsintegration of the party.
Mr.. Whitehead. replying to a question
asked by Senator Herbert. said II he
knew OF any frauds In Norfolk elections
he would not discuss them. The COM
mittee had already heard enough on that
line. BY a vote of to the committee
adhered to the Taylor Dalton, and Joynes
board.
THE MILITARY BILLS.
The House Committee on Militia and
Police convened at the Exchange Hotel
last night for the consideration OF the
various military bills which have been
placed before the House. principally by
Mr.. Gibson. Very nearly the entire COM
plement of the officers OF the State mill
tia were present.
Mr. Glbsons bill to abolish the office
devolve on the Secretary Of the Com
monwealth, was the first one discussed.
All Of the officers present We're opposed
TO the bill Colonel Jones outlined the
duties of the office, ana gave 1t as his
opinion that they could not be performed
by a civilian. He was followed by Major
Simons. who stated that to dispense with
the office would be a blow TO the State
militia which would sadly affect its
usefulness competent and successful
he said, must be
man well versed in military affairs.
Colonel c. A. Nash. Of Norfolk, Cap
tain Sol. CutchIns, and Colonel Stern
also spoke against the bill General An
derson was present, but said nothing in
this connection.
INSPECTOR OF RIFLE PRACTICE.
Mr. Gibson's bill to amend and re-enact
section 3l5 Of the Code. and TO appoint an
inspector OF rine-practice. and judge adj
yocate to be attached TO each regiment,
was next discussed. General Anderson and
CAPTAIN Cutchins favored the appointment
of the Judge advocates and Inspector Of
rine-practice. but concerning the creating
OF regimental inspectors. which would vir-
tualIy abolish the Office of inspector-gen-
eral. they earnestly protested against.
The bill which provides that no commits
sion shall be issued for a longer term than
five years. and that all officers who have
served longer period than five years
shall vacate their Offices unless reelected,
was also discussed.
The committee went into executive ses~
sion at II 80 O'Clock and decided to report
the bill to abolish the Office of adjutant-
general with recommendation that it do
not pass. A like report was also made
on the bills in relation 10 the appointment
of regimcntal inspectors. and the limita-
tion Of the terms OF officers.
The following bills were thon taken up
and passed on without discussion.
Increasing the number OF members or
the military board by adding thereto the
OF each separate military
organization in the State. Passed by.
The bill to allow the Governor to In
crease his staff by adding thereto sixteen
aids was amended 10 read twenty instead
Of sixteen. and a favorable report was
made thereon. The committee rose
shortly before midnight
TALK ABOUT OYSTERS.
A Joint session Of the House Committee
on Chesapeake and It's Tributaries and the
Senate Committee on Fish and Game con-
vened in the Senate chamber yesterday
afternoon.
Mr.. Miller's bill for the protection Of
game was reported favorably with an
exemptirg from the provis-
Ions thereof the counties represented by
Senator's Stubbs and Herbert. Another
amendment providing that the bill shall
not apply to any county that has a spe-
rial game law was agreed to. Several
local bills were agreed TO.
The committee will hereafter meet every
afternoon at 4 o'clock TO consider bills
IN relation to the oyster question.
COURTS OF JUSTICE.
The Committee for Courts of Justice
net yesterday afternoon.
The bill giving county courts jurisdic-
ion OF civil matters not exceeding $500
vas reported with the recommendation
hat IL do not pass.
A favorable report was made on the
,ill providing more effectual method of
taxes, deeds, wills, and fines
rom clerks of courts OF records. A like
'eport was made on the bill TO amend the |
aw as to suits to set aside fraudulent |
Senate bill authorizing service of pro-
'ess in Charlottesville was also favorably |
eported.