The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-02-18
A NEWSPAPER MEASURE
xR. Pxr1EsOs WANTS a c0SSTI7u-
1I0N LIKE MTsSIsSIPPfs,
which rrescribcs that Every Voter Must
BE- Able 20 Road the state Constitu-
ton or Understand II when Read.

order at noon ycSteIudy ~ MI ~ o.
and Messrs. lIarwood end Downing were
called 10 the chair during the session.
In the absence Of minister, the pro.
cccdings were opened without prayer.
An amount OF business was disposed OF
and much discussion ensued over inc
Withcrs' constitutional convention bill
and other measures.
Mir withers took up the discussion OF
the measure where he left off yesterday
and advocated his bin az length. He said
that he had been reported incorrectly
IN regard 20 some Of the figures pre-
scented by him the day before.
He again went into the expenditures
for the conduct OF the State Government.
and. by comparison and statistics. show
ed that the system In vogue In virginia
Is more costly than it should be. ana
should be corrected by "A constitutional
amendment lie SAID that the party
which stands IN the way Of the passage
OF such "A bin viii absolutely be wiped
from the face Of the earth.
Mr.. Moon opposed the convention idea,
and held that any needed changes could
better be made and with less cost by
submitting the amendments direct 10 a
vote OF the people.
Mr.. Paterson supported Mr.. Wlhers in
q spirited argument. and advocated
convention on the ground that 10 was
urgently needed In regard 70 the right
OF suffrage and took occasion 20 pro-
nounce as false the charges as to cleo
ton frauds in Southside Virginia.
lie advocated a constitution similar 20
the Mississippi constitution Said ne. ]
.tt l. g
eiSsippi / want constitution passed
which viii allow no man in the State of
Virginia 10 vote unless he can read the
Virginia constitution or understand it
wheh read. He said that the State could
be redistricted so as 10 give one repre-
sentative TO every thirty thousand votes
and assure the supremacy Of the white
race in Virginia. At the close Of Mr.
Pattes0n's speech the bill went over
TO another day.
Mr. McIae, OF Petersburg. offered IL
the House a bill to define newspaper
libel and 10 provide for the procedure in
such action for the same. and 10 present
liability i'm such nctiOn mis- bin is
modelled after the Georgia law on the
subject. and is the result Of the labors of
a committee appointed on such legislation
10y the Nireinia Press Association.
The bin provides that any false and
malicious defamation OF another. OK
pressed in print in any newspaper maya
zine or periodical tending To injilre the
reputation of an individual and expose
Inn to public hatred. contempt or ridi-
cnle shall constitute "a newspaper libel. |
the publication of such libellious matter |
being essential 10 recovery
?. In all actions for newspaper libel |
proof OF actual malice may be admitted |
az evidence To support damages Such |
evidence may be rebutted by proof
Nhich, ~ case Of privileged communica-
ions. Will be in bar OF recovery.
2 Before any suit shall be brought for
he publication of libel i'm any newspaper
n this state the aggrieved party SHAH. at
east tbfee days before filing or serving
ne complaint in such suit, serve notice
u Writing on the publisher, or publishers.
II said newspapers az their principal Of
ice of publication. specifying the state
neht IN the article or articles which he
N they ailege TO be- false or defamatorv.
n II snail appear on the trial Of said ac-
non that the said article was published
N good faith; that its falsity was due
10 mistake or misrepresentation OF the
a'ts ana that fun and fair retraction
u any statement therein alleged TO be
Toheons was published i'm the next reeu-
/
hfee days after receipt OF said written
office as above provided. then the plain
IN IN such case shan recover only actual
amages. And If said retraction as mere
lpefore provided is not made then the
iilure TO make said retraction shall be
lken as proof Of malice.
q. The words actual damages" i'm the
,regoing section shall be construed 10 in
ude all the damages that the plainti0
Jay show that he has suffered in respect
, his property. business. trade, profes-
on. or occupation, and no other damage
Bills fntrpdnced
the Following bills were introduced in
ne House to-day ana referred To arnro-
rate committees:
10y Mr.. Brugh (by requesD: Petition
'om voters Of Botetourt county protest.
* against the repeal of the local-option
IVY.
BY Mr.. Saunders Prohibiting the is
nance OF liquor licenses. except in cities
no towns. TO any person within one
ne OF church or schoo-house.
ny Mr. Newbefne (by reauesD. To
lake valid and confirm an ordinance
the town of Berkeley as to taxes
mitted to be assessed in the mode pre-
'ribed by it's charter for the past four
ears.
Ky Mr.. Dejarnette: Amending the Code
relation 10 the granting OF mar
age licenses to persons under twenty
ne years.
by Mr. Boiling For the relief of John
Z. Sale, NJ. D. for professional services
Bedford county.
Fla rmont Raj why Company. {
Delegate Bnford offered a bill to in $
'rporate the Fairmont Railway Company
ith Fred. g. Brauer. Jr John H. Din !
zen. samuel X. Pulliam, v Heckler. in. ;
I'd VIM. 4. Heckler as corporators. The I
Ipital stock is 70 be not less than $4,000 y
'r more than SJ0ooOo. and the company
'ail have authority TO contruct and G
crate railway TO commence at a G
INT near the Northeastern portion of |
edmond and extending through Fair
ont northwardly or eaStWardly ia some
INT In Henrico county not exceeding
a miles from the city Of Richmond {
I'd To use as motive power horses.
ules. steam. or electricity. y