The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-03-01

/ only sought an '""'y 70 be
heard. 1t was referred 10 committee
and was plgeon-holed' ana have beeo
denied the poor priVhese accorded IN
the criminal of being confronted nv W 40
accusers. and of being heard in his 90
defence. or this | make no compial",
The committee in the plentitude OF a..
wisdom may have acted wisely. / hava
no criticism TO make. except tina, &,
Is poor democracy ever TO subordina,o
principie to expedlency. Mr. Speaker 4,
Introducing this bill | was actuated ~,
one motive. and only one. | wished 10
insure fair and honest elections. ana
thus remove a cause OF complaint mo,
IS surely decimating the ranks Of tho
Democratic party IN many sections Of the
State, even to the point OF depletion.
| wish to bring back TO the household
OF their fathers those VINO, In utter
hopelessness and despair, nave wander
ed off in pursuit Of strange gods. Tho
gentleman from Isle Of Wight says that
at this late stage Of the session II is
wrong 10 devote 70 the consideration Of
this measure time that should be devot-
ed TO matters Of more Importance. As
surely. Mr.. Speaker. as that there is a
Just God who rules above US, no more i'm
portant measure can claim the attention
OF this Legislature than that or extir-
patIng fraud I'm our elections, and re-
moving from the public mind the susp-
clon which has now grown into GER
talnty that in many portions Of this
State elections are the veriest farce, aud
the result whatever dishonest Judges
may. for a consideration choose TO
make II. The g-ntsmans time having
expired the hammer FELL
trch ~.
Colonel Gibson, OF Culpeper, who was
the next speaker. stated that while he
was not the patron Of the bill. yet he
was willing to assume the responsibility
Tor the same. He said the Democrats in
this state were growing FESTIVE under
the manner in which the electoral ma
chinery had been worked in Virginia. At
the last gubernatoral election the Demo-
cratic majorities had been reduced in
all Democratic counties, while In other
sections In the negro belt. an immense
Democratic majority had been heaped UP
as a basis for future Democratic repre-
sentatfOn
Colonel Gibson then cited several in
stances in order 10 prove the correctness
or his assertion. and added that hereafter
the vote Of Democratic counties I'm con-
Ventions would bc dominated by the
delegates from negro counties. He thought
the amendments proposed TO the existing
laws by Mr. Bufords bill were right and
In the interest OF fair play. II was cor
tainiy not ask.hg too much that friends
OF the candidates of opposing parties
should be admitted, as long as the bill
provided that the selection should be
made by the judges Of election. lie
thought the members Of the General AS
sembly could not afford 10 say by their
own votes that they would not tolerate
even the appearance Of a fair election.
on motion of Mr. Downing. the House
then adjourned until this morning az II
o'clock by vote OF ~ to 30.
4on-. 80 s-ed.
The following House bills were passed:
In relation 10 working and keeping in
repair the roads and bridges of AleXan-
dria county. For the protection Of game
in Rockingham county. To incorporate
the Richmond and Northern Railway
Company. To amend an act entitled IAN
act to incorporate the Bedford and James
River Railroad Company" approved
March 1. 1892 To amend and re-enact
section 513 OF the Code OF Virginia as
to the time OF commissioners Of revenue
making delivery Of land and personal
property books to clerks Of courts for
examination. For the protection Of sheep
in the county Of Fluvanna.
-cna.@ 81 = Pa scd.
The following Senate bills were passed:
To amend and re-enact section Of an
act entitled AN act TO protect the oyster
industry OF the Commonwealth" APP
proved February p 1892. To amend and
re-enact sections 3, 4, and Of an act
of the General Assembly of Virginia, APP
proved January 16, 1886, entitled IAN act
to incorporate the town OF Claremont, I'm
the county Of Surry. To authorize DeMott
Robertson, treasurer of Arpomattox coun-
", 10 sell lands returned delinquent for
the nOn-payment Of taxes.