Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-03-03
MADE GENERAL LAW
The Walton Bill Passes the Senate
After a Long Fight.
NO COUNTIES EXEMPTED.
Secrets Of the Caucus Crop Out In the Dis
cussion-Refcrences TO n Tncit
Understanding.

During the consideration Of the Walton
Australlan-ballot bill towards the close OF
the morning session OF the Senate yester-
day. 1t clearly developed that the mea-
sure would not be disposed Of without
lively debate. AS consequence when
the chair was resumed at +. NJ. the
chamber was crowded.
a few local bills were passed, and then
Mr.. Echols took the floor TO speak to
his motion-pending when the chair was
vacated-to reconsider the vote by which
his amendment to the bill eXcmpting GER
tain counties from its operations was
defeated.
Mr.. Echols said there had been an
understanding from the start that II any
senator was not satisfied with the bill
he could have his counties exempted. The
Senator from Shenandoah (Mr. Walton)'
IL he did not make such n statement
upon the caucus floor Mr.. Walton inter
rupted the speaker, and said Mr.. Echols
had misunderstood him IL he thought he
(Walton) had made such remark.
THE ELECTION HONEST
Mr.. Echols, continuing. said the cleo
ton In his district was absolutely fair.
II was claimed that the proposed system
would save much money. but he thought
It would require funds TO carry on cleo
tions OF any kind, whether the Australian
ballot system was adopted or not. Mr..
Echols being interrupted by Mr.. Harri-
son. said that he knew nothing whatever
about the Australian ballot. and b. did
not think the people knew anything about
II. This was one Of the reasons why he
desired his county exempted. The Rich
mOnd Times. the speaker said,
had made much reference 10 fraud
In the elections In Virginia,
but the people did not seem to have
been greatly exercised by IL. The amend
ments TO the bill. he declared, were Of
fered In good faith, and not for the pur-
pose OF defeating II. He asked that the
Senate reconsider its action upon these
amendments and adopt them.
NO FRAUD IN HIGHLAND.
Mr.. Jones. in favoring reconsideration,
said so far as his own section Of the
State was concerned, there had been no
fraud under the operation of the Ander-
that the fraud alleged TO have been com
mitted in elections under that law had
been perpetrated. The law was good
one; and the Senate was not ready TO
consider this bill In the judicial frame
OF mind that It should consider it. 1t went
to the very foundation Of the states pollt-
ical structure. Mr. Jones asked how many
senator's had read the bill. About seven
or eight replied that they had done so.
The Senator then argued that the mea-
sure had not been given due considera-
ton He. too. claimed that there was a
taclt agreement, not written contract
or compact, but an agreement. that sena-
tors desiring their counties excluded from
the operation of the law could have them
exempted. His district did not want the
measure. Elections there were Just as
honest as they could be under any sys-
TEN that could be enacted into law.
Mr. Fairfax also urged reconsideration.
He wanted to add his counties-Fauquier
and Loudoun--to the list to be excepted;
The Senate was asked by Mr.. Mush-
bach. Of Alexandria, to place the counties
In his counties, he said. every voter
white or black. was permitted to cast
his ballot and have 1t counted as cast
and even then the Democratic party al
WAYS won in the elections. Mr.. Mdsh-
bach said his people did not want the
proposed bill. and he was there To repre-
sent them. In the course OF his remarks
Mr. Mushbach made reference TO the
caucus, ana WAS dDOul W Civ hi1 iNNN'
lection Of the speech OF Mr.. Flood there.
when the Senator from AppomattoX ob-
jected. stating that he did not think me
Senator from Alexandria had the right
20 repeat anything mat transpired III
that meeting, being bound TO secrecy
WHAT A BIRD TOLD HIM.
Mr.. Mushbach said he thought he had
as high an idea of what honor was as any
one present. The speaker then told OF
what had been told him by some one.
somewhere. possibly By little bird In
view OF the agreement or understanding
"A number of senators did not go TO the
caucus on Thursday night.
Mr. Flood. Of the forces for the Dill
without amendment, said he had always
been under the impression that what
transpired within Democratic caucus
between Democratic brethren was sacred,
but that hereafter he would regard such
conferences just as he would the moor OF
the Senate. He denied that any one had
broken faith. In vindication of his own
section Mr.. Flood said that only one eyii
confronted his people. and that was the
use of money at the polls; 10 fid the
elections of this Objectionable feature he
was willing 10 vote for his counties TO go
under the operation of the new law.
There had been no understanding between
any senators in any sense that could DE
construed as contract. III was true tnat
one or two senators made remarks which
might have been regarded as binding ON
scented by senator's so desiring
THE LAW a GOOD ONE.
Mr. Hay was in favor Of the measure
for the whole State, not because OF any
irregularities In his district, but because
after considering all points In the bill he
concluded that IL was the measure III
which were wrapped up the future ana
prosperity of the people OF the state. lie
thought the law good one and If IL was
a good law for part of the state 1t was
good for the whole state. lie was OPP
posed TO ii If ii were TO be applied 10
only a few counties.
MIR. Echos denied that his reason for
wishing a reconsideration was imaginary.
Why was it that other senator's had the
same opinions and ideas with regard 10
the taclt understanding that he did? II
was because such an impression was
created upon their minds. Mr.. Flood
asked the speaker IL any one had made
any such proposition to him, and Mr..
Echols said that that tacit understand
ing came more forcibly from the Senator
from AppOmattoX than from any other
senator upon the floor. though several
mad permitted the impression to 90 out
among the members OF the body who
were opposed to the bill. 1t would have
been right and proper for those gentle
men on the other side to have let their
views be known twenty-four hours
beforehand ii they had such Impressions
M they mad EXPRESSED upon the floor of