Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-12-05
HERE TO MAKE WS
The General Assembly Of Virginia Enters
Upon Its Winters Work.
BOTH BRANCHES ELECT OFFICERS.
The Democratic Nominees Are All Chosen
Without Opposition.
Bill offered to Provide for Having
Them Copied-severni Other Inn
portant Measures Presented the
First Day--Governor's Message.


The General Assembly Of Virginia has
entered upon the important work Of the
session OF 1856. The two houses were
organized at noon yesterday by electng
the officers nominated in the Democratic
caucus the night before. and proceeded
at once to regular business. Only one
senator and three members OF the House
failed to respond to their names at roll
call.
The Senate was called to order by
Lieutenant Governor Kent. and the
House by Clerk John Bell Bigger. The
members Of both bodies seemed TO be
ready for business. and but little time was
wasted in either house. A number of
bills we're introduced and referred TO
committees. which have yet to be APP
pointed: the Governors message was re-
ceived and everything seems now ready
for a busy winters work.
The scenes at the CAPITOL during the
morning were not different from those
which usually characterize the inaugura-
ton of a new legislature. The members
began putting in their appearance early
and getting their desks in order, and the
halls were crowded to overfiowing long
ere the rap Of the gavel called the two
bodies to order. The east gallery of the
House and the space without the railing
in the Senate were crowded with ladies,
and many OF the fair sex encroached on
the space set apart for the members.
Proceedings of the senate.
Promptly at noon Lieutenant-G Governor
Kent called the Senate to order. and the
session of 1856 had fairly begun. Rev.
George Cooper offered a fervent prayer.
in which he thanked the Almighty for
past blessings, and beseeched Him on
high to guide the body in its delbera-
tions A list Of the members of the
Senate was submitted. according to law,
from the Office of Secretary-of-the-Com
monwealth Lawless. and the roll was
called for members to be sworn in Mr..
j. c. Green. OF Pulaski, was the only
member absent
The organization OF the Senate was the
next business before the BODY. and the
nominees of the Democratic caucus held
Tuesday night were duly elected. Mr..
Stubbs. in placing the name of Mr..
Lovenstein I'm nomination for the office
of president pro tenn. made a happy lit
tie speech. highly eulogistic of Rich
mond's senior senator.
COMPLIMENT TO MIR. LOVENSTEIN.
Mr.. Stubbs paid a high tribute to that
gentleman. He said that Senator Loven-
stein was an excellent parliameT tartan.
and his long service i'm the Senate emf
nently fitted him for the position. Mr..
Stubbse remarks were highly eulogfstic
of RichmOnd's senior senator. and when
he had concluded the body heartily ap-
piauded the sentiments ne had expressed
and showed the esteem which IL felt for
Mr. Lovenstein.
TRIBUTE FROM HIS COLLEAGUE.
Mr. Sands seconded the nomination.
saying:
l arise simply for the purpose of adding
a word TO what has already been said i'm
testimony Of the worth and fitness OF
Mr.. Lovenstein for the position of pre-
siding officer Of this body. 1t is especial
~ fitting that |, who am now a resident
Of that county which first honored our
friend by a seat in the lower house now
more than twenty years ago. should have
the pleasure Of seconding his nomination
at this time To the old members Of this
Senate no words are necessary to in
form them Of the practical ability and
fine qualities of my colleague for this
position, but to the new members / desire
TO state that for more than two decades
he has been the most active and well-in-
formed of our members, thoroughly
skilled I'm the working Of this body. and
an able parliamentarian. In electing
him the true interests of the State will
be protected. and the conduct of his Of
flee will be performed with impartiality.
There are few offices that the city of Rich
mond request at the hands of her legisla-
tors, and in granting this request you
will be but giving expression TO your
kindness for this your metropolis, and at
the same time be conferring a well-merit-
ed honor on one OF her gifted and practi-
cal citizens.
OTHER OFFICERS ELECTED.
The election of Mr. Lovenstein was
unanimous.
Mr.. Joseph Button was placed i'm nomi-
nation for the office Of Clerk by Mr..
Flood while Mr.. Williams nominated
Mr. +. =. Watkins for Sergeant-at-Arms,
and Mr.. lie Cato nominated Mr. l.. j.
GunteI as Doorkeeper, and all were elect
ed The pages were then chosen. Their
names have been printed.
At this juncture a message was re-
ceived from, the House. informing the
Senate that the former body was organ
tied and ready for business. and a few
minutes later Mr. Cooke. of the House,
entered the chamber and presented reso-
luton, which had just been adopted by.
the lower branch, providing for the ap-
pointment of a committee TO inform the
Governor that both bodies were organized
and ready 20 receive any communication
the Executive might wish to submit The
resolution was concurred I'm. and Nessrs
Stubbs. c. w. jackson, and Jones were
apnointed on the committee. A few min
utes later Mr. Evan II. Chesterman. the
private secretary brought i'm
the message of the Executive. The read
ing of the document was dispensed with
upon motion OF Mr.. Mushbach,. and go
comics were ordered 10 be printed.
THE ACCOUNTS OF TREAsURERs.
Mr.. Keezel offered the following
resolution. which was adopted:
Resolved by the Senate. That the Au-
ditor of Public Accounts is hereby re-
nuestcd 70 furnish this body with a state
ment showing the indebtedness. If any.
Of each OF the treasurers OF the counties
and cities of the Commonwealth on the
list dav of August. 1895: also. what in
II any. existed from said
treasurers to the Commonwealth on the
lst day OF December. 1895"
BILLS INTRODUCED.
The following bills were introduced and
advanced to their second reading, and
referred TO the proper committees:
BY Mr.. Little: To incorporate the
and Forge Granite and Lum-
Der Company.
BY same: To incorporate the Bridge
water Construction Company.
BY same: To fix the number OF board
of directors in a jont-stock company
when the capital-stock does not exceed
10000 This bill provides that the number
of directors i'm such company shall be
three. to include the president.
BY Mr.. Echols: To amend and re-enact
chapter 47s. Session Acts 1s93-'94. entitled.
IAN act to regulate the killing and cap
turing of deer and game In the counties
IF Allegheny. Bath. Highland. and Au-