The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1895-12-15
ASSlDUOSL LEGISLATORS
Cooke, Of Norfolk, and Bland. Of Portsmouth,
Wheltiag Knives for Ferry Bill War.
NEWPORT NEWS WAHTSA CITY CHARTER
a Mechanics Lien Law Committee TO
Arrive Monday AbOlishmcnt OF
Thrcc.lunrtcrs Insurance: Clause
Members From The Black Belt will
Ssnnd Togcthcr-Othcr News.

Richmond. Va. Dec. li.--(Special)--
The bill to amend the charter of the
Empire Transportation Company will
come up before the House Committee
on Roads and Internal Navigation next
week 1t is said that quite Il number
OF Portsmouth people will be here to
oppose the passngc of the act. The
lights much more spirited than 1t was
two years ago when the act was passed
Mr.. Cooke is the champion of the meas
ure and Mr.. Bland will lead the fight
upon 1t. The subject has received very
llttie attention as yet and it cannot be
predicted with any degree of certain
" what the result will be.
a committee from the Central Labor
Union of Norfolk Will be here next Mon
day TO present to Delegate Charles T.
9lnnd, for introduction in the House.
n bill making amendments to the pres
ent mechanics lien law. the same meas
nre that was referred to in this cores
pondence yesterday.
Senator Boyllin offered IL bin author
izing the Governor To furnish the New
port News Military Academy with
small arms.
~ bill will soon be introduced in the
Legislature providing Il city charter for
Newport News. 1t will be fought hard
v.
chief objection To ii Is that 1t leaves
IN the county n large colony of negroes
1t is believed that the Newport News
people would prefer not to have a city
charter If the boundary lines are so
arranged as to include the negro set
tle:nent in question. 1t would be n
serious blow to the young city to have
II under Republican rule at the Very
start.
Thc most interesting bill introduced
IN the Legislature to-day was one by
Senator Thomas n. Williams, abolish
ing wnat Is known as the "three-quar-
Ter clause" In insurance policies In
other words. Mr.. Williams bin pro-
poses TO hold insurance companies re-
Sp0hSiole for the full amount of their
pohcies when the property Insured is
totally destroyed. tits a measure that
IS sure 10 receive very strong opposi-
tion from insurance people but MIR
w iliiams proposes To push it with all
the ability he possesses One of the OH
lectionS urged is that 1t will cncoura ge
incendiary fires, but Mr.. Williams says
IL VIII have the opposite effect
There Is much talk in quiet way
about the proposed changes in the cleo
ton law. 1t is quite certain that the
Democrats will hold Il caucus to discuss
TINS subject. When the caucus is held
considerable feeling will be displayed
II is cropptng out already. Members
from the BLACK BELT will be found stand
ing together. but they will probably
not make serious objection If there is
Il strong demand from Democrats repre-
sentinG other sections of the State in
FAVOR of new law. Ono gentleman re-
marked to-day that he did not care
what was done for the Black Belt would
he found able to take care of itself un-
der any law. Senator Parr (Rep) Of
fercd new election bill to-day IL is
similar to Mr.. Hays cXcept that II
makcsathc Boards Of Supervisors and
CITY Council the returning boards.
The Legislature will probably adjourn
next saturday for the Christmas holi-
days. Quite Il number of the members
VIII visit the Atlanta Exposition. The
railroads are Offering remarkably low
rates TO members of the General AS
semhly and their friends. The law
makers VIII hardly resume their work
until Monday, January 9Th.
Notwithstanding the heated contest
over the Roanoke iudEcship no bad
blood is left. Mr. Hardaway and his
friends accept very gracefully their de-
feat. Delegate Berkeley, who fought
Judge Woods so hard in the caucus,
nominated him in the House to-day
MI Hardaway has sent a telegram of
congratulation to his successful oppo-
nent, and received one of sympathy
in reply.
There was an interesting discussion
I'm the House today when Mr.. Cookies
bill amending n certain section Of the
Code so as to make it conform to an
other section In reference to divorces
came up At the last session of the
Legislature n bill was passed making
the time three instead OF five years
upon which an action for divorce on the
ground of descrtion may be brought.
y conflicting section Of the Code was
not changed and as the result there
have been legal complications. Mr..
Cahcll took advantage Of the opportu-
nifty to make q very able adrcss in
favor of more stringent divorce laws.
Mr. lhindley, while in favor of Just
as stringent divorce laws as Mr.. Cabell.
favored this bill so as to make the
two sections conform. Mr. Kcesee en-
dorscd all Mr.. Cahcll had eaid Ar+n-
Messrs. Cooke and Hathaway had
shown the necessity for the passage
of the bill II was adopted with very few
dissenting voices.
Mr.. Bryant. by request, introduced n
bill to prevent failure TO properly re-
turn marriage licenses, and providing
that the party celebrating marriages
TO he fined for such failure, defining
the duty of the Clerk and the duty Of
the Auditor of Public Accounts. The bill
provides that the clerk OF the court is
suing the license shall, on the first OF
March of each year. notify such per-