Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-12-07
TALK ABOUT THE ACT
SENATOR wICKHAM's Bill
He VIII Not Suggest Radical
Changes, and IL Opposed to Two
Legislative Circles.

The anti-Democratic members OF the
General Assembly having organized
Thursday night by electlng Senator Will
liam NJ. Flanagan chairman and Dele
gate NJ. a. Coles secretary. held another
conference of some two hours or more
last night. to talk over what policy to
pursue in general legislation, and espe-
cially with reference to the Walton law.
This meeting was held in the office Of
Colonel John Bell Bigger. and there were
present about thirty out of the thirty
eight Lawmakers who can vote on all
questions, but have not strength sufficient
to decide any The session was held
with closed doors, and 1t was agreed that
the proceedings should be kept secret
The Steering Committee-consisting of
Senators Flanagan, Hale, and McCune,
and Delegates Coles. Sager, Einstein,
VALE and Simpson, who have been at
work in a quiet way-made partial re-
port, but il is understood that no i'm
portant recommendations were submitted
The chief object of the opposition will
be to effect the repeal or radical change
of the Walton law, and it Is believed that
instead of sticking to the "fair-elections"
bill agreed upon in the Petersburg con-
ference they will try and secure suifi-
cient Democratic support TO secure GER
tain amendments TO the statute. The
caucus adjourned, subject to the chair
mans call
Senator Wickham, II is understood. Will
soon present lyo,,d hill RropoITne eonvspsa s9me
ton with a Dispatch man yesterday, ne
said he was not going to make any i'll
advised move. and purposed ascertaining
the views of the people in all sections OF
tie state before drafting the bill. He is
out and out opposed TO the proposition
TO have two constables, instead of one,
and says he will do nothing that VIII
prove injurious to the Democratic party.
His idea, though is to draft bill In
which the various views on the pres nj
law may be harmonized without lessening
its force.
The special joint committee appointed
at the last session with reference t. the
adjustment OF the public debt OF West
Virginia will meet at the Exchange Hotel
on the 10th of this month. to prepare a
report to the neral Assembly. III Is
pretty we'll known that the committee
has failed 10 accomplish the object for
which 1t was appointed. The following
gentlemen constitute the committee; DeIe,
gates Moon (chairman) Downing ana
Flood. and Wickham. and Judge W. +.
Rhea. who was appointed by the Cover
nor. Mr. Joseph Button is secretary
After adjournm mt yesterday the SEN
ate went into executive session. and con-
firmed the appointments OF Messrs;
Junius L. Wilson. of Cumberland, and
w. II. Wampler, OF Wise. as superint snu-
ents of schools. Mr. Wilson succeeds Mr.
w. c. Carson, deceased. and Mr.. Wampler
succeeds Mr.. w. T. Kennedy. resigned:
During the rol-call for the election OF
Secretary of the Commonwealth yester-
day, Delegate Vale, of Louisa, cast a
complimentary vote for Colonel w. Z.
Elan
A peculiar coincidence in connection
with the House proceedings yesterday is
that the bill introduced 20 am nd the
law by which Gold Brick Parker escaped
prosecution was introduced by a gentle
man who bears the same surname as
MIR. Jos oh E. willard. OF Fairfax. is
the only member of the General Assembly
who Is auartered at the jefferson. In
conversation with q Dispatch man yes
torday, h laughingly said mat ne only
received 81 per day for MS lap9rs IN
the House, and as he had TO pay that
much board at the Jefferson, he mad no.
thing left with which TO buy cigarettes.
Possibly his brother solons viii enact a
law making ii compulsory on bis lost 10
furnish him with these Ittle smoK.tes'
Speaker Ryan has gotten his COM
mittees in shape for announcement, ana
purposed having the appointm 7nts read
out to-day, but as there is no session
to-day ne will announce them Monday.
Mr.. Crawford w. Simms, the Populist
member from Augusta. will have con-
test on his hands in few days. Mr.
Koiner. who served from Augusta last
year. and who was defeated on the face
of the returns at the last election, was
in the city yesterday, and stated that he
purposed contesting Mr.. Simms's right TO
his seat.
There appears to be no doubt that Mr.;
Randolph Harrison, of LynchbIrg, Will
be made chairman of the Committee on
Iriyil yes and Elections, before whom
the contests will come.
The Office of Judge of the Hastings
Court of Petersburg will be fillei az this
session. and Delegate William l.. McRas
has been urged by "A number of his asso-
ciates i'm the House to become candidate
for the Office. He declines. however 10
allow his name to go before the caucus.