Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-03-01


HON. S. w. SAUNDERS.
they succeed. A glance at the House
reveals that all ages are present, from
the youthful member, rejoicing In ms
first legislative experience, TO the patri-
arch with white and flowing beard. serv-
Ing. mayhap, his last term, and who
must find little trying TO his nerves
the noise and confusion always more or
less prevalent in popular deliberatNe
assembly.
HAvD KEPT THEIR PLEDGES.
A prominent and commendable quality
OF the present House is the resolute
zeal with which they have sought 20 dis
charge their pledges 10 secure economy
rotrenchment and reform in all depart
ments OF the State Government. Where
surgery was necessary they have ap-
Piled the knife. and when legislation was
needed they have enacted it. Fresh from
their constituents. well-acquainted with
the discomfort prevalent under existing
conditions, fully realizing from their OBJ
servations made in the canvass that
when the general public require an eco
uomical administration of State affairs,
10 is because the necessity for retrench-
ment is borne in upon them by straitened
circumstances at home. and the
stress OF State and local taxation. they
have reached out for additional
revenue from sources now escap-
ing taxation. and have corrected the
abuses Of existing laws which have
swollen annual expenditures to undue
proportions.
HARMONIOUS AND CORDIAL.
But having commented on the fidelity
20 duty. zeal. Industry, and intelligence
OF the present House, ! must not omit
n0uce OF another characteristic OF the
body as agreeable as IL Is unusual /
mean the uniform and unvarying har-
MQny and COrdiality which have marked
oh the relations of the members I'm the
discharge Of their various and delicate
duties Like brethren they have dwelt
together in unity. Wordy personalities
and bitter personal attacks, alike sense
less and unpleasant, serving no useful
purpose. and leaving ranking bitternesses
which TOO often obstruct legislation. have
teen consp.cuOusly absent during this
session. This may be worthy of the
attention % the pessimsts who are never
weary OF denouncing the legislative as
Sthhles Of modern times, and drawing
uniay1rah.e contrasts between them and
the legislatures Of other days When we
reflect upon the bitterness which marked
the relations Of political leaders and
representatives. In former times, we may
given by this House Of Delegates, that
tA amenities Of life need not be forgotten
in the conduct OF public affairs. The har-
monious relations existing between politi-
ca4 opponents IN the present House and
mo non-partlean spirit in which they
have approached almost every subject Of
legislation. has been due in large mea-
sure % the fact that tho minority party
ieel that they have been fairly treated
ty the majority, and that no effort has
been made 20 prevent consideration Of
any measure which they wished to bring
before the House. Their measures may
have been defeated when once before the
body. bat Il was after debate in which
ihey had fun opportunity Of particpa-
ton
The House and all Of its committees
adopted early in the session a course
Walh was as liberal as II was just and
wise, and that was 10 smother no bill in
committee. II any member wished re-
PORT on his measure ne was able 10 get
u promptly. In consequence. whatever
i.as are to-day IN the House committees
are there because the patrons did not
wish 20 have report. after they found
that The report would be adverse.
REDUCTION OF EXPENSES.
The members OF the House came here
ouced them: they came here TO oppose
raids upon the Treasury. and they have
opposed them with hardly an exception.
Finding upon investigation that the
present method Of transporting convicts
70 the pententlary, was cumbrous and
expensive. they have changed the sys-
TEN, modelling the new plan upon the
experience OF the asylums in sending for
Iunaues The change will save the State
about 1900 a year Pushing their en-
quiries further and finding that in some
quarters OF the State the criminal ex-
penses were unduly large. they passed
bN fixing the fees OF various public
0ilcals on such basis that the direct
reduction will amount to about $500 a
year, and the incidental savings to a
much larger amount. For years the
courts. the bar. and all intelligent OBJ
servers have viewed with the greatest
olsfay0r the antiquated and often alb
slid system OF procedure which prevails
~ the trial OF criminal cases In the lower
courts. and on the hearing Of writs of
eror IN the appellate courts. 1t is the
feproach OF the profession that too
often knayes and criminals have found
their escape from well-deserved punish
inent In the foolish technlcaIities which
nave become engrafted upon. and part
OF our procedure. impossible OF correc-