Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-02-16
v@srS Slubbs AMI Flood Reply 10 His
Speech Of Friday.
PncnER-BLASD
rwo Members of the House Become
Personal In Their Remaris-New
rian OF Assessing for street Inn
provcmcnt.-Many Bills Passed.

The Senate yesterday, after session
of over four hours, In which the cham
Der resounded with the ringing speeches
on the election law. which was discusse'
IN all Its details, finally passed the
substitute submitted ny the Committee
nm Privileges and Elections: and. SO Tar
a the upper branch Of the Generai
Assembly Is concerned. this much-agi-
tated question has been settled.
When the debate on the measure was
opened, the proceedings OF the body de-
veloped into love-feast. and Messrs
Hay. wickham. and Stubs, all of whom
had introduced measures changing the
present election law. gracefully yielded
70 the Judgment Of the majority, and
threw their hearty support to the sub
stitute. Even Mr.. McCune. Of the OPP
position, acknowledged that II was law
that would guarantee to every man
that his vote shall be cast and counted
in conformity with his wishes" And Mr.
Boykin, who said that the enactment
OF the law would Republicanize his dis
trict, and who at first declared that he
could not sustain It by his vote. when the
roll was called stated that he could
not stand by and see his party unani-
mously supporting the measure without
falling In line. and when he took his seat
there was storm OF applause.
WANTED TO AMEND.
The election bills were taken up as the
special order at / o'clock, and the sub
stitute adopted by the Democratic eau
Gus took precedence In the discussion. Mr..
Hale offered as an amendment to or
substitute for section Of the bill, the
how tickets shall be printed. order OF
the Names and provides that device de-
sisnated by the party chairman shall
be printed over the ticket Of such party.
After some discussion the amendment
was defeated by the vote OF % to 5.
Nessrs. Keezell. Mason and Withers, OF
the Democrats, voting for 1t
Mr.. Keezell offered an amendment pro-
viding that the names on all the ballots
be printed In the same order. Mr. Kee-
Eell, In speaking - his amendment.
said this was the principal objection TO
the Walton law In his section. He had
understood, he said, that this provi-
sion was In the bill under discussion,
and II was with great surprise that he
had learned a few minutes before that
II was not In the bill. He objected
strongly to the mixing up OF names upon
the official ballots. and for that reason
he offered his amendment.
THE BALLOT WAS STOLEN.
Mr.. Hale spoke strongly in favor
OF the amendment offered by Mr.. Rec
zell. and read to the Senate a ballot
used In the last election, upon which
the name OF Manly II. Barnes appeared.
Mr.. Hale declared the object of the
ticket was plainly TO mystify the voter.
and he wished the amendment adopt
ed In order to prevent a repetition
OF such things. He further declared that
he had In his possession two tickets.
his name appearing at the top Of one and
the bottom OF the other.
Mr.. Hales remarks brought Mr..
Barnes TO his feet, and he made a
fiery address. stating that the ticket
shown by Mr.. Hale was stolen property
which he was Haunting In the faces Of
the senator's. Mr.. Barnes's speech was
impassioned. and was applauded by the
Democratic senators.
The pending question was then called
the amendment of Mr.. Keezell
which provided that 1.-THE names Of can
didates shall be printed in the same or
der on each ticket and on separate
lines"
To this Mr.. Little offered a substitute.
providing that "the names shall be print
ed In the same order on all ballots"
Mr.. Little, after some discussion, with
drew his substitute and the amendment
OF Mr.. KeezelI was adopted without dis
sent
WHERE NO PARTY CANDIDATES.
Mr.. Keezen then moved to strike out
section 20 OF the bill, which reads as fol-
lows:
ain any county or corporation where
no political party dominates candidates
for county or corporation Offices the above
provisions OF this act shall not apply; but
In such case every eiector shall vote by
ballot. which no himself shall provide,
and each person offering to vote shall
deliver single ballot TO one Of the judges
In the presence OF the other two judges
Rhe ballot shall be white paper ticket.
and containing on the face or inside of IT,
written or printed. or partly written and
partly printed. the names OF the persons
Tor whom the elector intends TO vote, and
designating the office to which each per-
chosen. The judges to whom any ballot
Il delivered shall. upon receipt thereof.
pronounce with an audible voice the
name Of the person from whom the bal
lot II received and IL the name OF the
person Ii found upon the registration
book. and there be no objection made
the said Judges SHALL without opening
said ballot or permitting the same to
be examined, except to ascertain whether
II Ii g single ballot deposit the same
In the ba,lot-box; whereupon the name
Of the elector shall be checked on the
registration by one OF the judges.
and entered by the clerks OF election on
the poll-books. and correctly numbered
~ accordance with the number OF electors
Heretofore recorded"
This amendment was advocated by Mr.
Keezeil. and opposed by Mr.. Morris, and
upon a vote was defeated.
Mr. Keezell then offered another amend
ment providing that an official ballot be
posted up at each precinct for the as
sistance of voters. This amendment was
defeated-ayes, IS; noes, 9.
THE HAY BILL WITHDRAWN.
The debate on the substitute. as amend
ed. then commenced. Mr.. Hay said as he
had introduced an election bill him
self. and now intended TO support the
bill approved by the caucus. he deemed
II his duty TO make explanation He
desired 10 state efnphatically that he was
not tn favor OF the measure Introduced by
the opposition IN the Senate. but stood
shoulder 10 shoulder with the gentleman
from Appomatscx sMr Flood IN every
word that he had uttered upon the floor
OF the Senate regarding an eecton-iaw
lie heartily approved OF the measure now
under discussion, and should vote for Il.
aud make 10 further effort to pass Ills
own bill
Mr.. Hay was followed by Mr.. Wickham
gho said he desired 10 follow the exampls
Of the Senator from Madison He ap.
proved heartily OF be measure framed
by the Democratic Caucus. and would
support II. He. therefore, Withdrew his
substitute which he had offersd IA the