The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-01-21
MdNY mus PISSED.
The House Getting Down to Work-Lia-
bility Of Railroads.

bility of Railroads.
The session Of the House Of Delegates
opened yesterday at noon. with prayer
by Rev b.. W c. Starr of Broad
Street Methodist church
a message was received from Cover
nor OFeman, stating to the House that
he had been officially informed of the
death of Hon. Taylor Berry. late judge
OF the Fifth judicial circuit and for a
number of years member of tho General
Assembly.
House bin No. ISL. allowing Joseph a..
Fudge. treasurer OF Allegheny county,
further time 20 collect tax tickets, was
sent back to the committee, on motion
OF Mr.. Rinehart.
House bin No. ~. amending the law
as TO the regulation of the sale and purify
of commercial fertilizers. and the guar
antee and condition upon which they are
sold. and fixing the penalties incurred for
violations of the same was passed Dy
until Wednesday.
Colonel John bell Bigger read letter
from Mr., r. A. Dunlop, secretary OF the
Chamber of Commerce. stating mat full
dress suits will not be worn at the BAN
Quet that is 10 be given 10 the members
OF the General Assembly. at the jefferson
Hotel on next Thursday evening.
Three days leave of absence was grant
cd to Mr.. Mccain, of FREDERICK.
The following bills We're reported IA
vorably An the House yesterday, from the
Committee on Courts of Justice.
A bin allowing fourth-class postmas-
tiers to bee notaries.
A bin allowing the court or jury try
ing cases of carrying concealed weapons
TO impose imprisonment as wel as me
ia cases of conviction.
4 bul 10 protect houscholdcrs from as
sinnment of claims against them, 10 be
presented in courts OF other states.
A bill concerning rents and recovery or
same. with the recommendation mat IL
DO not pass.
\ bul amending section 1901 Of the Code
i'm relation TO selling liquors Wlthin three
miles OF camp-meeungs.
LIABILITY OF RAILROADS.
The hrst bin to raise any discussion
among those that came up On their Sec
ond reading was House bih NO. ~i-' OF
which Nj saunders, OF Franklin, a. the
patron. The bin seeks TO amend section
los Of the Code Of Virginia in relation to
raHroad companies enclosing .her road
boas with fences and erecting cattle
guards
Mr. Saunders explained that The bin
was intended to enlarge tine duties OF the
railroad companies in regard 60 Tire tenc-
ing of their tracks SO ass 10 make u ade-
ouate to the public needs. 40 present the
railroad companies are only required to
fsnce i'm their tracks within fenced fields
'rhe law as il stands on the statue book
! of mis- State falls far short of the laws
~ other States. where the companies are
/ comp.!led to fence IN their entire tracks
| me nill simply imposes the responsibility
( Of fencing their tracks upon the com
nanies. If they fail 90 do so they are
NOT guilty OF a misdemoanor. but become
/ liable for losses caused by the killing OF
stock.
Dr. Powell Of Brunswick, opposed the
measure. which he thought asked Toe
much of the railroad companies. In ms
/ opinion IL was the duty OF the owners ol
| stock 10 keep the animals of the tracks.
MIR. Keesee. OF Halifax. thought II was
a good bill. especially for counties Wnei'
/ no fence law existed and where the stock
/ had a right to run from one field into
another.
Mr.. Harrison. Of Lynchburg. thought
/ the effect Of the bill would be to make
railroad companies absolutely liable fol-
| the killing of stock This was Unfair
| for a man might take advantage OF such
n law and drive worthless stock on the
! tracks al night and have II killed BY
| trains I'm order TO claim heavy damages
| 1t was unfair TO put any unjust burdei