Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-01-08
PLAN TO HAvESEPARaTEC CARS
Whites and Blacks Given Distinct But
Equal Accommodations.
THREE MORE ELECTION MEASURES
Tive Amending the Walton Law ana
One Proposing n New system-Pro-
posca Library Board-Bicycic
Corps for the Regiment.

but the way In which the bills piieu up OH
the Clerks desk caused that oficiai ana
his able assistants to execute some speedy
work with the pen, in order to make
proper record OF the measures ana turn
them over TO the printer at the usual time.
Among the most important bills intro
duced were three companion measures oy
Mr.. withers, creating board OF railroad
commissioners, and defining their duties
and powers. and three election bills, two
By Mr.. Stubs and one by Mr. Mason.
The body was called to order at noon
by Mr.. Lcyenstein, the President pro tem.'
md the session was opened with prayer
by Rev. DIR. Kerr
Mr.. Mushbach. chairman OF the Commit-
tee on Counties. Cities and Towns, re-
ported favorably the resolution. which
was referred 10 his committee MONDAY
providing that so much OF the Governor
message az related to the Improvement
OF s7s public roads of the State be re-
ferred 10 a special committee, composed
OF fivc members of the Senate and ten OF
the House. Both Messrs. StuDbs ana
Koinsr vigorously opposed the resolution
bSifsg referred to any other committee
than the one 10 which It properly be-
longed--tbat on Counties, Cities ana
Towns. Both gentlemen thought IL was
q bad precedent TO set 10 REFER soch
matter 10 a special committee, and saw
10 reason why such an important ques-
ton should not pass through the regular
channel. Besides, Mr.. Stubs contended
that even II Ii was referred TO special
committed the Senate should certainly
have an equal representation upon IL win
the House. Mr.. Withers, who presented
the resolution, said he did so at the re-
Guest OF several members of the Good
Roads Association. and he supposed one
reason they wished the matter referres
20 special committee was that they
could more easily arrange TO have con-
ference with them than with the stand
ing committee. He said no powers were
granted to the special committee, ana
that. as far as the House having a ma
iority on 1t was concerned, this had
been the case with other SUCH commit
tees
The report of Mr.. Mushbach's commit
tee was rejected, the resolution. therefore,
being defeated.
Mr. Withers then proposed another reso-
luton. referring so much of the Governors
message as related to good roads to the
Committee on Counties. Cities and Towns,
and this was adopted.
THE RAILROAD COMMISSION.
Mr.. Wither's bills with reference TO
railroad commission provide for the cleo
ton by the General Assembly OF COM
mission of three. who shall have the gene
raj supervision of the railroads. steam
boat and canal companies. express
and telegraph companies doing business
in the State of Virginia. The term OF
Office of these commissioners shall begin
on the 1sf day OF April next after their
nd hal m
but the terms of office of the commits
sioners first elected shall be as follows:
One for two years; one for four years,
and one for six years. In case OF
vacancy occurring In the board the
Governor Is empowered TO appoint
successor, who shall hold office until the
General Assembly elects an officer to
ill the vacancy. No member shall be the
owner OF any steamboat or Of any stock
or bond of any railroad or other trans
poriation company. express. or tele-
graph company. or the agent or employee
of such company. No member OF the
General Assembly shall be eligible for
election as a member of the board
The board shall have the power to reg
ulate all freight and passenger tariffs.
TO regulate railroad connections, 10 see
that the public Is furnished with proper
facilities in the way OF stations, and
1t gives the board general supervision
over the railroads of the State. and
makes them assessors OF all railroad
property in the Commonwealth. IL con-
cedes them court OF record, inferior to
the Supreme Court of Appeals.
The bill provides against discrimination.
rebates, and special rates. with proper
exceptions, including excursions, the haul
ing OF INDECENT persons. or ministers, or
doing any hauling for the United states,
the State, counties, or cities. II any
railroad company doing business in this
State. by It's agents or employees. shall
ne guilty OF a violation Of the rules and
regulations provided and prescribed by
said commissioners. and does not. after
due notice OF such violation has been
given 10 the officers of such corporation.
make ample and full recompense for the
wrong or injury done thereby TO any
person. such company shall incur penal
~ for each offence OF not less
than 500 nor more than 5000. to be
rxed bv the Judge OF the court in which
such action shall be tried. An action for
the recovery OF such penalties shall be
in any county or city In the State where
such violation has occurred. and shall
be In the name OF the State OF Virginia.
The commissioners shall institute such
action through the Attorney-Generai or
Commonwealth's Attorney OF the county
or corporation in which such violation has
occurred.
The words "such companies" and "raii-
road companies" shall be deeme5 ana
taken TO mean all corporations, COM
panies. or individuals now owning or
operasins, or which may hereafter own
or operate any railroad. steamboat, canal,
express business. or telegraph lire.
zach ruemher Of the board shall receive
n salary OF 1880 per annum. and one
clerk may be employed by the commits
sion at a salary OF $50 per annum.
The pressnt Office OF Railroad Commits
sioner is abolished under this acf.
Mr.. MAsoNs ELECTION BILL
Mr., Mason introduced bill 10 provide
for the method OF voting by ballot The
measure repeats the Walton law. II Is
what is known as strictly the Australian
ballot system. Nomination certificates
with party emblem are required 70 De
flied by State chairman Of the respective
parties making nominations with the
Secretary OF the Commonwealth. copies
Of which are 10 be- proved and attested
hy the said Secretary, and forwarded by
mail 10 the secretaries Of the counties
and cities wherein the election 10 TO be
held; or after the same has been proven
and attessed.' on the written request OF
any State party chairman. the secretary
OF the Commonwealth can deliver uomi-
n nation certificates TO state chairman
Mo be forwarded as he may deem best.
krhe ballots are TO be uniform and regular
~ In every particular, and the printer takes
an oath 70 print the ballots Ia any elsc-
flon Ia the manner and form prescribed
BY law. The nominees Of each party
are 10 be grouped IN separate columns.
below the office for which they are ran
di1ases. each column 20 be headed by the
party name and party emblem, which has
been certified 20 the Secretary OF the
Commonwealth by the State chairman ot