The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-01-05
4 Number Of important Measures 10 Do
Passed Upon by the Assembly.
sOEE OF THE BILLS BGFORE THE BODIES
The Election Measures, ana the h"co
Track, Oyster, Constitutional Conven-
tion. and other Questions to be
Solved-Chsrter Amendments.


are completed. The session VIII lh an
probability extend to the very last day
allowed by law. and a good many I'M
portaut measures VIII come up lOf pu"ii~
discussion. quite number OF lmpor'"n'
measures have already been introduced
and can be taken in hand by the various
committees without delay. There are,
for instance. before the Finance Com
mittee the three bills which are intended
10 bring relief to the University OF VIZ
einia. The same committee VIII also
have TO tackle the usual appfoliiauoh
bill and numerous other measures ask
ing for appropriations for institutions OF
learning, asylums, for the COnieueiate
soldiers, etc, Will have 10 be caieIuiy
considered.
The various election cases pending IN
the two houses will probably be disposed
OF during the next few days This having
been done. the various bills Tor a better
election law viii have 10 be slItcu. III
all probability this subject VIII pe taheh
I'D by "a joint caucus OF the pemocI"uc
members of the houses in order that
general understanding may be reached
by them on the subject This, however
viii by no means dispose of the sub
feet for IL is well understood that the
representativcs Of the minority have al
most agreed among themselves upon
measure Of their own, which VIII De soon
introduced and which is bound 10 create
some public discussion.
OTHER IMPORTANT BILLS.
Another subject OF great importance
which will take up considerable time VIII
be the question as 10 how the public
roads in this State may best be improved
and a bill IN regard TO the matter IS now
being prepared by the committee appoint
cd By the G0od-Roads Convention, held
some time agO in this city. Adduonal
legislation will also be asked for 10 amend
the existing oyster laws, and steps nave
been taken by the various interests IN
the oyster industry 20 agreo upon gen
eral measure which will do the greatest
amount Of good 10 the greatest number
OF people.
Another vital question viii be the regu-
lation of the business Of the various IN
surance companies in this State, and the
recommendation Of Governor O'Fetrall IN
that direction has already borne fruit by
the bill now I'm committee, which seeks
10 create a State insurance department
with a commissioner at its head, ell the
expenses OF which are TO be betrayed
Jointly by the different insurance COM
panies While this bill stands a very
good show OF becoming law, inasmuch
as II does not incur any expense 10 the
State, the opposite fate is likely 10 hap
pen to the bill which provides for the
NRAAAAhA-Nf'tNrf
~-'th tl1ls mornsse-sss.s,se Of v'oon - 10
be the Governor while the other two are
10 draw compensation from the State
Treasury
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.
Senator Withers. who two years ago
made a big fight in the House in favor Of
the holding Of a constitutional conven-
tion. has renewed his effort. but this time
in the Senate. IN the same direction and
ne will no doubt submit any amount OF
the most carefully prepared arguments
and statements IN support Of his views.
A special joint committee has been ap-
pointed 70 consider ways and means by
which the criminal expenses all over the
State might be- reduced. and II that body
succeeds I'm agreeing upon report a
lively debate might be looked for IN both
houses on that subject.
Another question worthy of oonsidera-
tion Will be as to what shall be done IN
regard 10 the improvement of the cOndi-
ton Of the insane i'm the various state
hospitals These institutions Will Of
course petition for increased appropria-
tlons TO cope with their increased de-
mands The Virginia Agricultural and
Mechanical College. at Blacksburg, which
has again become OvercrOwded, viii knock
at the doors of the General Assembly 20
have its facilities increased. and similar
requests may be expected from the state
Normal School at FarmVille, William and
Mary College. etc.
A very important measure in tho same
direction and which seems TO have
rather fair show Of becoming law is
Dr. Winston's hill which provides for a
separate and distinct institution 10 take
care of the blind. which are now being
crowded with the deaf and dumb into the
one institution al Staunton.
An interesting fght viii certainly De
waged over the race-track question.
Those who share the views of Governor
OFerrall ON the subject will express
themselves in favor of the passage of
law that forhids book-making and pool
selling In Virginia altogether. Others.
and among them quite q number of
horse breeders. will take the view that
under certain restrictions betting on horse
races should be allowed, so shat the in
terest In horse races and the breeding
and racing OF hiooded stock might be
kept M.
CHARTER AMENDMENTS.
matter which will be of great interest
10 the city Of Richmond, ana which will
probably lead TO severe struggle be-
tween the conflicting elements, viii be the
question as TO whether or not the char
ter OF tho city of Richmond shall be
amended In speaking on the subject &c
one OF the members OF the Richmond
delegatiOn the other day. ] asked him
what he thought OF the proposition OF
placing some OF the present municipal
departments under commissions. Iie re-
Piled that he would be simply guided by
the expression Of the VIII Of the ma
jority OF the people that gave him his
nomination last spring and az the same
time declared itself against all charter
amendments intended 10 secure the cleo
tion Of certain heads Of the departments
by popular vote instead OF through the
medium Of the City Council. For that
reason. the gentleman argued. he would
be compelled 10 oppose any charter
Amendments looking towards the estab-
iishment OF any more commissions. and
In taking that standpoint he seems TO
represent the views OF a majority OF the
members OF the City Council OF Rich
mcnd
There are however two matters i'm re-
gard 10 which the City Council has agreed
10 have the charter amended, and has
Instructed the city Attorney 20 draw up
ordinances 70 that effect. one OF them
IS 10 establish law OF betterment, under
which street improvements, etc, are 10
be made so that the owners OF property
that Is being damaged by any improve
ment may be compensated from the
profits derived elsewhere. The other
measure Is TO be 10 the effect that the
cnarter be so amended az 10 take from
the Board OF Public Interest the power
OF recommending 10 the city Council the
names OF three persons. from which that
body has 20 select one In each instance
when a vacancy occurs on the Board OF
Pf',se Commissioners or on the Board OF
Fire Commissioners.
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