Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-02-19
THE ELECTION BILLS.
SEVERAL or THEM CONSIDERED
ny THE HOUSE COMMITTEE.
The Coles Measure Reported Adj
yerscIy and None of the others
Acted Upon-The Senate Dill 10 dc
Considered This Afternoon.

Tho House Committee on privileges and
Elections was in session some two hours
or more yesterday afternoon, but the
bill prepared by the Senate caucus and
passed by the upper branch was not
taken up This measure will be taken up
this afternoon, and 1t is thought vote
will be reached without great delay
The meeting yesterday afternoon was
held especially TO consider and act upon
the election bill presented in the House
by Mr.. Coles. This measure had been
previously discussed. and Mr.. Einstein
moved that 1t be reported fayorably' but
substitute motion made by Mr.. Hundley
that the bill be reported with the recon-
mendation that it DO not pass was
adopted.
THE WINSTON BILL.
The bill introduced in the House by Mr..
Winston was then taken up, and he ex-
planned the provisions of the measure,
which have been fully set forth In these
columns. The main features are the
adjustment Of the special constable; Civ
Ing permission TO any elector TO secure
some friend TO prepare his ballot, pro-
v.ded, no such friend shall prepare more
than one ballot in any one day; the pro-
vision that in event an eectOr can find
no friend to fix his ballot, he may apply
TO the judges. and they shall designate
one OF their number to assist him in pre-
pairing his ballot. and that the ballots
shall be uniform.
1t was understood that action on all the
bills under consideration should be post
poned until to-day. and soon as Dr..
Winston finished explaining his bill Mr..
Hundley spoke of the Walton law, and
said 1t was, in his opinion, the iairest
election law he had ever seen. He then
spoke OF his bill, and explained It's pro-
visions. He does not propose TO abolish
the constable feature, but simply asks
that they be appointed by the county
courts. Mr.. Hundiey, in speaking TO his
bill said the ballot system was founded
on deception. and was only originated
i'm the interest Of secrecy. 'I would 10
God" said he, that we could 60 back 10
the days of the viva-voce vote. That Is
believe, out Of the question, and /
simply want to see fraud In elections
minimiZed."
OTHER MEASURES DISCUSSED.
Mr.. Vale spoke to the bill introduced by
himself, and made many allegations of
fraud in his county. He thought the
Walton law too susceptible TO fraud 10
be allowed TO remain on the statute-books
Mr.. Craig's bill was then taken under
consideration, and its patron sketched It's
provisions rapidly. Ii. is framed very
much on the order Of the New York law,
and provides that the ballots shall be
uniform, and each party shall have a
column thereon; that copy OF the ballot
shall be conepicuously posted at the
polls; that the special constables be
abolished, and the ignorant voter select
any one OF the judges to assist him,
who shall so assist him In the presence
of the other two judges.
The committee rose TO meet again at
o'clock this afternoon, when the Senate
bill will be taken up, and vote Will
probably be reached. II Is understood
that only one bill Will be reported, and
that will no doubt be the Senate bill.
The others will doubtless be offered on
the floor of the House by their patrons
as substitutes.
Racing Bills Postponed.
The racing bills were not considered by
the Senate Committee for Courts OF JUS
tice last night, because of the absence
from the city OF Senator Little. They
will be taken up tomorrow morning at 10
o'clock, and action will then be taken
The Senate Committee on Roads again
had under discussion the bill passed by
the House requiring railroads to fence
their tracks. A number of railroad Off
Gals appeared before the committee, but
action was deferred.