Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-01-11
FIRED THEIR BLOOD.
Law Makers Object to the Intimation
That Belmont Influenced Them.
THE GOVERNOR ALSO INDIGNANT.
Norfolk and Western Bill FnvorabIy
Reported-Committc Discuss Me-
ana other subjects.

to the purchase OF the Bennings race
track. near Washington. by August Bel
mont. and which asserted that friends OF
Mr.. Belmont had been using their inhu-
ence on members Of the Virginia Legisla-
ture 10 have the tracks in this State
/ closed. in order that the Bennings track
might have no opposition. attracted a
| good deal OF attention. and created in
dignation among some members of the
General Assembly.
Shortly after the House convened Mr..
Maupin. of Henrco. who few days ago
introduced a bill providing for the abol-
ishment Of all pool-selling. either on or
off race-tracks, In this State, arose, and,
addressing the body said:
Mr.. Speaker rise to question o;
personal privilege. / hold in my hand
copy Of the Dispatch of to-day. i'm which
] find this heading: 'Bemonts Big
Scheme The New York Millionaire Has
Bought the Bennings Race-Track, in
Washington City; and it Is Said Is Behind
the Attempt To close the Virginia Tracks
Now. sir. ] wish 10 disclaim any know
ledge OF any effort to close the Virginia
tracks on the part of Mr. Belmont. or
his agents, or Of any person whatsoever,
other than members Of this House who
are I'm sympathy with this move. My
action I'm introducing the bill I did was
dictated by my sense OF duty to the
great element I'm our State who think
with me that this evil should be sup
fnrnecrI Itr Ia af Of
and any insnuatlon In the Fairfax Herald
or elsewhere. or by any one. to the con-
trary, is absolutely false"
HAD NO SUCH IDEA
Mr. Mciae. upon the conclusion Of Mr.
Maupin's remarks. arose and said that
speaking not only for himself. but. as he
believed. for the entire House, he would
say that, irrespective of the merits OF
Mr.. Maupin's bill which he did not pro-
pose 10 discuss no one thought for a
moment that his action in introducing
II was prompted by Mr. Belmont. or bv
any person selhshly interested I'm the
result our acquaintance with the gem
t.eman from Henrico." Mr. McRae con-
tinued, although brief is yet sufficient
10 assure as that I'm proposing any mea-
sure he is actuated solely bv a desire
to effect what be- considers right and pro-
per. and for the best interest of the
people"
AR Willard was next recognized. and
sald that inasmuch as the article referred
10 IN the Dispatch originated i'm the Fair
lax Herald. he felt constrained 10 sneak
TO it, though he hadn't seen il before
lt would seem. he continued. that Mr.
beimonts influence had been brought to
bear upon members Of the House. but
ne desired TO say that no influence of
any nature whatsoever had been brought
10 bear upon him either IN Washington
or elsewhere. 70 support Ar. Maup.n's
bin or any other and his only reason for
favorinc any such measure was the exist
ing conditions which had been brought
to HIS attention.
With this the subject was dropped
THE GOVERNORS POSITION.
The advertisement also referred to the
Governor as having been seen by friends
OK Mr.. Belmont who sought, through him.
10 have The Virginia race-tracEs closed. In
order 10 promote MI Belmont's interests.
" is well-knOwn fact that the Governor
has been from the very first day OF his
administration opposed to poo-seiling IN
this state, and that the movement which
was started year ago By the Attorney
General 10 close the Alexander Island
Park by Injunction proceedings was at
the suggestion Of the Governor
Dispatch man called upon his Ex-
cellency last night. and, calling his at
tention 10 the HeraG's article. requested
an expression from him. His Excellency
was very indignant. and not inclined 10
dignity the statement with an answer.
but stated that the announcement in the
Dispatch was the first intimation he had |
received OF any intention on the part OF |
Mr.. Belmont % purchase the Bennings |
track
The racing and pool-selling question was
generally discussed I'm legislative circles /
yesterday. and IL was said last night that /
representatives. Of the St Asaph track /
and other horse interests were here /
quietly at work. As yer no bin has been /
introduced 70 legalize pool-selling on agri- /
cultural society ana rlding-club tracks. |
though il is well known that such "A mc-.-
sure has been prepared.
Discuss the Mechnnics' Lien Law.
Tie House Committee for Courts Of /
Justice mcl last night I'm the hail OF the /
House 10 &C. der the mechanics'-li II /
bill. introluC Hy Alr. Bland, Of Ports /
mouth. and O. .8r the views Of the dif- /
ferent persons concerned. Mr.. Saunders /.
presid 4. and D very interesting session /
was held. Among those before the COM /
mittee were Measrs. =. +. RassOn. chair /
man of the Legislative Committee of th9 /
Central Labor Union OF Southeastern VIZ /
ginia. Mr.. Charles c. kizer. president or !
the Norfolk Typographical Union; Mr.. G. /
j. Cannon. president OF the Stat League /
Of Oystermen; q. W. Battley, and j. W. /
Shepherd, representing The supply-men OF |
NorfOlk. Among taose repres niing klch-
mond We're Messrs. j. W. Whitehurst, G. !
W. Hardwlcke. Louis o. Wendsnburs, /
Thomas r. Stagg. n. :. Binswanger, /
Fritz Sitterding. and several others.
An hour was given th0ss FOR and /
against the bill TO express their views /
which were numerous ana voluminous, |
and some very neat speeches Wcf made. |
Mr. r. NJ. Hughes. Jr.. an attorney OF |
Norfolk. spoke IN opposition to the bill /
from rcal-es tate-Owners' standpoint /
After fhe discussion Of the question at |
issue those not members OF the commit /
to- retired, and the committee went in.O /
private session. and after considering the |
matter. decided 10 pass IL by.
The bill provides tn3t any suD-contrac- /
Tor may at any time after work has been |
done or material mas been furnished by
him. and before the expiration Of thirty !
DAYS from the time the building or struc-
ture IS completed or the work thereon
otherwise terminated, furnish the owner
taer OF or his agent and also the general
contractor with a correct account Neri-
fed By affidavit, OF his claim against the
general contractor for the work done
or material furnished. and OF the amount
due and the owner shall be p rsonally /
liable TO the claimant for The amount
due to the sub-contractor by the general
contractor, provided the same does n0t,
I'm th4 absence OF fraud or collusiOn be-
tween the owner and general contractor.
exceed the amount OF the price agreed
upon between tn owner and general con-
tractor for the performing Of such labor
and the furnishing OF sucn material; and
that there shall be no priority between
sub-cOntraClOrs furnishing such claims or
fling mechanics liens.
The Norfolk Ferry Fight.
The Senate Committee on Roads yes
terday afternoon held a meeting ana de-
clded TO report favorably the bill 10 re-
..F fffra