Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-02-11
10 LET THEN REMAIN.
ldIulant and Inspector General to Con-
iIuu, on tho Military Board.
zxgUsrlen 70 rnn ISrAsrRY.
Mr.. Mcnae Oppose. the Measure, and
Poin,x out where II Had It's Origin.
The Fish Commission Measures
piscussed--No whippins-Pcst.

The Fish Commission Measures
piscusscd--No whippfns-Pcst.
There was long and interesting discus
sion In the Senate yesterday over the bill
prepared as a substitute by the Commit
tee on Fish and Game for Mr. Mason
and Mr.. Lecato's measures creating
fish commission. The substitute Is SINH
lar 10 MIR. Mason's original bill. with
the exception that ii authorizes the Gov
crnor 10 appoint the two members OF
the commission instead Of their oeing
elected by the General Assembly. An
amendment offered by MIR. Mason 1ro-
viding that they be chosen In the latter
manner was defeated. after which The
further consideration of the measure was
postponed until to-day
Tho first business on the Senate calen-
.dar was the bill TO create the office oil an
insurance commissioner. over which there
was such lively discussion on saturday
but. as a number Of senators Interested
in The matter were absent, il was. ON
motion OF mr.. S4dSCits PoA'h y. - -,
passed BY until to-day.
AMENDMENTS OFFERED.
When the special order, the bill -
create fish commission, was taken up.
the following amendments were offered
10 the substitute by Mr.. Mason:
First. To strike out the words Cover
nor TO appoint by and with the edvice
and consent OF the Senate and 10 in
sert In lieu thereof General Assembly
TO elect by joint vote"
second To give to the Board OF
Fisheries instead OF the Governor the
/. power to designate the chairman of The
said board.
Third. To make the bond OF the Urea
surer of the Board Of Fisheries $4,000
instead Of $1,000.
OPPOSES THE SUBSTITUTE.
Mr. Mason opened the debate, and said
that he was always disinclined to oppose
a committees report, but In this case
he must do SO. He was in favor of the
General Assembly appointing the two
saiared commissioners, and not the Gov
ernor, as recommended by the committee.
II was virtually taking away from the
people, he said, which was contrary 10
the policy and theory of our government
the power of appointing such oincers'
For years we had been getting nearer TO
the people IN all things. and the General
Assembly seldom made a mistake. we
could point with pride to our Court OF
Appeais-great and good men; we could
point with pride TO every officer we mao
elected in the past; our record was good.
and II was something most unusual, for
which no good reason had been assigned.
TO give the Governors the appointment
of this important office. He meant no
reflection upon the Governor; he admired
his ability and his honor and his integrity;
but he took Issue with the gentlemen who
insInuated that the General Assembly
was not as competent as the Governor
TO elect. He took the broad ground that
The General Assembly from the
people-was mo competent than the Gov
ernor to make the e-ection.
Some allusion had been made to an in
crease of taxes. If such was proposed,
ne would fight 1t to the bitter end, be-
cause many OF those people were poor,
and finally he would plant himself
squarely and fairly upon Democratic
platforms and Democratic pledges TO re-
duce the taxation. and not increase IL.
SPEAK IN ITS BEHALF.
Mr.. Morris and Mr.. LeCato both favored
the substitute OF the committee in placing
in the hands Of the Governor the power
of appointing the two commissioners, 10
be confirmed by the Senate.
Mr.. Tredway was opposed to any
measure appointing fish commissioners
lie said that the revenue derived from
the oyster Industry at present was on.y
$4,000 and that ii cost the State $4,000
10 get 1t. How can we be justified then.
In creating a new office, to cost the Com
cole Il thAx. fbof
this bill provides that the s. 900 shall come
out OF the oyster fund. but II the oyster
fund is not sufficient 1t must come out
of the Treasury, which means the pockets
OF the people" He said that II was q
new theory that the revenues would be
increased by the appointment of such a
commission.
WOULD INCREASE REVENUES.
Mr.. BUykin made en- imprisoned speech
IN favor of the committees substitute
He said the movement was In the right
direction, and in the interests of the
State. and he believed that in a year OF
Two the revenues OF the Commonwealth
would be increased 10000 from the oyster
industry. IL such commission was ap
pointed. He said he thought it was proper
that the appointing power should b.
conferred upon the Executive
Mr.. Stubs said that he would take n,
part In the discussion OF the measur,
while the various amendments were un
der consideration, but that he was op
posed to any movement appointing a fish
commission, and wished TO be allowed
+ to close the debate against the bill a
the prorer time.
Mr.. Little made a vigorous speech II
favor Of Mr. Mason's amendment. II SCI
no reason In the world for investing il
he 80 t.fx
appointing these two officers. There 4
not one single instance In my knowledg
where the Governor of Virginia appoint
single man TO an office that has
fixed salary. I say to senators on thi
floor that 1t Is putting too much powe
in the hands OF the Executive, and tn
policy of our law was not that he shou
have such wide powers"
Mr.. Flood called Mr.. Iittle's attention
TO the fact that the Commissioner o
Agriculture was appointed by the Execu
tive.
LET THE GOVERNOR APPOINT.
Mr.. Keezell was In favor Of the com
mitsee's substitute. Ordinarily speak
ing" said Mr.. keezell. II am in favor O
placing the election Of officers as nea
the people as possible, but In this partic
uiar case we will more certainly selec
men whose peculiar qualifications carr
out the objects OF this bin by allowin
them to be appointed by the Governor
than we would II they were elected I'm
general scramble here before the Legis
Iatuze.''
Mr. Flood was In favor CT placing tn
appointing power of these two officer
In the hands Of the Governor, as II woul
take the scramble for the offices cut Q
the Legislature.
Mr.. Mason again spoke In favor OF hi
amendment. 81 make the statement.
said ne. "that wa are just as capable I