Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-01-18
HAY ELECTION BILL.
Animated Discussion Of This Measure
Before the Senate Committee.
DECIDED CONFLICT OF VIEWS
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~, proccdurc-A Caucus N"'
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-",,o,s Yesterday afternoon. when MI
E''''''', .,.o hill. introduced about
nay and Of which a full synop-
n''"' ,oo, publshed in the DIS
ns,ob came up for consideration A'.'r
as,aerablc discussion action upon inns
,,.,surc was postponed.
- hm WAS first read by the cierk
a.. committee Mr.. Boykin poihte"
- - e,ct that no provision had been
- Tor assistance being rendered those
...,o unable from educauohel
d,s,yalifcations TO prepare their paiio's
&c Bav stated that any one by means
~ emblem could tell which candi-
a..e no wished to vote for and make
his cross-mark opposite the name. or
,o,rse where a candidate had not com
rlied with the provisions OF the law
50 as TO have his name printed upon
TIE ballot. Mr.. Hay admitted the is-
norant voter would not be able to
write the name of such candidate; but
the latter. he said. was not really
..bona-fde" candidate. The bill was
amended in this respect so as to allow
the Judges OF election TO write Inc
name for voter of any candidate VINO
did not appear upon the ticket.
MIR. FLOODS VIEWS.
Mr. Flood thought some one Dill
should be decided upon, and then acied
upon by the committee. lie sald the
Walton law provided for a fair eiec-
ton system, and not one OF the dozen OF
more bills that had been introduced
differed from Il in its essential FEATURES
thus proving that the act now upon the
statute books did not need to be altered
On many respects.
Mr. Rovkin thought fl would be use
less to report one bill favorably first
and then 20 on considering others and
reporting upon them. He thought each
should be given consideration. and then
some one bill reported. as expressing the
views of the committee.
Nr Flanagan said he did not think
one measure should be given the right
of-way The present Legislature realized
n that some new election law would nave
4 10 be enacted: that the people OF the
state demanded il. lie was opposed to
many OF the features of Mr.. Hays bill
lie thought the measure which the
General Assembly would have TO enact
10 satisfy the people would have 10
revoutionize the election laws Of the
State.
DON'T WANT THE CONSTABLE
Mr. Hay made an impassioned speech
fsvoring the committees taking some de-
finite action. and that at an early date
lie said: IF this committee has deter
mined they are not going TO report favor
ably any bill which does away with
The provisions of the Walton law. then
there is no use talking about the
other bills. when every one Of them cuts
mt bo t.~fnrinaI features that
and branch. What ! want 10 get at is
whether or not this committee proposes to
report any bill; / don't care whose II Is.
which will do away with the special-con-
stable feature, which is obnoxious TO
every man in my section Of the State,
and believe 10 every section of the
State which has given this question Sc
rious consideration.
1T il a great question" continued the
speaker; 1.-The greatest with which this
Legislature has to deal, and if they don't
deal with ii wisely thcy viii rue 1t.
have no attack TO make upon the
trainers OF the Walton law. but / say
in its execution 1t has proved to be OBJ
noxious TO the people of Virginia; and
not such a law as should be upon the
statute books of the state"
Mr. Flood followed Mr.. Hay in forci-
hle speech in opposition to the views
expressed by the latter He said he did
not agree with him that the special
constable feature was obnoxious TO every
section Of the State. His own. he
knew, was an exception. II do not care
what election law is put upon the
statute.books, said the speaker: there
would be those who would arise and
oppose it from political motives. If we
can reach any compromise that Will meet
the diverse views of the different
Il s.tn Is q
duty Of this General Assembly 10 do it;
and ] think before we undertake to re-
pOrt any measure we should consider
every one that has been introduced
here. and see if we cannot get to-
gether on some proposition that VIII
unite the people Of this Commonwealth"
II was then decided that the fur
Their consideration of election bills
should be postponed until Tuesday morn
ing at 10 O'Clock. The committee will
probably render its decision as to the
contested-election case Of Parrish VS..
Flanagan at this meeting.
\ CAUCUS NOT LIKELY.
There has been a good deal OF talk with
in the past two weeks of a caucus of the
Democratic members OF the General AS
..mbly being held TO consider what
.hangcs, II any. should be made in the
walton law, but the impression seemed
20 prevail last night that no such con-
ieronce would be held in the near future,
II at all
\ great number OF election bills have
been offered, some twenty, perhaps. and
there IS a wide divergence OF views as 10
what alterations should be made in our
election system. In view OF this con-
iiict OF opinion. It is doubted whether a
sunicient number Of signatures can he
secured "a call a caucus. Ii requires
majority Of all the Democratic mem
bers--S
MILITARY MATTERS.
General McRae has called "A meeting
on MS Militia and Police Committee for
tuesday night at s O'clock The bill pro-
posing 10 change the complexion Of the
Military Board will be then considered,
ana a number OF officers will appear I'm
behalf OF aud against II. Mr. Lewis, Of
'ulpeper the patron OF this bill Who Is
hlsc patron of the resolution looking TO
m investigation OF the mode Of eiecting
1ilgadier-General Phillips. has stated
mat he would not press the investigation
passed
LIBRARY MATTERS.
\ Joint meeting OF the committees on
Library was held yesterday afternoon,
and the communication from the Rich
mona CrdyS veteran Association In re-
tar1 10 the bust OF General Malone
heihs allowed 10 remain In the attic OF
tne Capitol was discussed. Senator
Slubhs was instructed TO wr,,e TO the
association THAI the bust was in the
cared for
The House Committee on Roads met
lerday and considered at some length
,oe bill introduced by Mr.. Saunders 10
!tluVe all railroads TO fence in their |
Trucks. Mr Saunders spoke for the bill. !
SnR All Glasgow, OF the Norfolk ana I
W,s'ein railroad. argued against IT, The I
eDininltsee deferred all action on the I
ne House Committee on Chesapeake /
@nu ~ Tributaries decided 20 report !