The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-12-02
Senate and House are Organized and
Ready lOF Work.
4 LARGE CROWD At THE CAPITOL.
Many Spectators Were on Hand to See the
Law-Makers Enter I pom the Discharge
ofIbeir Duties--A Few Bills offered
and Two Discussed by senator's

There was a big crowd about the capt.
tol long before the hour or noon arrived.
| Members of the General Assembly began
70 appear in their seats as early as 70
o'clock. some were busily engaged IN
writing letters and others chatted with
| their neirhbors. As "a rule those SEN
ators and delegates who served during
1 the last session did not reach the capl-
toi until shortly before z O'Clock.
Nearly au Of the space in the lobby be-
/ tween the senate Chamber and Hall of
the House Of Delegates was occupied hy
| candidates Tor Office. their friends and
/ hy those who desired simply 90 see what
! was going on.
| Before noon the galleries began 20 fl
up with visitors ana spectators crowded
! into the space, before The ratings In each
/ ol the legislative ro0ms.
THE SENATE CONVESES
Governor Kent was one ot
the early arrivals a. the Senate Cham
Der. ana held an informal reception.
shaking hands with his admirers ana
chatting pleasantly with them until the
/ time arrived o. call the Senate 10 order.
/ Handsome floral designs We're or the
I desks occupied by Senators Boykin and
Maynard. They were sent with the COM
plments ~ Mrs Joseph T. Lawless.
When the senate clock indicated the
hour of uU0l Lieutenant 81 Governor Kent
asconded o. the presiding officer seat
and wlth one rap Of the gavel called the
body 20 order lie senators VIII De
seated. said hc. and then De beckOne4
10 Rev. Dr. j. r. Garlick. who came for
ward and offered an earnest prayer
The clerk will read a communication
from the Secretary o. the Common
wealth. said the Leutenaut-Governor.
d HHIHH | . u
which certified as 10 who were elected
10 the Senate Ju The second o. Novem-
ber The rOll was then called and an the
senators Were present.
CLERK Button low administered the
oath Of office 10 the newly-eiectcd sena-
tors. they appearing 40 his desk 900
patches ~ four. This duty having been
performed Mr. Wickham offered a res0lu-
tiou providing FOR the adoption ~ the
rules OF The last Senate. Mr. Withers
proposed au ameudmcnt 60 the erect tnar
Rule % br amended 80 that when Ia mo-
tion is made 90 discharge committee
from Che consideration OF a biI MAORI
y of The senators present shall Dee sli-
lCient 10 discharge such committee.
Mr Nilklem accepted this amendment,
and the resolution was adopted.
NOMINATING SPEECHES.
Then the presiding officer announced
that The next business lu order was the
election of officers. AIR sands presented
tl- name ot senator N4CkAam lpf llf-l-
dent pro tenn. All ~ the senators ~ all
political faiths voted for Mr Wickham-
Nr. Joseph button was placed ln rOmi-
nation for clerk bg Mr Mcliwalue. and
an the senators voted for him.
Mr EggleSfou named Mr. Frank b.
Watkins for Sereeant-at-arms and Mr.
Barnes placed the name ~ Dr. ~. O.
Nunu before The body for do0r-keeper.
Not vote was cast against either oI
these gentlemen.
Nr. Sands offered q resolution providing
that Henry jefferson Durrett, % Abe
marie. Curtis Quarles Of Bedford. Wm.
NJ Andrews. OF Portsmouth. and Will
liam r.. Foster Of Richmond be tie sen
ate paccs. This was agreed Co.
Mr.. Rork.l was appointed to rotif
the House that the Senate Was organized
and ready for business. lt Was lot long
before Mr. Parks brought message irom
1.-THE House 90 the effect that tnat iplF
was also organized and ready 10 pro-
coed 10 work
TIE GOVERNOR MESSAGE.
Mr. Wickham offered a joint resolution
providing for committee oi thfee sena-
tors and 1--WE delegates 90 walt Oh The
Governor and inform him tnat The Gene
rl Assembly was in session ana ready
20 receive any communication from him.
This was adopted anl me cuall appointed
Mcssrs. Mlcklam Mushback. and Fair
FAX the committee ol the part ~ ile
la-r. This cou mltfee very soon report
Governor would communicate Win lAe
General Assembly 30 writing.
A-r. 4-. il. llesttrWan. private socre-
tary o. tlc Governor delivered
Gro fhc senate Ills EXcelency5 8
general message 90 the Leslsla-
iuro also special message annolnc-
ing certain vacancies that occurred in
various ludgsl.ps during The vacation az
the LEGISLATURE. and how they bad been
filled Ihe General Message was laid ol
.he table and ordered 90 Doe printed.
Nj Withers had the distinction OF Of
fering the nrst hLl This measure amends
the act prescribing "the mode ly which
unpaid subscriptions o. ic.nt stock CONF
Ianics. their receivers, or assignee
Mr. Ople presented Cd h.l to amend Che
same act. and DC was also referred.
DELINQUENT LAND ACT
There was an interesting debate over
q bin presented hy Air. Clayton to repea.
the act iu relation to delinquent lands
bought in the name of the Common
wealth. Mr Claytor asked for the Inn
mediate Consideration of the measure,
saying the present law was working "a
great hardship upon the people ~ Roa-
noke. and relief was needed at once. He
said the iand-grabber was on hand reany
90 take the property from poor people
and would 90 30 unless the Legislature
should repeal this law without delay.
The Legislature could IN few days pass
a bin that would protect the Common
wealth and 40 the same time not bear
10 hard upon the people.
Nessrs Foster Flanagan. and Turn
bull supported the bill and urged its im-
mediate passage.
Mcssrs Wlckham and Withers. while
in sympathy With the object Of the bin.
did not think so important a measure
should b. PASSED without an opportunity
being eiyen for its most careful consif-
GRAFTON.
on Mr. Boykins motion it was decided
20 refer this bill 10 a special committee
Of five with Instructions 20 report on IL
Tomorrow. This committee Is as fol-
lows. Mcssrs. Boykln Wickham. Turn
bull. McIlwaine and Mushbach.
To KILL PARTRIDGEs.
Mr. Flood offered bin 90 repeal the
set passed at the last session prohibit
ing the killing ~ partridges In Virginia.
lie said the object sought 70 De- obtained
by that law had been reached. and the
act was being violated an over Virginia.
lie asked that the bill be placed on the
calendar
Mr. Morris was opposed % the passage
Of this bill The people In this district
were IN favor 81 The law. The Senator
said he would not fight q bin that ex-
cepted Albemarle and Greene from the
operations Of the bill.
Mr Kcezeu wanted The existing Law.
20 continue 10 apply 10 Rockingham
county.
The biii was placed on the calendar.
and when 70 comes up some of the sena-
tors Nii sfeE Co have "a amended 80 as
20 exempt tlC.f COUNTIES