Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-12-03

,Ae recent election-a formallty which
[,msed the Joint session for over two
hours.
The number OF spectators in the gal
i.,tos was not so great as on Wednes-
4sv but the rotunda was as weli-nIled
astb candidates and their hackers as on
.he 6rst day Of the session. Mr.. Massey,
ar Lynn. and Mr.. Richardson were on
land. and attracted attention by a long
o-,nvcrsation they had together In a cor
osr Of the chamber Of the Senate while
,s,, pody was in attendance upon the
,olnt session Of the House.
IMPORTANT BILLS.
The bills introduced yesterday were
moro numerous han is usually the case
,, , day so early in the session, which
indicates that the members are bent on
,s-1 work this winter. Some Of the
closures proposed were Of high inn
,,rtsnce. Among these was an anti
f,,t-bal bin. expressive OF the sentiment
o.,ich has been aroused against the game
throughout the state. II is thought that
this bill. or one OF a similar nature, Will
become q law.
l. was also demonstrated that the
s1.rt in favor Of making the income OF
che state considerably further from the
amount OF expenditures than at present
is rpe. Mr.. Opie's resolution reducing
fhe number OF State elections and Mr..
cookies requiring the payment OF char-
Ter fees in cases which are not touched
by The present law Indicate thai the need
Df economy and of increased revenue
without increased taxation are fully
realized. n
An election bin was also introduced.
but n was not Of an original character,
and has no great chance Of becoming a
law.
Mr.. Reddy's employee liability bill Is
an interesting measure, and, II is thought,
Is designed TO meet the decision rendered
ty the Supreme Court yesterday in the
Houchins case.
Proceedings of the Sennte.
Tho Senate convened at noon. with
Loltenant-Governor Kent in the chair.
Rev. Dr.. Garlick made the prayer.
The Clerk reported that he had re-
Ct.ved from the Clerk Of the House Of
Delegates an abstract of the reports OF
The clerks Of the various courts Of the
state. and on motion Of Mr.. Sands, this
was laid on the table and ordered to be
as Senate-Document No. l. The
Senate was evidently eager 10 get to
business, and determined TO waste no
time on unimportant matters.
Mr.. Flanagan offered the following:
Resolved, That the Committee on Asy-
ums and Prisons when appointed do in
luire into the expediency Of adding TO
he size Of the State farm as the most
economical and practical means of re-
ieving the crowded condition Of the
'tate penitentiary. and hat the said
be instructed to report by bill
II otherwise"
He earnestly advocated the immediate
ons|ideration Of his resolution. but the
pposition Of Messrs. KeeZell and Nor
IS defeated this. and the measure took
be regular course.
TO CANVASS THE RETURNS.
A message from tho House OF Dele
-tes that the House desired a joint
essiOn for the purpose Of ~canvassing
be vote for Governor and Lieutenant
Governor and Attorney-General was re-
eived. and on motion Of Mr.. Flood the
solution was concurred in.
A Joint resolution received from the
louise, recommending that the corpora
ons Of the State be requested 10 give
10 preference, so far as possible, to
onfederate soldiers, in engaging en-
.Oyees. was cOncurred I'm unanimously.
4 bill of Mr.. Letcher, regulating the
Of partridges in Rockbridge
)unty. was. at his request, advanced
4, the calendar. Mr.. Letcher stated
lat Rockbridge had a law preventing
be- killing Of partridges tor W years
Nor TO the passage of the present law,
ld that the uses OF the longer term
w had been fully conserved.
HAVE TOO MANY ELECTIONS.
Mr.. Opie asked that the following reso-
ition be advanced 10 the calendar:
Resolved. That the Committee Of Privi-
and Elections be and is hereby In
10 report a bill TO lessen the
lumber Of elections in the State by con
as far as possible ana practi-
40. State, county. and district elections.
Mr.. Flood opposed. and the resolution
COX the regular course.
Mr.. Opie, speaking TO his resolution,
aid the average cost Of an election In
Is $4,000 or $4,000. and the
state could save an immense amount
By reducing the number Of them. He
hougft the apathy Of the voters was
argely due 20 the frequency Of elections. :
Mr.. Flood favored the tenor of the
es0lution. but wanted a law prepared
nd allowed to take the regular course.
he was supported by Mr.. Morris. The
Of Mr.. Sands's opposition was
the changes would require a consti-
Itlonal amendment. ,
At l2-D the senator's. headed by the
eutenant-Coverno and the Clerk. pro-
.e1ed TO the hail Of the House of Dele
10 engage In the v Of the l
Jte east at the last State election. I
ANTI-FOOT-BALL BILL. .
Anti-foot-ball legislation seems highly !
0bably this session. as one bill a al :
ady been introduced for the purpose of s
evening games In this State, and IT is =
obable that there may be others. The .
introduced in the Senate yesterday is r
the patronage OF Mr.. Barksdale. +,
is the tex OF the bill: 7
An act 10 prohibit football and games :
Ike character. n
II enacted by the General Assem- =
Of Virginia. That from and after the "
ssage OF this act. II shall be unlawful
r any person or persons to engage in
y prize or match game Of football, r
any other game Of like character;
II shall be unlawful for any person h
persons 10 come together and play ii
prize or match game OF football. or b
y other game Of like character. Ia any n
TX OF other place in the State, where p
admission fee is charged for admis- Il
n during the game.
Any person or persons violating the V
Of this act shall be deemed q
ilty Of a misdemeanor, and fined not s,
S than go" n,
AN ELECTION BILL a
he chances Of the passage Of an cleo s
n hin frtroaucaa yqqfarfav ara proha- M