The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-12-04
Proposition Made 10 Abolish The Qfflcs
Of Second Auditor.
PROCEEDINGS OF SENATE And HOUSE.
All the Nominees Of the Democratic eau
Gus Elect ed Except MIR. Ryland--J oint
Committee Proposed TO Consider
constitutional Amendments.


An Of the other gentlemen nominated
by the Democratic caucus on Thursday
night were elected But. in the case OF the
Second Auditor, that Office was passed
by for the purpose OF giving the members
Of the legislature an opportunity 10 as
certain whether or not This position can
be abolished without causing the interests
| OF the Commonwealth TO suffer. Delegate
Winborue. of ROckbridge, was the author
OF this proposition, and his resolution
went through the House after brief dis.
cussion. When the Senate came TO act
there was most interesting debate IN
which a strong sentiment IN favor Of re-
trenchment and reform was developed.
IL may he that the lawmakers will hnd
! IL practicable 10 do so.
REGISTER OF LAND OFFICE.
There is talk also Of abolishing the po-
| sitiOn Of Register Of the Land Ofiicc, and
having the Secretary of the Common
wealth discharge the duties now imposed
by law upon the register
Senator Barksdale is after the Railroad
Commissioner The Senator yesterday in
troduccd a bin 10 repeal all laws concern
Ing the existing commission which, IN
effect would abolish the Office. IL is Mr.
Barksdale's purpose 10 follow this mp
with "a bill creating a new commission,
with greatly enlarged powers. and instead
OF assessing the railroad companies for
tho expenses Of the commission. pay such
expenses out Of the public treasury
4 very important resolution offered yes
terday was one by Delegate Parker, Of
southampton. providing for joint spe-
cial committee 10 consider all resolutions
and bills having for their object amend
ments 10 the Constitution.
SENATE PROCEEDINGS.
Rev. Dr. Garlck opened the proceedings
OF the Senate with prayer at noon.
Mr.. Barksdale offered n bill designed 10
repeal the laws in relation 20 the Office
Of Railroad Commissioner. As he stated IN
the Democratic caucus Thursday night. MT.
Barksdale is opposed to the commissioner
being paid ont Of fund assessed upon
railroad companies. and ne thinkss the
duties OF the commissioner are such as
10 make the office of no value 10 the
people Of the state. il is Mr.. Barksdale s.
purpose to offer a bill creating new
commission with increased powers. The
measure was referred.
CONVENTION RETURNS.
Mr. w. ". Mann informed the Senate
that the House had passed a resolution
providing for a joint committee TO open
and canvass the votes cast on the 4th
Thursday of last May on the question Of
calling "A constitutional convention. The
Senate concurred i'm this action and Mes
Sis. Letcher and Tate were named as the
committee on the part OF the Senate.
\ bill was introduced by Mr.. Letcher
providing that each town in which any
bank. either national or State. Is located
may tax all the shares Of stock issued by
such bank so located within the limits
at the same rate as IS assessed upon
other moneyed capital i'm the hands of
individuals
Mr.. Flanagan offered a bill repeating
the act passed at the last session pro-
viding for the transportation Of cOnvicts
TO the penitentiary. The law sought TO be
repealed is that which requires the super
intendent Of the Penitentiary 10 send
guards 10 county seats for the purpose Of
conveying convicts TO the penitentiary.
The first bill passed at this session was
one offered by Senator SouthaH. the
Superintendcnt-elect Of Public Instruc-
tion yesterday to protect song birds i'm the
counties OF Amelia and Nottoway. The
Senator had the rules suspended and this
bill was finally passed.
OFFICERS ELECTED.
The Senate agreed 10 the House resoli-
ton fixing 1880 o'clock for the election
| Of the officers who were nominated bv
the Democratic caucus last night Much
time was occupied by the Two Houses I'm
! going through with the somewhat tedious
details Of these elections. The nomina-
tions were made as follows
Joseph r. Lawess for Secretary Of the
| Commonwealth, by Mr. Maynard
Morton Marye for Auditor Of Public
| Accounts by Mr.. Mushbach.
Josiah Ryland. Jr., for Second Auditor.
by Mr. Blakey.
W Harp1gn Tr for fTs~oa ctfrr- H..
Mr.. Letcher and seconded by Mr. lie
| cato.
George NJ. Helms FOR Superintendent OF
| the Pcnitentiary. by Mr. James.
Joseph W. Southall for Superintendent
| or Public Instruction. by Mr. Flood. Sec
| onded by Messrs. Morris and Flanagan.
MIR. RYLAND LEFT OUT
After all Of these gentlemen had been
! placed in nomination. message was re-
ceived from the House stating that the
| resolution providing for the execution OF
the joint order had been modified 70 the
| extent OF postp0ning the election Of the
Second Auditor
Mr.. Foster wanted TO know why ~ was
that it was thought 10 be desirable to
postpone this election.
In explanation. Mr. Mcllwaine said he
had heard II suggested, that possibly the
Office Of Second Auditor might be abo
lshed. He was not committed 10 the
proposition himself but he would like 20
have the time 10 look into the question
and ascertain whether or not saving
could be made 20 the Commonwealth In
this direction.
Mr.. Blakey could not see why 1t was
any one should think Of abolishing so i'm
portant an Office as this and one filled by
| such an able and efficient officer as Mr.
Rvland. lie urged the Senate not TO con-
cur I'm this resolution.
SHOULD CUT DOWN EXPENSES.
4 splendid appeal was made by Mr.. Opie
who supported tho resolution. He said
he did not know positively whether or not
| this Office could be dispensed with But
| the Democratic party was pledged 70 re-
| trenchment and reform and should re-
deem that pledge. For one he was will
| ing TO begin right here with this office
| and continue down the line abolishing Of
| fees and cutting down salaries wherever
| these things could be done without injury
| TO the interests OF the Commonwealth
Mr.. Foster said that having learned the
! object OF the resolution he could support
| Il most heartily for he was IN favor Of
real retrenchment and reform and the
saving TO the state OF All money possible
After Mr.. Morris had made an earnest
| tax for the resolution IL was concurrcd
IN and the House informed.
The Senate then proceeded 10 ballot for
| gentlemen placed in nomination for the
remainder OF the Offices and Messrs.
Lawless. Marye. Harman, Helms. and
| Southall received all the votes cast and
were duly declared elected.