Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-12-07
ABOLISH OR COMBINE.
JOINT COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER
THE REDUCTION OF OFFICES.
HAVE A BOARD OF EQUALIZATION.
Mr. sands Presents n Bill Looking to
More Equitable Taxation - MIR.
Kixer's Plan for Bureau of Labor
Statistics.
Statistics.

determination OF this Legislature 10 make
a record for hard work. and good WORK
From the very beginning the members
have given evidence OF an earnest desire
TO legslate in the interest OF economy
and for the good OF Taxpayers. Yester-
day was no exception TO the rule.
The resolution offered by Senator Opie
Yesterday. desiring information from the
Auditor regarding the revenues OF the
State and the expenditures, together with
the probable income and outlay, was
what might be termed the first measure
aimed ut the practical institution of re-
trenchment reforms. While the Senate
refused to adopt the resolution under
suspension of the rules. the debate indi-
Gated that the sentiment in favor of re-
trenchment is as general as supposed.
A bill. introduced by Senator Sands, pro-
viding for n commission for the equali-
zation of taxes as between real and per-
sonal properly, and the more nearly just
assessment of real estate, is the most I'M
portant of the session, thus far. It's re-
suits, IL adopted, will more or less affect
nearly every property-holder In the state,
whether such property be real or per
sonal Mr.. Sands thinks his measure Will
be enacted into law.
The charter-fee bill of Mr.. Cooke passed
by the House yesterday, whose provisions
have been noted at length, is regarded
by its patron and many of its supporters
as of great Importance. Mr.. Cooke was
at work among the senators yesterday
urging them to help pass the bill.
The repeal of the general game law
passed by the last Legislature was et-
fected yesterday by the passage through
the House of Senator Floods bill, which
provides that the killing of partridges,
except in the counties named in the bill,
shall be made lawful during the regular
game season--fIom October 18th to Feb
ruary 18th. The law repealed by this act
was passed by the last Legislature and
approved January q, 1896. 1t prohibited
the killing of partridges in the State Tor
two years, and was designed to allow the
birds time to increase after the excep-
tlonally hard winter of lSS4-95, when they
were nearly all destroyed.
The bill introduced in the House by MIR.
Kizer, providing for the establishment
of a bureau of labor statistics, such as
those in many of the States, will receive
general attention from workingmen. The
patron of the bill thinks 1t provides for
a long-felt need.
Among other important bills offered in
the House were two by Mr.. Folkes/in the
interest of organized labor, and one by
Mr.. Smith. of NORTHAMPTON, designed TO
prevent the operation of trusts in Viz
ginia-
The Day in the Senate.
Only twenty-six senator's were present
when ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Kents gave
called the body TO order at noon yester
day. Rev. Thomas II. Campbell, of Ash
land, made the opening prayer, in which
he thanked God that the party in power
was the party of the people
The following joint resolutions were re
ceived from the House and referred:
Calling on the Auditor of Public Ac-
counts for information as to salaries now
paid by the various cities and counties
to certain officers.
Appointing a committee to inquire anC
report whether the interest of the Com
monwealth will be promoted by the
abolition of the office of Second Auditor
or any clerk or clerks.
A BILL PASSED.
Mr.. Kane introduced and had passed
under a suspension of the rules bill
relating to the compensation Of the
supervisors of the counties of Scott, Lee
and Wise. Owing to a Typographical
error in the printed law, the salary Of
these officials was made to be $40 pei
day. Mr.. Kane's bill fixes it at 50 pei
diem.
AS TO INCOME AND EXPENSES.
The following was offered by Mr.. Opie
Be it resolved, That the Auditor o
Public Accounts be. and is hereby, in
structed TO report to the Senate as fol
lows
/. The amount of funds now in tn
State Treasury.
2. The amount of annual revenue o
the State.
9. The amount of annual expenditure
of the State.
4. What amount will be required t.
meet the interest on the State debt du
and payable in the year 1901.
Mr.. Opie wanted the resolution con
sidered under a suspension of the rules
but Mr.. Keezell objected, on the groun'
that all the information which the reso
luton sought was contained in the Audi
tors report.
Mr.. Opie. in a rather heated manner
said he was surprised TO find such
large number of senators opposed to al
efforts TO get enlightenment as to the re
sources of the State, and its expenses
without which it would be impossible t
proceed intellgently towards cuttin
down expenses. His motion to pas
under a suspension of the rules was los
and the resolution went 10 the Committe
| on Finance and Banks.
INTRODUCED AND REFERRED.
| The following bills were introduced an
| referred
BY Mr.. Keezell: To prevent deception
| and manufacture and sale Of limitation
| butter.
BY Mr. Ope: To relieve certain legatee
and devisees Of Miss Mary j. Baldwin, o
Stanton. from the operation Of the ac
approved February IA. 1896, imposing a Ia
on collateral inherltances, etc.
ELECTION OF SENATOR.
| A message was received from the Hous
j stating that that body had adopted a joir
resolution providing for a joint session 70
| the election of United States Senator o
Tuesday, December l4th. The Senate vote
TO concur in the resolution.
The Joint resolution received from IN
| House providing that the two bodies, sil
ting separately, go into the election G
basement officers at 1890 o'clock was cor
| CURED in.
Mr.. St. Clair nominated Mr.. j. w. Ricf
ardson, OF Smyth, for the position {
Register of the Land ONCE, and Mr.. Kan
seconded the nomination.
MIR. Morris nominated General James
Hill, Of Albemarle, for reelection to IN
office of Railroad Commissioner.
Mr. Sands presented the name of Car
J tain j. II. O'Bannon as candidate fo
reelection to the Office of Superintendent