Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-12-05
TO APPLY THE KNIFE
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY DETER
MINED TO CUT DOWN EXPENSES.
MEASURES LOOKING 70 THAT RESULT
House Resolution Referred fn the
senate, and a New One Proposed
Tax Must lie Paid on Charter Ex-
teHsions-Telcernm from Daniel.

introduced in each house Resolutions
were offered In both the Senate and
House and adopted in the latter provid-
ing for committee 10 look into
The feaS, -cy OF abolishing the Office Of
Second AuoItor. and steps were taken to
secure information. which Will be useful
In considering various schemes looking
10 reforms.
The Senate received the joint resolu-
tons adopted by the House providing
fo- the appointment OF committees on
retreachmont and constitutional amend
meats, but showed that 1t did not pro-
pose 10 enter upon the work of reforma-
ton too hastily by refusing to adopt
them under a suspension of the rules.
and referring them to the regular COM
rttces. Every senator who spoke on the
resolutions. however emphasized his de-
sire for retreuchment.
The passage by the House OF Mr..
Cookies bill requiring corporations TO
pay the original Zee at every extension
,r renewal OF charter was accomplished,
after considerable debate, and will proba-
bly, receive some strong opposition in the
Senate.
the initial step was taken in the House
looking 10 so amending the Constitution
as 20 do away with the May elections
and elect district officers in November.
The Day In the Senate.
when Lter enant-Governor Kent called
the Senate to order at noon the number
OF members in their seats was much less
than on any day Of this session. so far.
In the invocation. Rev. J. II. Garlick,
D. D., asked the blessing Of God upon
"IIis servant, the President OF the
United States. In the hour Of his sore
affection be his comforter and his guide,
and let his sorrow be for his eternal
good"
The four resolutions from the House,
looking 10 retrenchment and amending
the Constitution so as to reduce the cost
OF government were referred TO the proper
COMMITTEES. One Of these resolutions pro-
1des for q special joint committee to
recommend retrenchment legislation. an
other for a committee 10 investigate and
report how criminal expenses may be
reduced the third for a committee on
reduction Of the expenses of the State,
and the fourth for a committee on consti-
tutional amendments. All of these are
10 10 special joint committees.
TO NOTIFY THEM.
A resolution 10 appoint a committee
Of two from tho Senate to act with a
committee Of three from the House. to
notify Hon. ]. Hoge Tyler and Hon.
Edward Echols of their election to the
ofIices Of Governor and Lieutenant-Gov-
trnor, respectively, was agreed to- and
Messrs. Flood and Tate were appointed
members OF the committee on the part
of the Senate.
There was an effort made to have all
the Joint resolutions from the House
agreed TO under suspension Of the rules, |
but Mr.. Morris, while saying he was as |
in favor Of economic legislation |
as any senator. urged that it be not done |
in a hurry and the resolutions were re-
ferred 10 appropriate committees.
ABOLITION OF OFFICES.
Mr.. Blakey introduced a resolution to |
induire into the advisability Of abolish |
ing the Office Of Second Auditor. He |
said he wanted reforms, and possibly |
looping Off in the direction Of economy, |
but did not want the State TO suffer. lie
was willing to have the committee inves-
tgate the advisability of abolishing any |
Of the basement offices, suggestion Of
fered by Mr.. Opie.
Again Mr.. Morris opposed haste, Mr..
Blakey wanting his resolution adopted
under a suspension OF the rules, and
urged that the resolution go to the regu-
lar committee. which. he said, would be
appointed Monday, he understood. He
said the Senate was not being treated
as a coordinate branch of government
by the House, in that the number OF
senators on the committees proposed was
less than the number of delegates. and
he thought that senators should make
some sort Of stand for the dignity Of the
body
Mr.. Sands wanted the resolution to
take the regular course, and this was
agreed 10.
INFRINGEMENT RESOLUTION.
Mr.. Mason offered the following which
was referred BE it resolved by the
Senate and House Of Delegates, That
the President OF the Senate shall ap-
point special committee Of five on the
part OF the Senate and that the Speaker
OF the House shalaappoint also COM
mittee Of five on the part of the House,
which two committees shall constitute
a joint committee. whose duty shall be
% make an examination and investiga- |
tion into the various departments OF
government (State, county, and munich
PAD for the purposes Of retrenchment |
and curtailing expenses, and TO report
By bill or otherwise And be 1t further
Resolved, That H. on said eXamina- |
lon, said joint committee shall consider
that amendments TO the Constitution will
be necessary 10 obtain the objects
and purposes Of this resolution, the said
shall report such amendments
10 the General Assembly for approval, |
according 70 law.
Mr. Flanagan was granted leave OF abb
ience for two days.
BILLS PRESENTED AND REFERRED.
The following bills were introduced and
properly referred:
BY Mr. ClaytOr To require clubs and ,
10 obtain license to sell, dis
'ense, distribute. or give away wines
md ardent spirits. malt liquors, or any !
mixture thereof. alcoholic bitters. bitters ,,
alcohol or fruits preserved in
lrdent spirits.
BY Mr. Lowry: To amend and re-
'nact an act entitled an act TO make
husband and wife competent witnesses !
or or against each other In civil cases. 1
.pproved March 5. 1891, and the title of q
aid act
BY Mr. Maynard: To authorize the
'ale of an estate real or personal, given =
BY deed or will 10 person for life with Z
vested remainder to another, whether q
he vested remainder-man be an infant I
" an adult. y
BY Mr.. Clayton: For the relief OF C. 4
3. Beamer. S. J. Fisher. NJ Goldberg. h
Ella Morgan, l.. Shere. J. w. Richard I
on, and /. Greenspon. @
BY same: To allow correction OF as =
essment In cases where land is assessed r
o the proper owner, and at the same | n