The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-12-02
Special Dispatch to The virginian.)

The Legislature met to-day 10th
houses are now organized and ready for
work. In fact, some work has already
beou done. There was a big crowd
about the Capitol to see the law max
ers enter upon the discharge of their
duties. The proceedings were without
any special incident. Rev DR.. J. r..
Garlicl1 made The opening prayer in the
senate and Rev. DIR. Moses ID. Hoge
asked the Divine blessing upon the
Representatives. Considerable time was
mated by the Democratic caucuscs last
night.
The rules of the Senate were changed
in one important particular. This
change provides that n major:ry Of The
Senator'S present may discharge 4 com
mittce from the consideration OF any
Dill. A somewhat similar change was
made In the rules or the House
Governor OFerralls message was
received lrl both houses 1t was no,
read to either body. but, according to
custom, was laid on the table 10 be
printed. Those who took The trouble to
read the message said they were very
well pleased with 1t, but they criticised
It's length
a bill was offered In the Senate by
Mr.. Clayton. of Roanoke, to repeal the
act In relation to the sale OF dclinouent
lands. He asked immediate considera-
lion or 1t on the ground that unless re-
lief were quickly granted many Door
people would suffer ut the hands of
the nlanls sIIeti5 sai la scT!>- whole
law could be repealed and the Lcgls-
lature could take It's time in passing a
new act Mr.. Foster, OF Norrolk; Mr.
lufnbuil, or Brunswick. and Mr.. Flan-
aEnn, OF Powhatan, ably seconded Mr..
Claytcns motion to pass the measure
at once. Mr.. Foster said he was
| pledged to his people to use his best
efforts TO get rid Of the obnoxious fea-
lure OF this law. Mcssrs Nickham
Withers and i'oykln opposed hasty ac-
ton. and at Mr.. Boykin's suggestion n
spcciai committee, consisting Of him
self. Messrs Mc1lwaine, Turnbull
Wickham and Mushback. was appoint
cd to report on this hill Tomorrow.
senator Flood introduced a bill TO re-
peal the law prohibiting the killing OF
partridges In Virginia. II met with
much favor, but as some OF the Sena-
Tors wanted to exempt their counties
from the provisions of the act. the bill
went over until tomorrow, when it wifi
| come up on It's passage
senator Cooke introduced a bill TO
punish the crime OF conspirlng against
the chastity of wife
Some other bills were offered in both
houses, but they are l1nimDortnnt
| Senator Ople filed n written notice 10
the effect that when the Committee ON
Privileges and Elections is appointed
ne VIII offer bill TO consolidate cleo
Tons. His idea is to elect State and
county officers when President OF the
| voted for.
| There has not been any session Of
Inc Legislature since the war at which
lhere were so many new members,
one1third of the Senators have never
before seen legislative service and
nearly ,two-thirds of the Delegates are
new men. There will be much trouble
experienced In making up the commit
tees out OF so much raw material rha
Democrats of the Senate. have a steer
ing committee, consisting of Messrs
flood, Sands. Boyltin, Jeffries and Er-
Giestoa This committee Will arrange
the Senate committees.
l'he joint caucus for the nomination
" a cahoIdates FOR the various State
oilcers VIII be held either to- morrow
night or Friday night 1T Will be called
py Mr.. Cooke, who was president or
the caucus at the last session. IT Is
regarded generally as almost certain
that Major Lynn will be defeated for
tile oiiice Oh superintendent of the
Pemitentiary by Mr. George M Helms
OF FRANKLIN. and Col. John w. Richard,
son has big fight on his hands for
ttesister OF the Land Office, his chief
competitors being Mr.. Drummond of
Amherst. and MIR. Lookabill. of Roo-
noRe. The outcome Of the Massey con
test Is still In much doubt. Mr.. Mas
sey Is Keeping up his vigorous fight
ana the opposition to him Is >vorkjn,-
earnestly and with7hope; of s,,cccss =
The Hon. Charles n Bland 'of port.
mouth, says that he has not given I'm
al nope OF having the members Of the
General Assembly see the. oyster {o,,as-
ton as II Is, as well as to learn of tbo
Impoverished condition of the ovster-
men. HIS argument is that the naf,,rn>
rock beds and shoals have been on.
croached upon to. such an extent Nv
those who ostensdb bly, occuny oniy
planting grounds that the b toreinc
grounds have grown&throueh such nran.
lice TO such an alarming small ,rno
that 1t Is impossible for one third nf
the oystermen to eke out q uiserabIat
existence, while the other Gtwo.thIrdsi
with their families, are in actunl fwantH
ooth FOR the proper food and clothinr'
He says It Is nm outrage Eupon TIC na6.
pie of Tidewate ter Virginia. and sstbnsa
who are not acquainted with the ts,,b-
ject should give the mat ter fiji; md
careful inyestlgaticcl before voting to
starvation. -
Clerk By Button, Of the sen
u !,