The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-01-28
HOUsE or D~ELEGATEs.
Much Opposition shown 10 the Retrench-
ment Measures.

Rev. Dr.. George Cooper. pastor OF the
First Baptist church, again offered pray
er in the House of Delegates. after the
session had been opened by Speaker
Ryan.
ON motion of Mr.. Saunders. of Frank
lin, IT was decided that upon reaching OF
the calendar all bills be disposed OF to
which no objection is raised.
Mr.. Watkins, OF Prince Edward, offer
ed the following resolution. which was re-
ferred to the proper committee;
'.CBe il resolved by the House OF Dele
gates. the Senate concurrine. that II is
the sense of the General Assembly that
the salaries Of all officers of the State
be reduced at least ten per centum.
'2. That the special committee on Re
trenchment and Reform are hereby di-
rected to prepare a bill or bills carrying
out the provision OF this resolution in all
cases where IL may be done under the
resolution
Mr.. Parker, of southampton. submitted
a report on behalf of the Committee on
Privileges and Elections in regard TO
the election contest of l.. Is. lie Sueur
against Il. ". l.. BlantOn, for the seat
from Cumberland and Buckingham coun-
ties. The report was accompanied by TWO
resolutions. providing that Mr.. lie Sueur
Is not entitled 10 the seat, but that Col.
Blanton is entitled to the seat.
Mr.. Taylor. of Patrick (Republican), Of
fered a minority report, stating that MI
lie Sueur was entitled to the seat.
The resolutions accompanying the ma
jOrity report were adopted.
RETRENCHMENT AND REFORM.
When the five bills reported from the
rA.,f4I ,~av,fftaa IN DafrpnphmHnt and
reform came up as special and c%ontinu-
ing order. Mr.. Stubs. of Gloucester com
pleted his argument, setting forth that he
vas opposed to the bill which intended
To- reduce the fees of sheriffs and COM
monwealth attorneys.
Captain Parks. Of Page county. said he
was In favor of bills No. pa and 2i9. and
would vote for them, but he was opposed
10 the others. II had been proposed that
the fees in all misdemeanor cases be
transferred from the state to the various
counties. but he thought such an amend
ment of the existing law was unconsti-
tutional. Being a member OF the special
committee himself, ne took I'm that body
the same ground. II bill No. 25 was
passed the ate of taxation would have
To be raised in some counties. while In
others it would be lowered. The bills
were unfair because some counties by
reason OF their locality or population had
large criminal expenses.
The bills apparently were striking at a
class OF officers who were poorly paid,
the magistrates and ~constables. Under
the present insufficient pay IT was diff
cult 20 md the proper man to fill those
offices and in his opinion the pruning
knife should be applied 10 bigger offices.
lie felt confident, however. that the Leg
islature was not going 10 do any thing
In that limo and IL was therefore not fair
10 provide that kind OF legislation In those
bills. If the State needed It, 1t should
begin on the top of the ladder in cutting
down salaries. He himself. as Common
wealth Attorney OF Page county was
ready to give one fourth of his pityful
salary and If he did not want the office
hs had the richt 10 resign.
AN INCORRECT PRINCIPLE.
Mr.. Saunders. OF Franklin, opposed the
bills and said he did not think the re-
trenchment suggested in these measures
would amount to much. He also thought
the bills were unconstitutional and pro
ceeded on an incorrect principle. the
| proposed saving was TO come from the
clipping OF the fees of the smallest OH
GERS and the bills would. If enacted, make
me innocent Sufitr lot tHc ucldultS u III
guilty ones. Before voting on those bills
he wanted TO have the saving brought
about by each section of each bill point
ed out TO him n where the burden oil
| those savings was going TO fall.
Mr.. Cooke. OF Norfolk, said that while
he did not intend 10 withdraw his mo-
ton TO recommit the bill. he would have
no objection II the House should see nj
to vote down the motion.
Mr.. Withrow. OF Bath. thought the mo
| ton OF Mr.. Cooke was entirely proper
and the bills I'm their present shape would
| work "a great hardship on border coun-
| ties.
Mr.. Saunders then moved to dismiss bill
| No. 2a.
II this juncture Governor Bushnell. OF
Ohio. his wife n his son. John Bush
nell and wife. entered the hall and were
| on motion Of Mr.. Anderson. of this city,
| accorded the privilege Of the floor and on
| motion OF Mr.. Saunders this chair was
| vacated for five minutes to enable the
| members 70 great the Governor Of Ohio