The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-01-23
Ir. Wilhcrs Introduces a Constitutional
Convention Bill.
uOVEMEETAGaIsST BARNES HISTORY
A Joint Resolution Requesting That Its
Use he Discontinued rs Early as Prac-
ticabIc-Proposed New Method OF
Examining Teachers.

November. 10 VIII be rcineihoeTcu' ftno
convention scheme was defeated by popu-
lar vote last May. An organized enort
will probably be made in favor OF the
convention II the bill passes.
A measure of great public interest Is
,he hin introduced by Senator Southall
changing the method OF examining appl-
canfs for certificates as public school
teachers.
me time OF the House was occupied
chiefly in passing bills as to which there
was no objection
The Senate.
There was no prayer at the opening or
the proceedings.
An invitation was received rom the
Association Cor the Preservation Of Nir-
einia Antiquities - attend "A series OF
iec,urcs TO be given under the ausIrces
~ Tho Association IN the hall OF the
chamber Of Commerce building. 'tFin-
ming Friday evening". January = On
motion OF Mr.. Letcier the invitation was
accepted.
The following was offered by Mr.. Turn
bull and referred:
Resolved. by the Senate of Virginia
(The House of Delegates concurrins) that
the Board Of Education of Virginia be
and is hereby requested to discontinue
inc use OIL fdIIfS tA4HA'il VI Ah' Nh'N''
states in the public schools Of this State
al the earliest moment practicable.
EXAMINATION OF TEACHERS.
A bill was offered by Senator Southall.
the Superintendent elect OF Public In
struction 10 provide a better method of
examination OF teachers. 1t provides in
brief that the State Board of Education
shall annually in the month of May APP
point a board of five or seven members
10 be known as the State Board of Elk
aminers. When practicable the members
of the board shall be chosen from the
professors and teachers OF the higher in
situations Of learning. The superinten-
dent of Public Instruction shall be ex-
officio n member and the chairman or the
board This board is to prepare list or
questions proper to be asked of applicants
for examination. The questions are TO be
sent under seal TO the county and city
superintendonts Of schools The papers
submitted by the applicants shall be
forwarded to the State Board OF Ex-
aminers who shall pass upon TIE merits
OF the papers. grading them end issuing
them first or second grade certificates or
professional or life certificates as the case
may be.
Mr.. Blakey offered a bill to amend the
code in relation TO the erection Of whar-
YES. piers and bulkhoads.
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.
Mr.. withers introduced a bill to sub
nit 10 the voters of Virginia at the cleo
ton 10 be held next fall for congressman
the question OF calling a convention 10
amend the constitution. In presenting the
measure Mr.. Withers said ii was quite
evident that one of three things must be
done by Virginia in order TO meet the
obligations OF the State There must be
revision Of the constitution. an increase
of the tax rate or the railroad companies
and other corporations would have TO be
assessed for the deficit that would GER
tainly occur in the treasury.
Mr.. Wickham wanted to know why Mr..
Withers should pick out one class of cor
porations upon which to place the burden
OF increased taxation.
Mr.. Withers replied that they were not
paying their just share of the taxes
DO you know what proportion of the
States taxes is paid by these corporations
you refer tor asked Mr.. Wickham.
II know 1t is quite large but have not
the figures" replied Mr.. Withers Il am
not seeking TO impose greater taxes on
the corporations. ] believe the proper way
TO meet the condition that confronts US
is TO hold a convention and revise and
amend the constitution.
The bill was referred.
TAXES ON SOCIAL CLUBS.
Mr.. Flanagan presented a petition
signed by twenty six citizens of Manches-
ter praying the Senate 20 pass the law
imposing a tax on social clubs.
Mr.. Eggleston presented a similar
petition signed by forty-one citizens of
Clarksville.
The bill offered in both branches Of the
General Assembly on Thursday TO incor-
porate the American Development Com
pany with an authorized capital 5000 600
was reported favorably from the commit
tee on General Laws.
PENITENTIARY BOARD.
Mr. Letcher introduced a bill TO in
crease the number of members of the
Board OF Directors OF the Virginia Pen
itentiary from three TO seven. The bill
gives 10 the board the power TO elect the
Superintendent of the Penitentiary. the
assistants. and the guards. The bill pro-
vides that the board shall be- appointed
by the Governor. an that the terms shall
commence on January !. 1899; that four
shall hold for four years from that date
and three for two years. and that all
succeeding appointments shall be for two
years III Is PROVIDED Nhdt lhitt H'hoVi9
shall reside in Richmond and constitute
the executive board.
TAXES AND LEvIES.
When the bill TO amend section 104l in
relation to taxes and levies was reach
ed, Mr.. Barksdale the patron of the BILL
explained its provisions and urged the
Senate 10 act favorably on It, He stated
that the bill was designed to abolish the
provisions OF all town charters that re-
lieved the towns from county levieS for
road purposes. He said IL was only when
the boom towns began to spring up that
such provisions as his bill was aimed at
began TO find their way into the char
tiers and many OF the old towns came
straightway to the Legislature and had
their charters amended.
Mr. Barksdale went on 10 argue that
the exemption of towns from county
levics for road purposes was wrong in
principle. The towns got as much benent
from the Improvement OF ROADS as ia
the country. Yet. the counties cannot I'M
pose a road tax on the towns. The little
towns had great privileges conferred
upon them. but IL was noe right that they
be divorced from the counties until they
should become of enough Importance 10
have city charters.
Mr.. Wickham said this was a vicious
measure and II passed was calculated to
break up the peaceful relations existing
between the country people and those
residing In the towns.
Mr.. Turnbull took practically the same
views Of the matter
MIR. Letcher offered an amendment ex-
empting from the provisions or the act
such towns as are required TO keep in
order the public roads to "a distance OF
one mile beyond their corporate limits
Mr.. Barksdale accepted this amendment
and on his motion the bin was recommit-
I'D tff ATdA hn oh mig