Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-02-10
HAVE FEWER COURTS
senate VOTES FOR AMENDMENT
LOOKING TO THIS END.
Must PAY The CAPITATION TAX.
The LcCato Resolution Adopted by
The Upper Brancli-Biii for Enlarge
mcnt Of Pcnitcntiary Engrossed-
salaries of Clerks Not Cut So Deep.

mcnt of Penitentiary Engrossed-
salaries of Clerks Not Cut SO Deep.
me Senate yesterday voted TO submit
mo important constitutional amendments
to the vote Of the people. The first or
these is the one amending the Constitu-
ton so as TO require payment of capita
zion tax as a prerequisite of voting. The
second proposes TO abolish county ana
circuit courts. and TO form judicial dis
trcts Of several counties. presided over
by one judge.
The bill authorizing the erection of an
additional cell building at the penitentia-
ry was ordered TO its engrossment in the
senate. after the amount allowed for the
Improvement had been reduced from $780,
90 20 100000 The discussion of the sena-
torial primary question was deferred until
next Tuesday.
The feature of the day in the House was
the ordering to its engrossment of the
Din reducing the salary Of the clerks OF
Che House and Senate from 81. 800 and
81 900 to 81 COO and Si1OO. respectively, per
year. The bill reducing the fees of city
6ad county jailers was also ordered to be
engrossed. The House resumed afternoon
sessions
The Day i'm the senate.
Rev. c. r. Hyde made the opening
prayer in the Senate. The number OF
House bills reported was very mucn
smaller than usual. she following bills
were Introduces:
by Mr. Opie 90 4S5l: To amend the
Code in relation 10 jurors.
By Mr. Blakey (NO. 435): TO incorporate
the Walkcrton and Mattaponi Bridge
Company.
By Mr.. Wickham CNo 49,: To define the
right OF creditors successfully attacking
q deed of trust. mortgage, or other con-
veyance. for fraud.
by Mr.. Kane CNo. 43S: To amend sec
ton an Of she act to provide for the as
aessment Of taxes on persons, property,
and incomes. etc.
THE PENITENTIARY BILL.
The bill 10 authorize the Board of Di-
rectOrs Of the penitenuary TO erect build
incs 10 enlarge the accommodations at
the institution was taken up as the un-
| finished business. The amendment Of the
Finance Committee allowing the profits
of the penitentiary for four years to be
used in paying for the work was adopt
cd.
Air. Keezeu spoke in opposition to Mr..
sands's amendment. striking out the
clause authorizing the Board of Direct
ors. as far as practicable, to use convict
labor IN erecting the buildings. He said
the finances of the State demanded that
inmates of the penitentiary be used IN
the construction of the building, and while
DE was strongly opposed to bringing con-
Wet labor into competition with free
workingmen, but that This work could
not be done at all unless such labor was
used
Mr. Foster favored the amendment. He
had always cherished a strong dislike 10
seeing convicted criminals doing work
which could be done by honest men. He
thought. also. that the amount appropri-
ated was too great, that the buildings
proposed TO be erected for the accommo-
dalton Of these graduates in crime"
We're to be too elegant.
THE AMENDMENT LOST.
The amendment was lost by the follow
ine vote
Ayes.-AIessrs. Clayton Clement. Flood,
Mason. Munford. Opie and Sands.
Noes.-Alessrs. Barksdale Barnes, Bla-
| key. BOyllin. EgglestOn. Fairfax, Flana-
gan. Foster. Hale. Hartley. Jeffries.
| Kane. Keezell. LeCato, Letcher. Massie.
| Maynard. Morris. Parr ST. Clair. steele,
Turnbun. Wallace, and Wickham-A
TO REDUCE APPROPRIATION.
Mr.. Letcher offered an amendment re-
ducing the amount proposed 10 be APP
propriated from $4,000 to 100000.
Mr.. Eggleston opposed the amendment.
He quoted figures from authoritative
sources. showing that the cost OF cells
I'm If
greater than that proposed to expend
here He made a strong argument
against reducing the appropriation, which
he said would cripple the efforts 70 grant
better quarters 10 the States criminals.
lie said the plan Of enlargement had
been endorsed by the Board OF Directors,
by the Committee on Public Institutions,
and the Finance Committee. He did not
think the Senate would follow men VINO
had not visited the prison, and confessed
that they knew nothing by personal Cd
seryatlon OF the conditions preValAh9
there.
RECKLESS EXPENDITURE
Mr.. Flood said he dsliked to oppose a
measure which was characterized as hu-
name. But he thought such an eXpen"i-
ture az that proposed was reckless eA-
penditure of the States money. He SAID
that he had a few days ago stared thd'
cells holding one prisoner could be erect
Cd al a cost Of $50 each, and was na'y
contradicted by advocates OF the Dill ~
was now admitted that the cells hoidins
two prisoners each. could be built al
cost Of slc0 each. $50 for each prisoner,
He wanted the buildings. II they We're
10 be erected, to be constructed unuer'
the supervision OF the Governor A'toi-
ney-Ceneral and other state ofhcers' as
was the Library building As soon as
men were appointed 10 the boards VI -.
sututions they became their intense par
tisans. and he had rarely kno~n thep' 70
eNpend only the money approorla,su ss'
the building. The erection or the -
brary building had not cost as i'l"pi. 80
was appropriated. but board or N'f'r'S
had not experimental II. lie ala no' D'
lieyc the Treasury Of the State wa ~
condition so depleted as many 'n , =, ~,
The present Legislature had passed 'a~s
increasing the revenue by >"~V' s ~
there would be plenty Of money ~ ~, ~
treasury 10 meet increased demanos. ~
raid ne should vote for the amsnuln~,h,,
OF Mr.. Letcher. not because ne 'hous"'