Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-02-25
PENSION BILL DRAWN
THE CONFERENCE or VETERANS
AGREE on A Measure.
IT WILL BIZ PRESENTED TO-DAY.
II Greatly Changes the Present PEN
SEon Law--Nr. LetcbeF Discusses
Hi. hin for Educated votcrs--No
New RossIyn Charter Biu.

The committee appointed by the con-
ference OF members OF the Legislature
who served IN the Confederate army. TO
oraft general pension bill. completed
that task last night. and agreed upon
the provisions OF the Parks bill introduced
some time ago. but added TO that mea-
sure certain amendments.
This measure, which will be introduced
and placed on the calendar to-day. with
out reference to a committee, makes
null and void all pensions now granted.
AZ provides that each county court SHAH
appoint a commission OF three, one OF
whom shall be a physician. before which
all applicants for pensions shall appear.
IL the commission passes favorably upon
the application. the latter IS certified 90
the county court, and that tribunal de-
cides whether II shall be sent 70 the Au-
ditor. with the physicians certificate,
which Is to accompany IT, The Auditor
however. Is not compelled TO place the
applicants name upon the pension lst
II he discovers any reason why such ae-
tion should not be taken.
PRECAUTIONS AGAINST ABUSE.
Inus an application for a pension passes /
through three channels before 1t is grant
ed and every possible precautiOn is taken /
20 prevent any abuses.
The bill provides that the maximum
pension granted shall be $50. and the
minimum $40.
The bill will no doubt meet with the
approval OF nearly every veteran who IS
a member OF the Legislature. as the pro-
visions contained in the measure were
practically agreed upon at the conference
Wednesday night. Captain Featherston
who is the chairman of the committee.
thinks II is a very wise measure, ana
one that VIII result in great good to the
state. Mr. Darlington was the only one
IN the conference Wednesday night who
spoke in opposition to disturbing the
present pension list The delegate from
Charlotte is not a veteran of the war,
as he is comparatively a young man, but
ne was accorded the privilege Of address
ing the conference.
For Educated Voters.
Senator Letcher. the patron of the bill
a constitutional amendment re-
curing an educational qualification for
voting, regrets that the Senate refused 10
order the bill to its engrossment yester-
day. though he is apparently not sur
0rised.
1.-THE bill offered is clearly in the in
erest of general education" he said last ]
hight. 1T would work no hardship on
my one, would not interfere with the 1
light Of all who are legally registered on
January /. 1900. as they. unless otherwise /
disqualified, would have continued TO =
exercise the right of the elective fran c
hise; il would have been an incentive 1
or those now under age to learn TO read
nd write; would promote general educa- c
ion, with all the advantages given by the s
tate for primary education by the public c
,hool system, and if they had not availed "
themselves Of it by January 1900, they
lone would have been responsible, and O
lght to have been prohibited from n
oting." e
VIII be No New Bill.
Colonel Barley, the Delegate from AleE< II
ldria. says that so far as he is aware OF
Iere will be no further attempt TO Sc III
ire a charter for the town of Rosslyn OF
this session. He thinks the town 81
iould be Incorporated, which moved him II
secure the passage Of the bill vetoed al
the Governor yesterday, but he knows as
no attempt to be made looking to this
ID. tn
Washington County Contest. re
The Committees on Privileges and Elec-
Dns of the Senate and House held a pc
int session yesterday morning ana con- VI
Tered the Washington county contest. III
.nator Steele and Delegate Campbell
the watermelons, presented CO
e names Of ]. o. Bradley, William Boyd, la
>, and e. NJ. G. Berry, and Delegate oV
innings and Judge w. f. Rhea, speaking VI
r the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. supported ex
gorge Stuart, Milton White, and A. Nc
radley. J. Q. Bradley. John S. Mullins, tn
ID Samuel w. Edmundson constitute the Tic
esent board. The contest was not set
ed 1t will be resumed on Saturday tn
orning. W
" tn