Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-02-06
SAVE STATES MONEY
THE PROSPECT OF RETRENcHMENr
LEGISLATION THIS WEEK.
THE REFORp2RS ARE HOPEFUL
The Senate VIII Give the pis-
sfnctfve Character 20 Economic
Irst.tation-some of the Measures
90 he Decided Upon This Week.

the House rested the icSPNA
giving a distinctive character 20 iesisia-
tion looking 20 the reduction OF STATE OK
penditures. but IL is row believed tha'
this responsibility has shifted, ana 'nS'
the Senate carries in its hands 'he i"'e
Of all such measures.
menber OF the special Joint commit
tee. which investigated the expenditures
at state institutions. and whose report
recommending wholesale reductions III
APPROXIMATIONS was the chief event OF 'ne
week in the legislative world, stated 10
Dispatch reporter last night that ne hau
been assured by several members OF 'he
Finance Committee OF the Senate mat
the recommendations OF the report would
be virtually Incorporated I'm the appro-
priation bill. Ho regards this as strongly
in favor Of the enactment Of the commit
tees recommendations into law.
INFRINGEMENT SENTIMENT
STRONG.
There has undoubtedly been a very
general popular feeling that the senate
was less apt 10 enact retrenchment mea-
sures than the House. a sentiment re-
cognized and commented upon by sena-
tors themselves. 1t has been developed
however, that the retrenchment senu-
ment In the Senate is as strong as mat
IN the House in some directions, but not
in that which resulted in the passage OF
the Featherston bill IN the House. 80
that It is not possible to forecast from
the past OF this session what the Senate
will do with this measure, or similar
ones. There IS not reason TO believe
however. that it will be less friendly 10
them than was the House. There VIII I'M
doubtedly be a fight on many features
but It cannot be predicted with reason
that retrenchment will be blocked.
1t is understood that bills will be in
troduced in the House early in the present |
week carrying out the recommendations
Of the special committees report. over
these there will be a great fight. Inc |
consensus Of the opinion OF some or the |
best-informed and clearest-headed men, |
bers OF the House is that such bills will |
be enacted. There may be notifications
but IL is not believed they will be great
OTHER INFRINGEMENT MEASURES
Other retrenchment measures which will |
come up with be the bill reducing jailers'
fees and that cutting down the salaries
Of county superintendent Of schools to
nearly one-half the sum paid at present.
There is very strong sentiment, in the
House, at least against abOlishing this
Office by constitutional amendment. This
strengthens the support which the bill to
reduce the salaries viii receive.
There is a bill on the calendar of the
House providing for the taxation Of wa
ter craft of every character. This will
be voted on this week, and its patron.
Mr. Withrow, thinks there is no doubt of
is passage. IL is estimated that there Is
property Of this class owned in Virginia
10 the amount of probably $35oO,0OO which
escapes taxation entirely. The bill pro-
poses to add 10 the duties Of the exami-
ners of fiduciary funds in every district
that of listing and assessing such pro-
peTty for taxation.
TAX FISHING IMPLEMENTS.
Another new subject OF taxation is the
implements by which the fishermen take
heir catch-pound nets purse nets, weirs,
atc Bills have been offered in the Hpuse
by Messrs. Pitcher and Digs taxing
LItots bul lilS NOHihlllCc VI lJC
House will report Monday, it is thought,
q substitute bill which will probably yield
revenue of at least $4,000.
This tax was never paid before. The bill
was considered by the Finance Committee
Of the House yesterday, but the report
will not be fully agreed on until Monday.
A number OF gentlemen from Accomac
and Lancaster counties were present at
the meeting. One Of these, Mr.. NJ. Reed,
of Accomac tainted from sudden illness
soon after having finished a statement to
the committee in behalf Of the bill. He
was taken TO Ford's, where he was lodg-
ings and soon recovered.
is JUDGE MASON NOW.
Judge Mason-Governor Tyler says so.
The Governor yesterday signed the COM
mission of Hon. John Il. Mason, Senator
from the Thirty-sixth District, as Judge
OF the Tenth Judicial Circuit. Judge Ma
son, in response TO numerous requests
from constituents, will not qualify
for some time, so that he will
continue TO occupy his seat in the Senate.
He will resign, however. before the close
OF the session.
Judge c. Il. Nicol. Of Prince William,
Judge OF the Eleventh Circuit, was
elected TO succeed Judge Keith, while
". |
and did not resign his seat until the last
day OF the session. Hon. Tom Harri-
son was elected Judge of the Thirteenth
Circuit at the Same session, and did not
resign his seat in the House till near the
end OF the session. OF course Judge Ma
son VIII not draw his salary as Judge I'M
III he qualities.
The Committee on General Laws did
not consider the anti-trading-stamp bill
yesterday. postponing it until 8 o'clock
tomorrow night.
THE GINTER REQUESTS.
Mr.. James Lewis Anderson, Of this
lily. appeared before the Finance |
Committee Of the House yesterday morn
ng and arranged to have the Senate bTl
which relieves charitable institutions.
under the will OF the late
Major Ginter. made a special order be-
fore that committee on Thursday. The
meeting will be held in the Senate
Chamber at 8 o'clock p. NJ.
REORGANIZATION OF COURTS.
Chairman John Il. Mason, OF the special
Committee on Retrenchment and Reform.
reported favorably TO the Senate yester- ,
lay the Barksdale bill looking to amend |
ng the Constitution so as TO abolish |
county and circuit and TO substitute dis !
.rict courts of not less than twenty nor
more than thirty in the State. II Is
worthy Of remark that the chairman OF
he committee who made the report was
Friday elected a circuit Judge. IL the
proposition should be approved by the
people, IL will be four or five years be-
ore the change in the judicial system |
;ould be made. and Judge Mason will | ,
9avQ AT least 81 few wars IN nracfda oven |