Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-02-05
SAVING TO BE SMALL.
urnrcrrox or $4,000 ny PASSING
PENDING BILL.
PLEA FOR The SOLDIERS HOME.
strong Speeches Made I'm Its Behalf
by Grand-CommRnd Williams
and others, Hut No Action Taken
Legislative Gossip.

The Fcatherston bin cutting the sala-
res Of State officers, now pending in the
House. viii pass that body. Il is thought.
60 a form 10 save the State about $1,000
yearly.
This was the opinion Of leaders IN the
House last night. Concessions will have
80 be made. but every one will be fought,
and yielded only upon absolute compul-
sion. When the session OF the House
closed last night. the struggle pending
was over the reduction Of the amount for
clerical force in the Auditors Office from
$3.50 TO $3.50 annually. At a conference
Of the leaders on either side last night. it
is understood that an agreement was
rsached whereby the latter sum is to
De Increased TO $500 a year. The bill
win doubtless pass the House In this
form
NOT GO QUITE so DEEP.
The opinion seems 10 prevail that the
salary Of the Clerk OF the House of Dele
safes may be cut. but certainly not TO
fh, extent provided for in the pending
ll The refusal OF the House to trans
ger the duties Of the office Of Keeper OF
fhs Rolls from the Clerk of the House
90 the Secretary of the Commonwealth,
IS construed TO mean that the salary OF
colonel Bigger will be increased over the
amount 20 which IL was proposed TO cut
ii-S75e-but no one would predict how
much.
The members who are leading the fight
for rctrcnchment. especially those who
advocate the bill for the reduction of
official salaries. are doing hard work,
and in the face OF very determined Oppo-
siHon The officials. in every instance,
object to the reduction. and naturally
expect that the Delegates and Senators
from the counties and districts in which
they reside shall stand by them In the
f-ht against the cut. Such help is not
rfanted in every instance. and in one
case il no more. where the Delegate re-
fused to oppose the reduction of the
salary Of a constituent, the rupture of
personal friendship OF long standing has
resulted.
IT Is impossible for our people at home
90 realize how hard It is 10 accomplish
this work." remarked a delegate last
night 1T Is the most natural thing in
The world for the ofiice-holders 10 think
they receive no more than fair compen-
sation. and 20 expect their representa-
tives in the Legislature 10 help them in
Efforts 20 prevent their being reduced. 1t
is extremely hard to resist these appeals
from old friends, and i am not surprised
that some OF us do not"
THE PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS.
Sentiment regarding the cut in the ap-
preparation to public institutions has
crystailized sufficiently 10 make IL appa-
rently certain that the recommendations
Of the special joint committee appointed
20 investigate them will be followed quite
~ -.
lief that the reduction is too great. or the
recommendation too far reaching. but it
seems reasonably certain that most Of
bills 10 be framed on the lines sug-
gested by this special committee. will
be adopted. without very great change.
The foregoing has been written espe-
cially as regards the sentiment Of
members Of the House. but il applies
with perhaps greater truth 10 the Senate.
except as to the Featherston bill Re-
Earding reduction Of appropriations. the
sentiment in the Senate is probably
stronger than that In the House. though
such had not formerly been supposed. 1t
may be said that IL is hardly probable
that the Senate will go as far in the
reduction Of salaries as the House viii
60 so that the shape Of the bill. whsn it
Is finally sent to the Governor, may be
modified from that which il will have
NItu IL leaves llc HOUSE.
THE CONFERENCE NOT HELD.
The joint conference which was to have
been held in the hall of the House of
Delegates last night. for the purposing Of
discussing retrenchment measures. did
not materialize. not over a dozen mem
bers being present. Mr.. Cooke. the chair
man. had TO be in the Senate chamber
20 preside over the joint session Of the
Of hofCaC
and the lateness OF the hour at which
the House OF Delegates adjourned prob
ably caused the lack OF attendance.
Earnest Plea for Soldiers Home.
Notwithstanding the fact that retrench-
ment or the talk Of il. is in the air at
the Capitol a deputation Of prominent ex-
Confederates appeared before the Finance
committees Of the House and Senate in
Joint session last night and argued for
an additional appropriation Of $4,000 for
the maintenance Of the Soldiers Home.
And il was a significant fact that the
members OF the committees paid the
closest heed to the eloquent appeals pre-
sented by veterans for veterans Per-
haps delegate who has gained the dis
tinction OF being one Of the most uncom-
promising "reformers" in the present
Legislature. expressed something Of the
as he left the hall while Major Ran
dolph was speaking:
Il have an engagement and can't re-
main but II isn't any use listening. /
am in favor Of giving the old fellows all
they need"
Both committees were well represented.
and Mr.. Merritt r. Cooke. Of Norfolk, oc-
cupled the chair.
Earnest appeals were made IN oehaI
of the institution and the necessity for
the Increased appropriation by its presi-
dent. Major Norman V. Randolph. Grand
Commander Williams. OF the Grand Camp
OF Virginia; Colonel J. +. Crocker, OF
Portsmouth: Colonel William Kean, Of
Louisa. and Captain r. n. Northen, but
after hearing them the committee adj
journed without taking any action.
Quite a number OF ladies were present
and listened TO the speeches.
MAJOR RANDOLPH's ADDRESS.
The committee was called to order by
Mr.. Cooke shortly after 5 O'Clock ana
Major Norman v Randolph first ad-
dressed The BODY on behalf OF the com
mittee appointed by the Grand camp 10
urge the Legislature TO appropriate an
additional $1,000 10 the Soldiers home.
Major Randolph related In BRIEF the ms
tory Of the institution. ana the part ~
Camp had taken in maintaining the nome.
No member OF the board received cent
ir compensation for any services aho ~
officer of the institution was allowed 10
furnish the home with It's necessary sup
plies. Major Randolph SAD kicnmond
did not have az many inmates III VI
home as had been made 10 appear. These
men who were registered as coming from
this city had come 70 Richmond from
different portions Of the state, ana aIter