Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-01-22
THE LEGISLATURE.
SENATE.

The patron OF Cn6 measure Wduo d
! strong argument in favor of the pas.
sage. He told Of the need of some leg
| islatioD, such as most other States on
the Atlantic coast have enacted in order
that the oyster law may be enforced.
| The Senator then explained the provi-
sions of his bill, and argued that it pro-
vided ample and proper machinery for
the enforcement of the laws relating TO
the oyster industry. He thought il the
measure was passed it would result in
increasing the States revenues from
the oyster industry to three times what
it is now paying The bill was passed
under suspension of the rules. This
provides for the appointment by the
Governor OF a commission OF FIVE, to be
known as the fishery commission. Two
of the members of this body are to be
expert in knowledge pertaining to the
oyster industry. The remaining three
are to be selected from some section
other than that interested in this indus
try. The bill appropriates 81 1000 a
year to pay the salaries of the members
of the commission and all other ex-
perses attached to it. The bill now
goes to the House where il will proba.
bly, pass.
Mr.. Withers introduced three COM
panion bills that created great deal of
interest ard will cause lively con-
test. They provide for the creation OF
a railroad commission with wide powers;
they will practically have entire con.
troll of passenger and freight rates,
telegraph and telephone, fix the rates
of taxation and settle many matters of
controversy between the public and
the railroads. The measure is sweep
ing, and is considered among the most
important offered this session.
| Mr.. McCune, the patron of the bill
protecting female schools and colleges
against annoyance from a certain class
of men, rose to q personal privilege.
He said that his bill had been killed by
the newspaper reporters writing of it
as the anil Irritation bill. He resented
| the idea that such was ever intended
10 be the name given that measure. Al
the suggestion of Mr.. McUune, the
Senate fixed Monday next at 1 o'clock
to hear debate on the bill, making it
| special order Tor that time.
Bills were introduced to protect cleo.
tric-lighting and power companies from
the theft of electric current or apparatus;
to amend section 1868 of the code re
lating to the pay Of judge OF one cir
cult sitting in another 10 hold special
term; to repeal section 1851 OF the code
in relation to corporation, on paying
damages, proceeding with work; to
:, amend section 1S4 in relation to the pay
OF officers and members of the General
Assembly. (The bill provides that the
President of the Senate and Speaker of
! the House shall receive $40, and the
other members 1910 for attendance and
service at each regular session, and at
all extra sessions the President of the
Senate and the Speaker Of the House
shall receive $780, and members 800 }
The Senate passed House bills: In re-
lation to working convicts on roads in
Culpeper county; to provide roster of
ex -Confederatee; to provide for open.
ing roads in Culpeper county.
HOUSE.
In the House the employers liability
bill making corporations responsible
for injuries or deaths OF employees,
whether such accidents are due to fell
low servants laches or not, was dis
cussed. Mr.. Reddy, the patron of the
measure. made speech in advocacy
of the bill An amendment was adopt
ed making the bill apply only to rail
roads, and as SO amended it was order
ed to its engrossment by vote of So to
2S. The measure is strongly antago-
uizsd by all leading railroads. Mr..
Barley voted for end MIR. Willard
against the bill.
Captain Parks offered joint resolu-
ton, which the House adopted, il
structiDg the Virginia Senators ard re-
questing her Representatives to use
lief for the people in having some bet
ter measure of finance adopted than al
present prevails, to the end that the
reckless distribution of property values
! may cease aud that the disturbance OF
labor interests may be ended. "Vir-
ginia," says the paper, "calls upon the
Legislatures of other States to unite
with her in an effort to Impress the inn
portance of this subject upon our fed
eral representatives.
Bills were introduced by Mr.. Barley:
To amend section 1918 of the code in
relation to relief for grievances by bill
in equity; to amend section 120l OF the
code in relation to penalty for failures;
to amend section 1900 of the code in
relation to when railroads may demand
bills; bond to transport articles on pay
ment thereof; order of transportation.
Col. Barley arose to question OF
personal privilege and stated shat the
Alexandria Gazette of the date of jan
usry 18th had misquoted what he had
said on the floor of the House on the
18th instant in regard to the use OF
trading stamps; that he had the highest
regard for that newspaper and knew
that it would not wilfully misquote
Dim and that it had been done by mis-
take. He stated further that he was
quoted as having said 'he believed his
people, merchants and all were in ia
vor of them Qhe trading stamps)."
when in point Of fact he stated that
over 40 of his best merchants had sign
ed petition advocating the passage OF
the bill breaking up the trading
stamp business, while few had signed
against the bill, but that at that
time large majority had not signed
at all and that it was only fair to pre-
sume that thew had expressed prefer.