Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-02-25
THE LEGISLATURE.
SENATE.


MIR. Letcher's bill proposing to amend
the constitution by imposing the educa-
tional qualification as q requisite for
voting was defeated in the Senate yes
terday evening by practically unani-
nous vote.
The Kizer labor bureau bill was report
ed fsvorably to the Senate. The bill car
ries an appropriation to pay an official
who shall gather labor statistics.
When the bill reducing the fees of
jailors came up Mr.. Maynard offered an
amendment making a slight increase
over the committees recommendations,
but it was defeated and the bill, as
stated yesterday, was adopted.
HOUSE.
The House had under consideration
yesterday the appropriation bill. MIR.
Withrow, q member Of the finance
committee, made a vigorous speech
against the report of tine committee.
He said the committee was packed.
The chairman of the committee, MIR.
Cooke, of Norfolk, denied that this was
correct 1t seems that MIR. Withrow
complaiaed that on the occasion that
the appropriations were agreed to two
members known to be opposed to the
bill were absent. as were two who
favored it. The latter were sent fJr
and voted to give the affirmative side
majority. This seems to have been
Mr.. Withrow's reference to the COM
mittee being packed" Messrs. BoaZ
and Willard sustained Mr.. Cooke, and
the incident passed over without any
display OF ugly temper. Very few
changes were made in the appropriation
bill as reported to the House. The
House discussed the appropriations IN
til adjournment.
The Senate bill consolidating the
Richmond and Petersburg and the
Petersburg roads provoked consider
able discussion. The fight was over
an amendment to require the Richmond
and Petersburg to surrender its ex-
emption from local taxation 10 Chester
field and Manchester. This was de-
feated. Mr.. Wallace, of Richmond,
then made an attempt to amend the
bill 80 as to require the waiver after
the expiration of ten years. He made
strong speech in favor Of his PROPOSE
ton, in the course Of which he Was
rather severe on corporations. The
matter went over.
The bill to compel railroads to carry
bicycles ss baggage was taken from the
committee and placed on the calender.
The House passed the Senate bill to
amend section 1859 OF the code in rela'
ton to the practice of pharmacy and the
House bill to amend on act incorporat-
ing Falls Church and Potomac Railway
Company.
A democratic caucus was held last
night to discuss the ACCESSIBILITY of hold
ing a constitutional convention. The
sense of the body was almost unani-
mously in favor Of a convention. 1t
was stated that without adopting new
constitution, retrenchment and reform
were almost impossible. Senator With
ers made a speech in favor of such q
convention, as did also Mr.. Saunders.
The caucus took no action, but adjourn
ed to meet Saturday night.
a special committee of the two
Houses, composed of Confederate vete
raps, last night framed general pen
sion bill, which declares all pensions
now granted null and void, and pro-
vides the manner in which application
shall hereafter be made. The bill will
be introduced to-day.
Mr.. Boykin, from the special joint
legislative committee appointed to ar
range for the meeting to be addressed
by Congressman Bailey, made the re-
port. The report stated that the speak
ing would begin in the Academy OF
Music promptly at o'clock this even
ing. Speaker Ryan will preside, and
Lieuteuant.Governor Echols will sit at
his left. Senator Flood will introduce
Mr.. i alley, and seats will be reserved
for members OF the legislature.