The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-02-10

fax. Jcnries. Keezell. LeCato. Maynard
and NORRIS
A SUBSTITUTE OFFERED.
Mr.. Flanagan offered as substitute
for the bill an act providing for eniars-
ing the Penitentiary State Farm
Mr.. Opie moved to pass by both the
substitute and the original bill The mo-
ton was lost
Mr.. Flanagan said he desired 70 ad-
dress the Senate in support of his sub
stitute. and he hoped the Senate would
pass the matter by. While he was
talking the hour arrived for the consid-
Grafton of the special order. which was
the BeCato resolution TO submit TO the
people the question Of whether or not
the Constitution should be so amended
as TO require a person to pay his poll
tax before being allowed TO vote. This
resolution was ordered 10 its engross-
ment Tuesday. The Senate passed the
resolution by a vote OF % to 4.
Later in the day the penitentiary bill
came up. and Mr.. Flanagan spoke In
favor of his substitute, which was finally
withdrawn. and the original act as
amended was passed by the following
vote.
Ayes-Messrs. Blakey. Boykin. Eggles-
ton. Fairfax. Jeffries. Kane. Keezell, lie
cato. Letcher. Mason. Massie, Maynard.
Morris. St Clair. Steele, Wallace and
Wickhani-l7.
Noes-Messrs. Barksdale. Clayton.
Clement. Flanagan, Foster Hale. Hart
ley. Mushbach. Opie. Parr and Turn
bull-l1.
SENATORIAL PRIMARY.
The senatorial primary bill by agree
ment between its patron. Senator Banks
dale. and Senator Flood. who Will lead
the fight on it, went over until next Tues
day. being made the special and con-
tinuing order for l2:45 o'clock.
The BarkSdale resolution to submit TO.
the people the question of amending the
Constitution by abolishing the County
and Circuit Court systems and substitute
ing district courts occaSioned some de-
bate. Mr. Barksdale was the first speak,
er. He said 1t was right and proper 10 all
low the people to decide whether or nv
they desire a change in the judiciary
system. Should this resolution pass he
would follow il up with resolution look
ing to abolshing the office of Common
wealths Attorney and creating the ofhc5
Of district attorney. The change pfOpOS-
ed in the judiciary system would serve to
get better judges and would save money
to the state.
Mr. Rarksdale said he was well aware
of the fact that when a bill striking al
oftice-hOders was offered IL was difficult
to pass II for the office-holders and their
friends would lobby day and night against
the Dill. lie was mere 10 represent the
people and not the ofiice-hOlders.
MIR NORRIS OPPOSES IT.
Mr. Morris opposed the resolution. He
regarded II as an attack upon the County
Court system, an = people did not want
that system abolished.
The resolution was advocated by Mr..
Wckham. He regarded this as one of the
measures the people were demanding an
opportunity TO vote upon. The reform
proposed was one the people desired TO
hiring Senator. reminded
when the constitutional convention wa a
voted down the people expected the Legis-
lature TO prepare needed amendments to
the constitution and submit them TO
vote.
Mr. Jeffries advocated the resolution on
the grounds that the people should bI
given the opportunity TO decide the ques-
ton for themselves. and that his peoplA
wanted change III the court system.
Inc resolution found another champion
I'm Mr.. MunfOrd, who said the change pro-
posed was along the line Of the reforms
suggested by the State Bar Association.
He favored also the aboiishing of the
Office of Commonwealth Attorney and
the creating of the office of district at
torney. and would like to see the position
Of treasurer abolished. and the duties Of
that Office discharged by the sheriff.
RESOLUTION PASSED.
Mr. Boykin said men might differ as to
the details of plan to reform the court
system, but he believed the people gen
tldllN were OF opiilOn tHdt a tndnEti
should be made. He, therefore. gave his
support to the resolution. believing tho
people were competent to decide the qucs-
tion for themselves
Mr.. Barksdale closed the debate in favor
of the resolution. and IL was ordered to
its engrossment by practically unanimous
vote. Under a suspension of the rules the
resolution was passed by A vote OF p 10
g.
Judge-elect Mason stated before the
vote WAS taken thai he was NOT allowed
under the rules, 10 vote. but he thought
this question should be submitted TO tho
people for decision.
BILLS INTRODUCED.
BY Mr. Opie, (No. 1910 amend the
Code in relation TO jurors
BY Mr. Blakey. (No. 1910 incorpo-
rate the Walkerton and Ma1taponi
Bridge C0mpanv