The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-02-09
O. H. Berry & Co.
Main and Tenth SIS.
THE ELECTION LAWS,
Slightly Amended by the Committee on
Privileges and Elections.


Privileges and Elections.
The House Committee on Privileges and
Elections met yesterday morning in room
No. ., on the upper floor Of the Capitol
building, with Mr.. Parker, of Southamp-
ton. in the chair.
IL was decided, after some discussion,
20 report favoraby the bill introduced
by Mr. Matthews, Of Accomac, providing
that poll books that have been returned
to the clerks Office OF the county and
corporation courts may be destroyed AFTER
they have remained there for three years
Similar action was taken in regard 70
the bill introduced by MT Parker OF
Southampton, providing for certain
amendments to the election laws. 1t
provides tEat the notices to be given by
prospective candidates to the clerks OF
the county and hastings courts shall be
in all respects in the same form as those
required to be given TO the Secretary OF
the Commonwealth.
On receipt Of such notice the Secretary
OF the Commonwealth shall notify the sec
rotary Of each electoral board of each
county or city, and it shall be the duty
Of tho court clerks to give similar notice
20 the secretaries of the respective cleo
toral boards These notices shall be sent
which candidates may give notice OF
their candidacy as prescribed by this
section. These clerks shall rend the orig
inal notices of candi13cy 20 the secretary
OF the electoral board when they notify
him. Whenever any secretary Of an cleo
toral board is elected he shall at once
notify the Secretary OF tho Common
wealth of his election and inform him as
TO his DOstofice address.
The packages Of ballots shall remain
in the exclusive possession Of the sec
rotary Of the board until delivered by
him to the judges. or one OF the judges.
OF elections Of the several precincts, or
until he shall have delivered them TO
one Of the other members Of the board to
be delivered 10 the iutge or judges.
Another bill iitrcducei by Mr.. Parker
makes some slight changes in the form
OF the poll books. II was also reported
favorably.
OPPOSED TO THE REDDY BILL.
The committee also took no the Sena-
torial Primary bin introduced by Mr.. W.
Z. Reddv. who addressed the committee
I'm its advocacy.
After careful consideration the COM
mittee refused to report the bill.
Tho committee was practically unani-
nous in the opinion that some
ponular method either by convention or
primary should be adopted for the nomi-
nation Of United states senator. but
thought that it was more q matter Of
marty control than OF legal enactment ana
that no plan shall be adopted that would
mix the general election with any pri-
mary system.
SEVERAL BILLS REPORTED.
The House Committee on Schools and
80 Oft Wi
Mr.. Booker. of Nansemond in the chair
and decided 10 report the following senate
bills
To regulate the county school funds in
the county Of Sussex.
To amend an act 10 provide for nor
nal school IN the Virginia Normal and
collegiate Institute, approved May H.
1857.
TO amend and re-enact subsection Sec
ond of section 1866 Of the Code Of Nir-
ginia in relation 10 the duties Of boards
Of school trustees.
The House bill introduced by Mr. Blan-
ton Of Cumberland. TO exempt free school
teachers from standing an examination
after having taught ten years under
first grade certificate was also fayOrahly
reported by the committee.
THEY SHALL PAY THEIR DEBTS.
The bin introduced By Mr.. FOlkes in
reference to the garnishment OF city, town
and county officials, and which passed
the House was yesterday morning unani-
mously reported by the Senate committee.
The bill was further perfected by Senator
Mushbach. The bill gives these officials
all exemptions that are allowed to other
citizens but nothing more
The majority OF officials are heartily In
favor Of It because the present exemption
imDafrs their credit
VISITORS ON THE FLOOR.
Among the visitors on the floor or the
House yesterday were DR.. Thomas II.
Barnes, OF Nansemond, former member
of the State Senate; Judge J. @. w.
Blackstone. Of Accomac county, also
former member Of the State Senate and
DR.. l.. T. Parham a former member OF
the House Of Delegates from southamp-
ton county.
ANOTHER CANDIDATE.
Among the names before the Governor
for the place Of Fish Com
missioner is that OF Hon. Augustus Wing
field Scott OF Bedford county. a gentle
man Of sterling integrity. His candid
acy IS espoused by many Of the members
OF the Legislature.