The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1898-01-23
SeD0lOI HIheTS ReReYS The FighI
I)I G Constitutional Convention.
PUBLIC SENTIMENT FAVORS THE RtDDy Bill
Rniirond Commission Hill Not Likely
10 Pass-1EouSc PnSScs tho Ports.
mouth Hills Cussons VIII Not he II
Candidate Succeed Commander
Stuhbs.y

Especial Dispatch to The Virglnian.)
Richmond, Va, Jan. 90, 1898.
Ihe time of the House was occupied
to-day in passing bills as to which
there was no objection. Among those
agreed to were those introduced in the
senate by Mr.. Maynard amending The
charter of Portsmouth and to author
i|e the council of that city TO issue
redemption bonds; also Senate bill to
authorize the Council of the citv of
Fortsmouth TO unite with the Board
Oh supervisors of Norfolk county to re-
par public road. The House bill 10
amend and re-cnact section 8, Of an
act to incorporate the Norfolk and
:'Vlantic Terminal company, approved
january 2S, 1882. as amended by an
UI 1,I, approved March !, 1882, and House
plli 10 amend and re-enact an act to
incorporate the Merchants and Me
chanlcs' Savings Bank OF the civ Of
Norfolk, und for other purposes passed
| on the 18th day of March. 1895 were
passed.
Senator Withcrs to-day renewed his
light for the constitutional convention
u lhe eiection next November TO say
Wnether or not convention shall be
called In presenting the act Mr.
winners said Virginia must do one of
three things-havc general increase in
taxes. impose larger taxes on the rail-
roua corporations or amend the con-
| stitutioh. For one he believed the In ST
named plan TO be the better one 1t is
| utmost certain THAT the Legislature
! VIII pass thlS measure ana then there
VIII be an organized fight in behalf Of
| the convention.
nave found Il good many members
| OF the Legislature who favor Mr.
Withcrs' railroad commission bill but
hardly one who thinks the measure
VIII pass The fact haas generally been
overlooked that the bill gives the cnm-
mission the right 10 order the railroad
companies provide separate Goa chcs for
the two races. Efforts have been MADE
IN VAN to get Il bill through the Leg
!slature providing for the lin crow"
cars. Mr.. Wi;hers is n brilliant fighter
ana VIII make ii lively for the oppo-
s!tion.
Sentiment in favor of the Rcddy bin
providing method whereby voters
may express their choIcA Of the candi-
dates for United States Senator il;
sIoWihS. IT begins to look as though
me measure would he passed with
votes to spare. Hon. r. Walton
one of the leaders in the primary
plan light ut the Roanoke convention,
IS here and expresses himself as most
heartily in favor of the bill
Inc railroad people are going to
make II desperate struggle to defeat
me employers liability bill in the Sen
ate. Opponents of the measure were
utterly amazed at the big vote for the
b!ll III the HOuec. Mr. w. A. Glas-
grow, Jr., of Roanoke, Is here working
IN opposition To the measure
The Following was offered by Scna-
tor Turnbull AMI referred:
Resolved, by the Senate of Virginia
ltha House Of Delegates concurring)
That the Board Of Education of Viz
ginia be and is hereby requested to
discontinue the use Of Barnes His
tory Of the United States in the pub
lie schools of this State at the earliest
moment practicable.
bin was offered by Senator South
all. the SuperintenIcnt-elec of Public
instruction. to provide better method
Of examination of teachers. 1t pro-
Nidcs III brief that the State Board of
Education shall annually in the mont,
OF May. appoint a board of five or
seven members, TO be known as the
state board of Examiners When
practicable the members Of the board
shall be chosen from the professors
OF learning. The Superintendent of
Public Institutions enal he ex-oiiiclo
a member and the chairman Of the
board. This board is TO prepare n list
OF questions proper 10 be asked of ap-
plicants for examination. The uucs-
tons are 10 be sent under seal TO the
county and city supcrntendents of
schools. The papers submitted by the
applicants shall be forwarded to the
State Board of Examiners, who shall
pass upon the merits of the papers
grading them and issuing them first or
second grade certificates or profess
sional or life certificates as the case
may be.
Capt. w. b. Pcndleton, of Louisa
offered a resolution in the House pro-
viding that a caucus OF all members
who are earnestly in favor Of re-
trenchment and reform be held In the
hall Of the House OF Delegates on next
Tuesday evening to urge immediate
relief to the tax+burdened people of
the State. The resolution was signed
by ffty-six members.
Senator Letcher introduced a bill to
increase the number OF members of the
Board OF Directors Of the Virginia pen
itentiary from three to seven The bill
gives to the board the power TO elect
superintendent of the pent.eniary, the
assistants and the guards. The bill pro
vides that the board shall be appointed
by the Governor. and that the terms
shall commence on january 1st, 1899;
that four shall hold for four ySars
from tsrat date and three for two years,