The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-02-12
EMPLOYERS LIABILITY ACT.
The Debate on the Bill Was Begun
Yesterday.
JUDGE WATKINS STATE BANK BILL,
lie Urges Its Adoption by tho House-The
Ecfor,natory Bills Engrossed in the
House Wages ofLaboring Men and
Their Escmptlon-Executio

debate on tho employers liability bill in
tho Senate.
Before the hour arrived for the measure
TO be taken mp the space allotted "a
visitors was crowded. Tmee Senators
made addresses Messrs. sands and Nc
Cuuc supported the measure and Mr..
Flanagan opposed II. Thc debate will be
continued to-day. Among those who VIII
address the Senate are Messrs. Withers
and Mcllwaine. in favor OF the bill and
Messrs. Wickham and FLOOD in opposi-
ton.
n Is not iikey that vote on this act
will be reached to-day.
Proceedings OF the Senate
The Senate mot with prayer by Rev.
G. r. Hyde.
Mr. Wallace presented petition from
citizens OF Louisa asking the passage OF
tho Maupin bin 90 tax social clubs.
Mr. James Mann. from the House in
formed the Senate that the House had
passed a resolution directing the Register
Of the Land Office To have certain re-
pairs made at the Executive Mansion
ON motion of Mr. Barksdale the resolu-
ZION WIS foNcNfftu ln.
The House bin 20 amend the law re-
comfy passed I'm relation TO the listing Of
bonds FOR taxation came up as unfinished
business. This measure is designed 20 per
feet the Parks act and to make 10 less
possible Tor its provisions 80 bc evaded.
Mr.. Parr continued his remarks in oppo-
sition 10 the measure re contendcd tnat
this law would operate 20 the disadvan-
tage OF the poor people. lt sounded very
well 10 tell the people that tho wealthy
class would have to pay the tax. nut
the effect of tho act would he that the
borrowers and not tho lenders of money
would have 10 pay the tax. The law
would operate 20 drive capital out of
the state. He moved 10 recommit the
bill
Mr.. Morris explained inc provisions OF
the act and argued that Mr. PARIS OBJ
iectiOns were not gcrmane 10 this bin.
hut applied TO the acc o. was sought TO
amend.
The Senate refused 10 recommit and
the bill was passed.
EMPLOYERS. LIABILITY BILL.
The bin to fix tho liability OF employers
came up as the special order at 1890
O'Clock. and Mr. Maynard gave notice that
the Committee on Roads. Of which he
was chairman. reserved the right TO close
the debate.
Mr.. McIwainc said he knew Of no par
iiamentary law that gave the committee
this right. lie had offered a substitute for
the bin that was reported unfavorably
by the committee and as he had the
affirmative Of the proposition 10 maintain
under general parliamentary rule he had
the right 10 conclude the debate.
Messrs Maynard and Wickham took
issue with Mr.. Mcllwaine. contending
that u was the custom I'm the Senate and
"a sound principle OF parliamentary pro
cedurc that the committee should be al
lowed 20 close tho debate
The chair ruled that Mr.. Mcllwaine
would have the right 20 conclude the
debate on his substitute. but that II the
substitute were cngraftcd into the origi-
nal bill. then the committee would have
the right TO close the debate.
Mr.. Mcllwaine raised the point as 10
whether OF not the committee had the
right 10 60 outside OF its own numbers
and have some Senator not a member of
the Roads Committee conclude the de-
bate.
The chair ruled that the committee
had this authority
Mr. McIlwainc appealed from the decis-
ION OF the chair. and before the question
was put 10 the Senate Mr. Opie said he
recalled celebrated criminal case IN Nir-
ginia IN which "a distinguished lawyer
was employed 10 assist the Common
wealth s-Attoney. The visiting lawyer
wanted 10 conclude the argument but the
court ruled that the Commonwealth
Attorney had no right TO have some one
else conclude the debate for him. lie
thought this decision fitted the case be-
fore the Senate.
The decision Of the chair was sustained.
MR.. SANDS OPENS.
Mr.. Sands opened the debate. The Senate
chamber and the gallery We're crowded
with visitors eager TO hear the speeches.
Mr. Sands started ont by saying this was
"a dry subject but that 70 was an impor-
tant one was proven by the parliament
tary fight as 10 which side had the right
10 close the debate. After a few prelimi-
nary remarks Mr.. Sands plunged into the
legal side OF the proposition. In the midst
OF his argument ne paid handsome
tribute 10 the administration Of Governor
Mckinney. He believed real more good
had been accomplished under Mckinney
administration than that OF any Governor.
Governor Mckinney had recommended
the passage Of hin similar 10 that before
the Senate. II there was need OF SUCH
law at that time there was more need of
II now for accidents on the railroads are
increasing I'm number
In conclusion Mr. Sands said that such
q law as that proposed was not only
needed because Of conflicting legal opin-
ions. but Justice and humanity demanded
a.
MIR. FLANAGAN'S VIEWS.
Mr.. Flanagan followed Mr.. Sands and
when he began his remarks those who
were not posted ass TO which side OF
the proposition he would advocate,
thought he was speaking tn favor Of tho
hill. he began by speaking 81 the great
burden placed upon the taxpayers OF
Powhstsn county by a railroad corpora
ton. But one Of the traits OF his char
acter vas = disposition 10 forgive those
bsd done him injury and 20 deal justly
with his enemies. Having said this much
bv way Of preface. Mr.. Flanagan told
~ The good that has resulted from the
invention Of the steam engine Finally
ne came down 10 tho meat OF the propo-
sition and spoke IN opposition 10 tho
mn He was almost a worshipper OF
the common law and was unalterably
opposed 10 such legislation as that pro-
posed 1t was treading on dangerous
ground.
Mr.. Flanagan paid a good deal OF at
tentlon 90 the HOuchins case, which has
40 often been referred 20 since this bill
was offered In the Legislature. He ar
cued that as brakeman Houchins lost
his life by his own negligence the rail-
road company was not 70 blame and
the court was right in refusing 10 award
al aIs.fl. for - h