Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-02-09
Kaufman & Co.,
Fourth and Broad.

had really been no election in Virginia
for years.
How did you get here?" asked Mr..
Opie.
Democratic election officers gave me
my certificate" said Mr.. Flanagan, "and
you are estopped from charging fraud"
Mr. Flanagan reiterated his charges
against the Democratic party for its me-
thod Of conducting elections.
II wish the Senator would tell us II
the party with which he is now training
is the one which put rutherford i.
Hayes in the White House in 1s77?''
Mr. Flanagan said he could not say his
party had stolen Tilden's seat. but even
were il admitted that such was the case,
he had rather. by reason Of the Republs'
can party's glorious past, before, and af-
ter 1877, vote with that than with the
Democratic party.
Mr.. Parr Republican) advocated the
resolution, saying, however, he should
have liked it better had it provided for
an election every two years.
WHY THIS COURSE CHOSEN.
Mr. Keezel again spoke for his reso-
luton, and said ne had in mind when he
framed the resolution the avoidance OF
making all terms of officials the same IN
length seeing the great danger of having
a combination Of office-holders of every
class formed to prevent a change be-
ing made by the people. Mr.. Keezell
spoke with rather more than his usual
earnestness in advocacy Of the PROPOSE
ton TO reduce the number Of elections.
The people were almost an absolute unit
for the adjustment of spring elections.
eve must give the people what they
demand, or take consequences. We can
save them $4,000 OF $4,000 year by abol-
ishing spring elections, and we should
give them opportunity to abolish them"
Mr.. Munford said he was DESTROYS of
having as few elections as possible, but
he thought It unwise in the highest de-
gree TO unite them with Federal cleo
lions. incidentally Mr.. Munford said he
was not an unreserved admirer Of the
Federal Constitution. 1t provided form
of government too hedged about with
checks, and balances TO admit of there
being put into operation promptly the
policy for which the people vote.
Mr.. Turnbull moved to recommit the
bill, preferring to secure fewer elections
by increasing the length of terms.
DEFENDS THE DEMOCRACY.
Mr.. Flood defended the charges made
against the Democratic party Of fraudu-
lent elections. citing the fact that there
were only two contested eases as the
result of the State election of last year.
'In the trial of such cases." he said,
there was not introduced a scintila of
evidence to show that any election OFF,
clal had been guilty of fraud.
Mr.. Eggleston offered an amendment
to the resolution providing that the
sherlffs of counties should also be the
treasurers, and that the office Of Com
missioner of the Revenue should be APP
Dointive.
Mr.. Keezel opposed the amendment.
as IT united the question Of fewer cleo
tons with that of fewer office-holders
and while he favored the latter in many
instances. he did not want to put rider
of this character upon the resolution.
The amendment was rejected, and the
resolution was ordered to its engross-
ment. with but three dissenting voices
On motion of Mr.. Keezell, the resolution
was passed. under suspension Of the
rules.
At the conclusion of the vote Mr.. Nc
Ilwaine introduced and had placed on the
calendar a bill designed TO overcome the
objections Of the Governor 10 Senate Bill
No. 80.
THE CAPITATION TAX MATTER.
The consideration Of Mr.. LeCatos pro-
posed amendment TO the Constitution,
making the payment of capitation tax a
prerequisite to voting. was taken up, and
the patron spoke very briefly In It's be-
half. He said II was only plain business
proposition. The State could as easily
as not get tens of thousands of dollars
into its treasury through such law
and he hoped the Senate would vote to
allow the people to pass upon the ques-
ton.
The resolution was ordered to its en-
grossment by practically unanimous
vote
The Senate adjourned at 2:SO.
House of Delegates.
The House was called to order at noon
by Speaker Ryan, and Rev e. N. Ca
lisch offered the opening prayer.
Mr.. Churchman, OF Augusta, offered q
resolution, which was referred TO the
Committee on Rules, providing that only
members OF the House should be permit
ted within the reserved floor space du-
ring sitting hours. and instructing the
doorkeeper to enforce the rule The rea-
son assigned was that at certain times
so much confusion reigned on the floor
caused by outsiders coming in and going
out that 1t was impossible for members
TO vote intellieently.
FURTHER INFRINGEMENT BILLS.
Mr. Withrow submitted several bills
and resolutions from the special Joint
Committee on Expenditures OF Public
Institutions tknown as No. D. carrying
out the recommendation contained IN
the report from that body, as to abol-