The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-02-16

senator wiclxham's Prediction as 20 the
Appropriation Biil

senator Wickham's Prediction as 60 the
Appropriation Bih.
The Senate Committee on Finance Is
giving nearly every night TO work on the
appropriation bill. Considerable progress
mas been made. one feature OF the work,
a senator said last night. has been dis
posed OF. but other and more troublesome
features are yet 20 be tackled.
Mr Wickham. at the meeting Of the
committee last night when the PROPOSE
ton 10 give another hearing on a cer-
tam measure came up, IN the frank man
ner that IS characteristic OF him, said
the body had TO be careful not TO waste
any time. Speaking Of the appropria-
ton blu and the necessity OF preparing
lt with care. ne said. This measure IS or
the utmost Importance. l say TO you II
may split the Legislature wide open. We
cannot tell what Is going 20 happen when
tt Is presented"
Inc House Committee on Finance has
rot gotten 10 work on the measure but
N;iu 90 so m q day or TWO. Inere VIII
probably be several conferences between
agree upon a BIN so as to present 1t To
each body on the same day.
The Senate and House Committees on
Privileges and Elections were 70 have
met last night TO receive recOmmenda-
tions for The Electoral Boards. but by
agreement. the meeting vas postponed
until Friday night
lt Is said there will. as usual. be big
night over the Norfolk Electoral Board.
The three incumbents have been recon-
inended for ge-appontment by the cry
Democratic Committee. Delegate klZer
wiu support the ncum3ents. but Senator
Foster is said 70 favor a new board en-
tirely. or al any rate. claims the right 20
name one member. Delegate Cooke has
not made known his position.
The Senate Committee on .'inance yes
ter,lav morning heard Mr.. Saunders IN
favor Of his bin 90 provide a method Tor
assessing she property OF express tele-
phone and telegraph companies Tor taA-
ation. Ills measure. which is modelled
after the Nichols law in OHIO. has pass
cd IN. House The committee recon-
vened last night 90 resume consideration
~ this measure. AIessrs Ohm y. Moon
ronrcsenting he American Telegraph and
Telenhone Company: Air. A. p. Thom
.he Southern Ben Telephone Company;
Major Robert Stiles. the western Union
Telegraph Company. and Mr.. w. A..
Glasgow. Jr.. the Southern Express
Company, spoke against the Saunders
measure
Senator Flood offered a substitute for
the measure providing In brief for a tax
upon the gross receipts Of the COM
nanies This bin appeared 70 be salts
factory % those representing the COM
l.HH HHfI
presented. would Increase the resources
OF the state by a few thousand dollars.
Mr.. Glasgow submitted the draft or n
bin he had prepared which he offered as
a substitute. This act imposes speci-
fc license tax ON express companies and
Increases the amount considerably over
what is paid now.
The further hearing Of the subject was
postponed until tomorrow morning.
The House Committee on Finance met
last niaht and considered several RELIEF
bills.
The CAUCUS % nominate a successor 70
the late Judge B. r. Guntcr viii be held
to-nicht. only two names will be pre-
scented. those of Senator Barnes and
judge Blackstone Hon. o. r. Powell
Of Newport News. will nominate Mt
Barnes and Senator lie Cato IS expected
to tell the caucus why Judge Blackstone
should be chosen. IL looks very mucA
as II the vote would be- close.
A meml er OF the House said last night
be was thinking Of Offering bill TO in
crease the fee on marriage licenses from
81 20 $3.50 He stated that in most OF the
States the cost Of a marriage license was
higher than in Virginia.
The bin TO tax social clubs passed by
the Senate yesterday viii affect at least
five organizations IN Richmond with
large MEMBERSHIPS as follows: The Com
monwealth Westmoreland. Jefferson.
Albemarle and Elks' Clubs These or
gonizatlons have a combined membership
of nearly l,2C0
Ex-Congressman 2. Z. Meredith OF
Prince William. Mr. N. =. Harlow. ~.
Alexandria. Colonel W. W Sale. Of Nor
folk and Colonel K. G. Marshall. Of
Portsmouth; were al the Capitol yes
terday.
The senatorial primary bin will come
up IN the Senate to-day. Mcssrs Barks-
dale, Withers and Hale, will speak IN
favor Of The measure and Massrs. Flood,
Bovkin and Morris against il.
Mr. Wlthers' Constitutional Convention
measure is the special order for Thurs
day.