Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-02-19
THE LEGISLATURE.
SENATE.

mating United States Senators 0y prl-
mary election, and for the first time
during several days discussion of the
measure was the p:cial political as
pect of the matter referred to.
During his remarks Mr.. Morris said
something about the congressman from
the first district, w. A. Jones.
"What has he got to do with this
bill ?" asked Mr.. Barksdale.
HE has got all to do with it," re-
piled Mr.. Morris. "He is pulling the
string, and you are doing the dancing"
The feeling that grew out of the de.
feat Of General Lee by Mr.. Martin a
few years ago was revived, and the re-
lations of Senator Martin and Con-
gresham Jones to the fight were briefly
discussed
Mr.. Flanagan said that he did not
think there was any guarantee that the
senatorial primaries would be more
fairly conducted than the general cleo.
tions. He felt that the better plan
would be to let the legislature elect,
and not risk this important measure
with Virginia election officers. He
had lively tilt with Senators Wick
ham and Barksdale, and tainted them
with having bolted from republican
conventions.
"Of my youthful errors l have long
repented aud am sincerely ashamed"
said MIR. Barksdale.
did the Senator ever hear me say l
was ashamed of being q republican
when | was one?" asked Mr.. Wick
ham.
Never" replied Mr.. Flanagan.
Just at adjournment Judge Blakey
said he wished to state that as it had
been charged that Mr.. Jones, the Con-
gresham from his district, was behind
the primary election bill, and that while
several of the Virginia delegation and
the Junior Senator had been here in the
early days of the session lobbying for
State officers, Mr.. Jones had remained
at his post in Washington maintaining a
dignifed silence regarding the probable
action of the Legislature. Mr. Blakey
displayed considerable feeling. Mr..
Mason also defended Congressman
Jones.
After adjournment Senators Morris,
Blakey, Mason and Flood gathered in
the area ia front of the presidents desk
and discussed the charge and denial in
quite an animated manner for several
minutes.
The bill went over.
The resolution passed by the House
Thursday complimentary OF Consul
General Lee was concurred in by the
Senate yesterday.
The Senate adopted substitute for
the Watkins House bill. It is, in effect,
is the Richmond ordinance, which 70 :
bids males from lettering in the neigh
borhood of female schools. The sub
stitute passed by the Senate allows
towns to pass similar ordinances. This
will enable the anti. flirting prohibi-
ton to reach these as we'll as all OF the
| cities.
The Senate passed two important
bills. One of these creates board to
assess telephone and telegraph compa-
MES in this State and define what con-
stitutes such corporations. The other
measure requires express companies
doing business in this State to pay a
privilege tax to the Commonwealth
based on the mileage of the road ope
rated by such company in Virginia.
The Senate finance committee report
ed to that body the general appropria-
ton bill for the next two years, and it
was made the special order for to day.
There was great secrecy observed about
| the contents OF the bill, and the clerk
was not permitted to disclose the bud
gets. 1t is understood that the appro
priations will create something ola sur
prise in some quarters. 1t i5 believed
that the appropriation bill cuts oil
about $50 900. Some SAT 900 of this is
to be taken from criminal expenses,
which the legislation of this session
greatly reduces. The allowance to the
University of Virginia is only cut - 500
Virginia Military Institute, 5000, and
the Western State Hospital $4,000.
The Senate passed bill repeating
Senate bill So as to express overcharge.
IL is now in the House.
The bill prohibiting the imposition OF
license taxes upon newspapers went
over.
The Senate passed House bills: To
amend section $3.50 of the code in rels-
ton to carrying concealed weapons.
To allow circuit and corporation
court judges to exchange courts.
To preserve the purity of field and
garden seed.
To prevent the adulteration Of flour
10 amend section SIS of the code
with relation to what persons cannot
hold more than one office.
Also Senate bill to amend section
1859 OF the code in relation to the prac-
tice of pharmacy.
The House passed what is styled the
free silver bullion bill. 1t permits
State banks to issue notes payable on
demand in silver bullion at its retail
market value and makes them first
lien on all the property of the bank. 1t
also makes such issue free of taxation,
and is intended to avoid the United
States ten per cent. tax on State banks.
The law is based on the State bank law
OF Georgia. 1t will probably also pass
the Senate.
The House committee on privileges
and elections reported Mr.. Reddy's
senatorial primary bill, with the recon-
mendatiop that it does not pass.
Mr.. Kizer's bill to create bureau of
labor statistics came within three votes
OF passing the House, receiving As. A
motion was made to reconsider and it