The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1898-02-06
TAX FISHING INDUSTRY
Nets 10 Be Taxed from Two 10 SeY.
eDIy-FIVG D0|IQTS.
HOUSE PASSES A REIRENCIRtAI BILL
Senators Talk Gront Dcnl About
Cutting Down pcnscs-Turubuil
s"5s That ffnies Arc Good In
BrnnswIck-GrRnd commanders
williams Makes Appointments.
Especial Dispatch to The vIrginian)

Especial Dispatch TO The Vlrginian.)
Richmond, Va, Feb. 5, 1898.
The House Committee on Finance
this afternoon considered the Pitcher
and Diggs bills providing a tax upon
fishing nets. Many tidcwatcr people
interested In the fish Industry were
present. Some OF them had been in the
city for several days, working in oppo
sttion to the bills mentioned.
The committee took UP the Diggs bill.
This measure was regarded by the tide
water men as one that. If adopted,
would place prohiDitory tax on the
fishermen, and instead OF bringing reve-
nue. into the State Treasury would
practically break up the fish industry.
Nhe committee apparently took the same
view OIL the mater, for j. WAS decided
to report 4 substitute bill, of which Mr..
Craig will be the patron. This act places
tax OF $25 on purse nets carried by
sailing vessels; $i5 on those carried by
steamers, and from 81 to SO on pound
nets. a tax of $l.50 is placed upon each
crabbcrs boat
1t is estimated that this bill Will bring
$4,000 annually into the State Treasury.
~ bill was offered in the House by
Alr Cooke TO provide Il specific license
tax on the slot machines that are in
such common use in saloons. He pro
poses to tax each one OF them $3.50 per
year. War has been made on these ma
chimes In many cities, and in some OF
them they have been driven out.
Nearly The whole time of the House
was taken up to-day in discussing the
bill TO regulate the salaries Of the State
officials and their employees. y few
changes were made and the mea sure
was passed. The bill cuts down the
pay OF the two auditors, treasu. er, i l.
torncy general, secretary OF the com
monwealth, superintendent of public
printing, superintendent of public in
structicn, and superintendent of the
penitentia!y. 1t abolishes the position
of register Of land Office and cuts down
the appropriations for clerks Of the de-
partments. The bigges; reduction is
for clerk hire in the first auditors Office
which - cut to the extent of about
$4,000. There will be big fight on this
bill in the Senate.
Considerable debate was had in the
Senate over a motion to refer the report
of the committee that Investigated the
expenditures by public institutions to
the Finance Committee. Mr.. Opie was
In favor of considering the gepor. on
the floor Of the Senate. Messrs. Flood,
Wickham, Southall, Lo:chcr and Mush-
bach advocated reference. They wanted
the opportunity given for full inVeS:i-
cation of the condition Of the Treas
ury before any appropriations were cut.
Mr.. Flood made strong speech against
the recommendatio to abolish the De-
partment of Agriculture. Mr. Turnbull
said he thought the Agricultural De
partment was a farce, and the farmers
OF Brunswick wanted 1t abolished. Mr..
McIlwaine moved to amend the motion
so as TO refer that part of the report
concerning the Department of Agricul-
ture to the Committee on Agriculture,
that portion of 1t recommending that the
position OF register of lands office to the
Committee on General Laws, and the
balance of the report to the Committee
on Finance. This was accepted, and the
report accordingly referred.
The Turnbull bill in relation to the
sale of delinquent lands came up as n
special order and the patron explained
how the act would operate. During his
remarks, Mr. Turnbull said something
about the prosperous condition OF the
people Of his county.
II would like to ask the gentleman
when the wave OF prosperity struck
Brunswick" /" remarked Mr.. Flanagan.
"When the prices of tobacco wen; up
higher than they have been in six
years" replied NJ. Turnbul.
and when wheat sold for 81 a
bushcl," suggested Mr.. Flanagan.
Yes; when the, price of wheat in
creased" added the Brunswick Sena-
tOr
"All of which was due 10 the Dingley
bill" was the sarcastic comment of MIR.
Mushbach
Il will say" went on Mr. Turnbuli.
that much Of this talk about hard
times has no foundation In fact. / can
say that the condition OF my people
is bstter than it has been In fifteen
years" (Applause by Mr.. Flanagan).
Mr.. Turnbull was asked many uues-
tions by Senators concerning the pro-
visions Of his bill. He gave apparently
satisfactory answers.
Mr.. Munford said he had not had
time to examine the bill as carefully
as he would like to do. He suggest
ed that the measure be ordered to its
engrossment but that the vlite be not
considered In order that IL any Senators
on Monday desired 20 Offer amendments
this could be done.
Alr. Turnibull readily consented to
this proposition and the bill was or
dered TO its engroSsmenit.
On January 1st the Senate adopted
resolutions highly complimentary of
Hon. II. c. Kent, the retiring Lieutenant
Governor. The resolutions have been
handsomely >engrossed by Professor G.
NJ. Smjthdeal. The work was displayed
In the Senate chamber this morning