Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-01-23
PASSED MANY BILLS.
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OUTDID
ITSELF YESTERDAY.
FOR A CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.
Mr.. Withers Proposes to Again SUBJ
To Increase Members of Penitep-
tiary Board.

The number of bills passed by the
on any day this session.
There seemed 20 be a general desire in
each house to clear up the calendar, which
had been allowed to grow very long, and
this was done in the Senate and very
nearly accomplished in the House.
The bills passed were chiefly of local in
terest but the introduction of a bill by
Mr.. Withers. providing for a popular
vote on the question of calling a consti-
tutional convention, was a general topic
Of conversation.
A bill introduced by Senator Letcher.
increasing the number of members of the
Board Of Directors of the penitentiary 10
seven, and giving to them the power 10
choose all the officers Of the institution,
was also regarded as of great Importance,
as being an attempt TO take the election
of penitentiary officials out of politics.
The Day in the Senate.
There was not a quorum of members
present when Lieutenant-Governor Echols
raped the Senate TO order at noon, and
throughout the session there were several
times when there was failure OF quorum
TO vote
The following bills. resolutions. and pc
titions were introduced:
BY Mr.. Blakey (No. 291): To amend and
re-enact section 99S of the Code in rela-
lion to the erection OF wharyes. piers,
and bulkheads.
BY Mr.. Kane (No. 29D: Changing the
time for holding the courts of the Seven
teenth Judicial Circuit.
BY Mr.. LeCato CSo. 290: Authorizing
The trustees OF the Leemont Baptist
church, in Accomac county, to sell their
church lot and buildings thereon.
BY Mr.. Steele (No. 1860: For the relief
Of Il. L. Minnick, of Washington county.
THE PENITENTIARY BOARD.
Mr. fletcher introduced a bill 10 in
crease the number OF the Board of Direc-
tors Of the Virginia Penitentiary from
three 10 seven. The bin gives to the
board the power TO appoint the Superin-
fendent OF the Penitentiary, the assist
ants, and the guards. The bill provides
that the board shall be appointed by the
Governor, and that the terms shall COM
mence on January /, 1893; that four shall
hold for four years from that date, and
three for two years, and that all sue
cecQing appointments SndI De Tor TWO
years. " provides that three members
shall reside in Richmond and constitute
the Executive Board.
AIMED AT HARNESS HISTORY.
The following was offered by Mr.. Turn
)ull and referred:
Resolved. by the Senate of Virginia (the
House OF Delegates concurring), That the
Board OF Education OF Virginia be, and
4 is hereby. requested TO discontinue the
,se Of Barnes's History OF the United
states In the public schools of this State
II the earliest moment practicable. =
EXAMINATION OF TEACHERS.
A bill was offered by Mr.. Southall. the
Observation-Disclosures OF Public Instruc-
ton. TO provide better method OF ex-
animation OF teachers. IL provides. I'm
brief, that the State Board OF Education
hall annually, in-the month of May. APP
,oint a board OF FIVE or seven members,
10 be known as the state board OF ex-
winners. When practicable. the mem
)crs OF the board shall be chosen from
he professors and teachers OF the higher
Institutions. The Superintendent OF Pub
&c Instruction shall be ex-ofiicio mem
Der and the chairman of the board This
board IL TO prepare q list Of questions