The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-01-19
MOUSE or DELEGATES.
The session Taken Up In Discussing tho
EMPLOYERS Liability Bill.

ne session idktn u IVA ''H'"'''s 49,
Employers Liability Bin.
bishop Van de Vyver again offered
prayer in the House Of Delegates, after
the session mad been opened by speaker
/ Ryan. -,
Colonel John Bell Bigger read the fol-
lowing invitation 20 the members OF me
General Assembly
''rhc Richmond Young WOman's Chris
tidn Temperance Union Will ho.d con,
lcderatc Tea on Wednesday, the l9th OF
January, from to II y. NJ, az the No-
man Christian Association. No. 40 east
FRANKLIN street and We cordially lhNi'c
you all TO be present.
There will be am attractive musical
programme. and lots OF pretty girls i'll
Confederate costume 10 wait on YOU.
ON motion of MI. j. \. stubbs. Of Glou-
cestcr. House bin No. ~ was taken ny
out OF the regular order ana considered
on its second reading. Ihe Dill IepedlS
an act TO authorize the Baltimore, Nhea-
apcakc and Richmond Steamboat Compa-
ny 10 erect "a wharf or WharVeS along us
river trent on York river at gloucester
Point. I'm Gloucester county, appioNcu
February "a. 1894.
The bin was ordered 10 It's engross-
ment and third reading, and subsequently
passed az the request OF Mr.. Stubbs'
As unfinished business House bill No.
$50 Mr. Roddys Employers Liabilities
bni again came up. and the discussion
was AT once resumed. Nlr. L. W. Saun-
ders. OF Franklin, speaking earnestly III
favor Of the measure He cited "A num-
Der of instances 10 demonstrate the ne
Cessity of the enactment OF such "a law
MR. PASSAnORE SWORN IN.
When Mr. Saunders had ended Mr.
George T.. PassmOrc, who had Dcen eject
ed TO nll the seat made vacant by the
death of DR.. \. H. Neblett. of Luneu-
burg. was then called to the desk ana
sworn i'm by Col. John Bell Bigger
Mr. ". ". WinbOrnc, of Rockbridge'
spoke i'm opposition 10 the Dill taking the
l..ff
far-reaching scope and that the existing
laws made ample provision for such
cases OF injuries received by employees.
He took the ground that when there was
no fault on he part OF the master lhch
the servant should not recover any Dam
ages If this bih applied 10 private cor
pOrations. n should also apply TO partner
ships and individuals. Ills onseINdu9H
had been that corporations were hol the
hcartless and cruel organizations a Whlch
they had been described. IT the plh was
passed he hoped that il would be so linz
tied as 10 apply only 10 railroad cohlpa-
MES
Mr. +. G.. Jordan. % Frederick. thought
the bil was too far-Teaching In its pres
ent shape. and would Eeriously dteiicl the
farmers -,
the bill I'm its present form. whlch Woui"
seriously affect the salt works al SAT-
vie, in his county: the stuart Natlle
T. cmpany. i'm Russell county. ana other
which were AN Incorporated and employ
al "a large number of men. The bill IT
enacted a law. would seriously htIlp'r
these enterprises but 10 would pc q mar
vest for the lawyers. VINO Would DE ana.
lous 10 bring such damage SUITS. AMI IL
might become necessary TO csldDusn d
new circuit court IN that section. inc
zinc mines i'm WYthe county, had last
year paid out about t0wo ior aaih a l-'..,
and ne thought the present laws were
sufficient Instead ~ hamperihg capal'
II should be invited 10 come into the
southwest
FARMERS not AFFECTED.
Mr.. Rcddy. Of this city. the patron OF
the bill refuted the idea that the farmers
ana agricultural interests ln the S'dle
would be injured by the enactment OF
this bin. In order TO banish such IN
idea ne was perfectly willing 10 accept
the suggestion Of the gentleman from
Rockbridge. AMI 10 make the nin dpPI-
cable only 10 railroad companies. re
WAS also willing to strike out the nill
clause which provides that the injured
marty shall be entitled TO damages, ll the
injury has been caused by the negligence
Of any person in the service OF the en-
plov,r. who has charge or control OF any
signal switch. locomotive, engine OF
Nfr J. l.. Anderson. Of this city, who
advocated the passage OF lnc OIL sdIu
il only intended 10 restore the law as
involve cOntributary negligence. IL was
only TO make certain what was no" I'M
certain. Celtic.
took the ground that a brakeman OF a
railroad company i'm accepting ms po-
sition had bargained for the risk he uh-
dertOOk. like q soldier who enhsteu. OF
sailor who went on board of snip Tor
IL belonged to the service which ne con-
tracts 20 do. -
fudge Asa u. watkins. OF Prince Ed
ward. desired 20 know what wrong INC
bin sought To remedy. what pubic pohcy
did demand 81. what police regulation az
IL intend TO enforce. or what good Wouid
come from a 10 the Commonwealth
Mr.. Isaac Digcs. 81 King william IN
interruptng the speaker sald humanity
demanded the enactment OF such . law.
Judge Watkins OF Prince Edward;
wanted 10 know the reason or demand
for such "a bill. and said If il applied
10 corporations IL should Apply to IN
capt Parks said the hill was rumored
10 be- a LAWYERS bill but such rumor
had not been sustained.
is THDRE JUSTICE IN TT?
Judge Watkins then continued: DO
Won intimate that railroad corporations
are inhuman and that they XIII the peo-
ple II this bin is supported on tSe
ground OF public policy, then no aiBu-
ment has been advanced; II II IS TO rsht
ID wrong. ail ltElSldAlNh h-titii"t iiNN''
eence was based on the same principle
Is there justice in it? IL you apply the
provisions Of this bill 20 corporations
then YOU should apply 10 also TO indi-
viduals. Railroad companies should not
be lcgislated against any more than indl-
viduals
.It had been asked that the principle OF
fellow servants be settled IN this Com
monwealth bv this measure. know per
fcctlv well that both sides are perfectly
sincere and that the Arguments brought
forth are only a difference Of opinion
between the two sides
When asked by "A member. Judge Watt
kins said IL was true that he was coun-
sci for q railroad company ia his county
on local matters. but he had never been
interested In a railroad case in court ex-
cent once i'm COW case, and then it cost
the complainant so for not accepting a
settlement out Of court as ne had ad-
vised him. lie had offered the man SIS
for his COW but he insisted on asking
Lsas