Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1898-02-26
An Important Caucus Called
for Tonight.
RETRENCHMENT MATTERS
Several Propositions Looking to Il Rcduct-
ton of State Expenses Under Com
side ration. Sentiment Favors IA
Constitutional Conventions,
Especial to the Daily Press

work at II \. VI. today ana vigorously
attacked their caienda.s From noon
the House devoted the remainder Of th..
LAY to consideration of the EtuSe sub
stItute for the general airPropriat ton
Dill! All action by either house on the
various bills ana resolutions proposing
constitutional amendments. cOnStitu-
tional commissions and the Witners'
constitutional convention bill is held up
pending the action of the joint advisory
caucus called for tomorrow night TO
agree. if possible, upon th. most fea-
s.Die ind effective course for the leg! sIa-
ruae II pursue in meeting existing con-
ditiCnS. This conference or caucus is
not binding upon those who attend in
any action il may take. tut is merely
an adjourned nesting of last nights
caucus, composed of about 80 Delegates
and Senator's The attention of this
n%eting was forcefUlly called to the
TACT that the Shrinkase in the value of
real estate that woul5 be Inevitably
shown by the next assessment. together
with the early Increase of the public
.aot interest presented the alternative
of an increased tax rate or bankruptcy.
unless soma method Of materially cur
failing the expenditures of the State
government be decided upon. Three
plans o. constitutional revision to cur
tau eXpSn ditures We're suggeS ted. One
proposing to submit to the people sepa-
other the ordering of a constitutional
convention. and finally the Governors
suggestion Of a constitutional commits
sion.
OF the sven speakers who addressed
last nights conference six cordially
eommenH,ai the calling of a constitu-
tional convention, and the seventh did
no: really @ppos" this plan All the
speakers agreed that the legislature
couNi effect no adequate retrenchment
III state expenses. Owing to the small
attendance the meeting took no action,
but will agree upon some Yan on Sat
urday night to meet the impending eN-
igency. Among the leaders in the SEN
atr and House who favor a convention
are Senator Withers and Barksd and
Delegates Saunders, Parker. Wiubo: ne
Stulins ami Feath.rstune.
The questions of revising tha cCnStitu
ton in some way is now the burning is
81" in both houSes-the one big problem
To he solved. The Senate has already
passed Mr.. Keezle's bill to amend the
constitution so as to consolidate the
>rrire, ana fall elections. or rather to
postpone The former until November
Announcements are also pending to reur-
@aniZe thu State Judiciary and proposing
an educational qualification to suffrage
Altogether tomorrow nights caucus is
the most important of the session.
Among III" new bills offeret; in the
House today We're thys
BY Mn Thomas: y bill to authorizes
turnpike companies in Virginia to I'M
pose and fix tolls on bicycles The bill
imposes & '3li not exceeding 5 cents for
each Whe,., on bicycles for travel over
any section OF five miles of their re-
sfeetive roads and in proportion for a
section less than five miles
Report OF the House subcommittee to
Visit the Y. NJ. l. The report is highly
complementary to the cadets and man
agement. 1t recommends appropriating
sum not exc a4ing $1,000 for a new
heating apparatus. The school has oo3
cadets. the largest number since 1874.
The ucTmtOries are crowded and more
room slloul! be provided.
Report of toe House committee that
visited William and Mary College. Th,
committee found "the splendid work
equipment first-class and the efficiency
III h highest standard" The report
highly commerds the Normal School
and favors q larger appropriation if
practicable
Among tbs, House hills introduced and
put on the calen0Iar Were these:
70 define lawful fence for Warwick
county
To authorize Farmville to grant a %
Year street railway franchise
To permit the capture of wild water
fowl in Prince George county
II
to soldlres. sailors and marines - Viz
gina. MANNED or disabled in the wa y be
tween the states. and Willows o. such
soldiers, sailors or marines who lost
their llVeS IN said war; so as to REQUIRE
rSnewal of applications and to extend
rHI!ei tp those who are disabled BY raa
SON OF q sease contracted or injuries sls-
tanned While in military service The
biIl proposes to strike from the States
Pension rolls any who may be unworthi-
~ thereon, and 10 provide. a commission
IN each county, one of whom shall he a
physician, to pass on such applications
Wh!ch are then submitted to the county
judge for action.
Ire House agreed to a conference on
the Senate amendment TO the Hous. Bill
IN relation to working coal and mineral
VEINS in Henrico and GoochIand coun-
ties ..
Also to Senate amendment to House
hll to amsnd section %t29 Of the Code so.
as TO require a record to he kept of
money under control of courts
A.so to incorporate the Suuthside Rail
way and development Company
ALSO TO re-enact section, 376S of the
Code in relation to contempts, defining
direct ami indirect contemptS and ;,ro-
E!ding u mode of procedure IN SRI h class
Oft cases.
The House bill to incorporate the
richmond, and Petersburg Electric or
Steam Railroad Company with Senate
amendments was further amended and
agreed to.
Tn House agreea to the Senate
amendment to the bill amending section
"669 o. the Code in relet it.n to ATTEMPTS
to poison and how punished
Among the bEls passed by the Senate
today were these:
The require the State library To he
Kept open from . A. NJ TO 5 p. M.
The Ope bill! forbid 5fnr the State