Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-01-30
, SENATOR SAYS THERE rs NO
HOPE OF INFRINGEMENT.
7EE HOUSE OF DELEGATES BLAMED.
A Disposition 10 Pat Upon II the
Reproacb of Defeating Economy
Mcasares-others Think Economy
May Yet he Effected.

thc county treasures
II was one Of the most prominent men,
hers OF the Senate who made this re-
mark 20 q Dispatch reporter In the lobby
no The Jefferson last night. The converse
son had been Of the various methods 70
retrenchment which have been proposed
an the two branches OF the General AS
sembly this session. and the Senator USED
che expression quoted TO conclude the
conversation.
10 IS true that the recommittal Of the
biz mentioned has created more discus
son than the introductioD Ut passage OF
any other measure diseased by the pres
emf legislature. That the amount which
Sc would have saved 10 the State is i'm
monso Is generally admitted. but it was
urged by delegates from counties which
row receive from the State Treasury in
the way Of charges IN misdemeanor cases
sums as great and greater than those
they pay into II that it would not only
bankrupt such counties. but would be d
gross injustice to the citizens to tax them
because OF the lawless character of
great portion Of the population. the result
OF peculiar circumstances. A majority OF
che House took this view.
WILL NOT BE RADICAL
II Is thought there win hardly be radi-
cal retrenchment in the expenditures OF
the state, because. itss said, there cannot
b. such. except by the passage OF such s
bin as that defeated in the House yester-
DAY. or of several Others pending which
that body. II is thought by many Dele
gates and Senators. viii refuse TO enact.
The Senate has passed the Turnoull
bill abolishing fees to witnesses in mis-
demeanor cases in justices courts. but II
IS conceded by is friends that II will not
pass the House. 1t is estimated by the
patron OF the bill that # would result in
an annual saving to the State OF at 'eass
$500. The friends Of the bill in che
Senate are anxious to have the RESPONSE
blity OF its defeat rest upon the House.
for they think 1t a wise measure. and
one which will be so recognized by their
ATTITUDE OF THE SENATE
Nearly every senator last night dis
cussed retrenchment TO the exclusion OF
almost every other subject. and there
were few who did not express the opinion
that the Senate has shown greater Will
ingness to adopt retrenchment measures
than the House.
we have taken advantage OF every
TO cut that has been present.
ed 10 us" said Senator James, one Of a
little group sitting in the Senate cham
Der last night. Everybody thought when |
MS LEGISLATURE convened that the great |
Stumbling block 70 retrenchmsnt was the |
Senate. but / think We have shown them |
differently. In addition TO adopting seve-
raj measures which we know would ef-
feet a great saving, we have actually |
prevented the House from putting the |
State 70 additional expense. An instance |
lf this Is the refusal Of the Senate To
agree 20 the House bill. giving to the
members of boards OF visitors Of State
institutions s. per day. We passed ths
ln that gives them only their actual en-
lenses. Heretofore they have been gwen
q a day and mileage. except those on the
University Board, who received only
Mileage"
The group Of senators alluded to sug-
gested several methods in which retrench
ment could be effected. The House
bin 70 REFUGE the salaries Of certain
state officers may, or may not, get !
through that body. II is generally be-
lived that II will pass in an amended form
III they send II over 10 US it will
20 through. in my opinion" said Senator
James. Certain IT is, II they do pass
l. IN the House with the expectation of
having the Senate kill it. they are apt
30 be wofully surprised and disappointed"
THE MILWAINE BILLS.
The five bills Of Mr.. McIlwaine, amend
Ing the criminal laws Of the State, which
were treated az length In last Sundays
Dispatch. will. It is believed, effect a very
great saving. If enacted. These bills have
passed 10 their third reading in the Sem
ate By a unanimous vote, and Will pro-
lably PASS tomorrow. IL Is not known
hat they wilPbe fought in the House. but
here IS a probability that opposition will
be- manifested by members who claim
DE bills were inspired by country MEM
lers who wish TO get a cut at the cities,
is several Of the bills cut off fees OF
members Of municipal police and police
justices.
Mr.. LEEZELL WANTS AN INQUIRY.
Senator Keezer says he is greatly puz-
/
recently. zone thing which | can't UNI
ierstand" he said, is how an officer
gan continue TO get his salary, when that
lfice has been abolished by act OF the
.egislature. when his duties. what few
be- had. have been transferred TO other
IMcials. and when there Is no appropria-
Ion with which 10 pay him. Yet. that
s being done in one case, and am going
20 find out how it is done. A resolution
g.l be introduced in the Senate Monday
r Tuesday. inquiring into this subject. (
o VIII pass"
Mr. Keezen is also determined to fight /
be amounts additional to salary voted
% the clerks. assistant clerks, ana pages I
10 every eession-S5O IN the first case, and
p each TO the assistant clerks and pages. |
ie says while he appreciates the courtesy
nd Industry Of the clerks ana boys, I
be- IS not willing 10 put his hand
% thu State Treasury TO pay them Tor
IN addition TO the amount allowed by
aw II was agreed among the members
u The group referred 20 that there should
'e introduced I'm a few days resolution
IOviding that no such gifts be made.
THE CURRENTS IN CONFLICT.
"Wlu officers salaries be cutY'
That Is the question asked many mem
,ers Of the House and Senate last night.
ne replies were cOuched In different | =
erms. but they all meant the same
hing. The universal opinion was that a
ONE reduction might be made. but that
? would be slight, and would hardly be =
General
There are powerful influences at work /,
or and against reduction more power | =