The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-01-21
MOUSE DELEGATES.
The Entire Session Taken Up by the pls-
cussion Of the Employers Liability Biz

The Entire Session Taken Up by the Dis
cus,ion Of the Employers Liability Bill
Bishop Van de Vyver offered prayer IN
the House Of Delegates yesterday after
the session had been opened by Speaker
Ryan.
clerk John Bell Bigger announced that
Speaker Ryan had appointed Mr.. George
j.. Passmorc. OF Luncnburg member OF
the Committee on Asylums and Prisons
on Public Property and on Enrolled BIS.
Col. Bigger also read letter from MT
j. C. Parker. OF Southampton ASKING
FOR an indefinite leave Of absence on ac-
count OF being confined 10 his bed by
sickness. The request was granted.
Mr. II. l.. Buford. Of Brunswick. then
arose and having been recognized by the
Speaker said:
Mr.. Speaker. II ifs unusual. ] believe
for ID member to ask for leave OF aD-
sonce for himself ] do So now lot the
reason that / wish 10 make statement
10 the House. J have important engage
mcnts I'M the Circuit Court OF GreensNiNe
county tomorrow. Ny own county court
at which an important felony case when
have TO prosecute is set for trial, begins
ON Monday and I have to De present at
The court 10 arrange for this trial. see
bv the papers that the the committee APP
pointed 10 investigate the matter Of the
Brunswick county juqgeshp, have pre-
pared their report, ana 1 am told that the
report is I'm the hands Of the printer As
I am extremely anxious both on my own
account and on account Of my county TO
be present when this report is acted upon
bv the House. / request that no action be
taken until my return. and ] assure the
House that / viii return as soon as my
imperative duties in the courts VIII per
nit"
The request was granted and Speaker
RYAN explained that the House would
not take any action on the report I'm the
meantime.
ON motion Of Mr.. &. wilkins Matthews,
Of Accomac. House bill No. III was taken
up out Of its regular order Incorporating
the Atlantic Telephone Company. The
bin was ordered 20 its engrOssment and
third reading
EMPLOYERS LIABILITY.
House bin No. $780, Mr.. Reddy's employ
crs' liability Bill then came mp again
as unfinished business and Mr. r. w
Saunders. of Franklin. who occupied the
floor when the House adjourned on Tues
day. continued his argument lie pointed
cut that during the previous sessions,
when this bid came up for discussion
mo- objection WAS raised on behalf OF the
farmers and the argument that the farm
ars would Doe injured 10y such meas uie
was made for the first time this year.
lie then quoted from the statements or
the late judge Burks. of Bedford VINO
had been i'm favor OF the enactment OF
such law.
Mr. Saunders then refutcd I'm detail the
arguments made by the opponents OF th'
bin and cited numerous decisions ~ tho
supreme Court of Appeals In order 10
show how they connicted with each other
and thereby necessitatad the passage OF
the law urdtr discussion. lie endeavored
to show tLat formerly there were grades
among railroad employees and the con
ductor was the superior OF the other
members of the crew, but now they were
an fellow servants ard co-laborers. all
engaged in the same train work and the
respective company was liable Tor injuries
received by any Of them
Mr.. Saunders spoke for an hour and a
half I'm The most earnest manner and
when he closed his argument. he was
loudly applauded.
OPPOSING THE BILL.
AR. Pitcher. Of Fauquicr. then iolioWed
i'm opposition to the bill and be briefly rec
viewed the arguments made by the vdri-
one sneakers. lie said that Mr. Reddy
the patron Of the bill was full'of charity
and was guided i'm his action by this char
itv He then alluded no tho gladiator and
tho magnificent sreciment of pi ysical ana
mental manhood. Captain Parks Of Page,
who was az first very eloquent bat SHE'D
when ne reached the bill itself
AR Pitcher next spoke Of NJ. Saunders
the great advocate from Franklin, who
"a q
raw OF hooks and endeavored 10 lead the
members on from the facts contained IN
the bill. Mr. Saunders, he said, pos
sessed more knowledge than any other
member OF the House, but this knowl-
edge was only valuable, as long as II was
not controlled by personal prejudice or
auimosity Wisdom was careful but
knowledge was very often prejudiced.
Mr.. Pitcher then cited "a number of court
decisions I'm favor Of mis- opposition to the
bill and during his address he was inter
runted. when Senator Flood Informed the
House that the Senate had agreed to a
Joint resolution. under which both Houses
shall to-day Vt 1880 o'clock proceed with
the election Of "a judge OF Brunswick
county.
Mr. Reddy subsequently desired TO ask
Mr. Pitcher q question, but The latter ala
mo- want 10 be interrupted anu poHiNAH5
to the stack Of books from which Mr..
Saunders had quoted. said that there was
not lawyer in the United States who
could answer al the questions contained
IN those books.
MR.. WlTHROW FOR THE BILL.
Mr. Withrow Of Bath, followed with
a clear ana plain statement Of the pro-
visions Of the bill as they appeared to
him. II, said he had not intended TO say
anything, IL IL had not been for the re-
marks made by tn gentleman from Fau-
ouicr. Mr.. Pitcher. II like for this House
70 know" said Mr.. Withrow that re-
present as many corporations az any 9th
or member on the floor and as long as
they do what they ought OF do, no one
will attack them. ! represent corpora
ton myself OF which ! am the president
and also two other corporations. the Low
more and Longdale Iron Companies. but
no one ever had or occasion 10 sue either
of them for any lives lost. As long "a
these companies do what they ought 30
do the law DOES not apply TO them at all.
II was a wage worker myself for four
teen years, and 1 know what they have