Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-02-09
PRIMARY BILL TO-DAY
A WARM DEBATE rs EXPECTED IN
THE SENATE.
LOBBYING FOR APPROPRIATIONS.
Friends of State Institutions at
Work Among the LegisIators-Tbe
Contest for the Circuit Judgeship-
Committee Meetings.

There will be a warm debate In the
Senate to-day over the bill requiring can
didates for the United States Senate &c
be chosen by the people.
The bill was reported unfavorably by
the Committee on Privileges and Elec-
lions. II is not thought by any one that
II will pass. But friend OF the measure
said last night that twelve or fifteen
votes would certainly be cast for the
support OF the bill. Five more are needed
to make majority OF the Senate. IL all
the senators who favor the measure are
present and voting. II may have a chance.
for frequently within the past few days
there have not been thirty senators on
the floor at any time. Several members
of the Senate say they have not yet de-
! cided as to how they will vote. Should
several of these make up their minds to
support the measure the vote would be
very close
Senator Flood will defend the report OF
the committee, and 1t is probably that
Senator Wickham will assist him. Senator
Barksdale will champion the bill. with
probably of Senator Fairfax
REFUSED TO REPORT 1T.
The House Committee on Privileges and
Elections met yesterday morning TO con-
slider the senatorial primary BILL intro
ducsd by Mr.. w. +. Reddy, who address,
ed the committee in its advocacy. After
careful consideration the committee re-
fused 10 report the bill. The sentiment
was practically unanimous in the opinion
that some popular method, either by con-
vention or primary, should be adopted
for the nomination of United States Sena-
tor, but the members thought it was
more matter Of party control than OF
legal enactment, and no plan should be
adopted that would mix the general cleo
ton with any primary system.
WORK FOR THE UNIVERSITY.
a large delegation from Charlottes-
vile was at the Capitol yesterday exert
ing every influence to prevent the reduc-
ton of the appropriation to the Univer-
sity from $4,000 to $4,000 Among the
friends Of the institution who discussed
the matter with the Finance Committee
of the Senate in an informal way yes
terday morning, were Professor Bar
ringer. chairman Of the faculty. Colonel
Carter. the proctor and Messrs John
Moon and ID. Harmon, OF Charlottesville
Ii was urged that this is the worst pos
sble time TO reduce the appropriation.
as the University is just beginning 10 re-
cover from the disastrous effects Of the |
fire. 1t is also urged that the cut is un- |
equal and unfair, as, when interest on
the bonds outstanding paid, only |
$1,000 OF the appropriation VIII be avail |
able. This is 5000 less than the appro- |
priation TO the Virginia Military Inst- /
tute.
OTHER INSTITUTIONS.
Hon. Lyon G. Tyler president of VIII |
liam and Mary College. was also at the |
Capitol yesterday, exerting his influence /
TO prevent the appropriation TO his in
stitution being abolished. as recommend
ed by the special committee. DR.. Thomas
II. Barnes. OF Nansemond. a popular ex-
senator and member Of the. William
and Mary Board, is also here, and was
heartily welcomed at the Capitol yester-
day
4 member of the House last night ex-
pressed surprise at seeing so many Of
the representatives of the State educa-
tional institutions at work 10 have their
appropriations kept intact. There are
said to be more Of these here now than
have ever been here before. 1t may be
said that such deep cuts have never be-
fore been proposed.
There Is an opinion that the reductions
n the salary of stewards at State in
sane hospitals. from $500 to $500. while
hat of superintendents is only cut from
2. 800 to-S2 200 is hardly fair The com
nittee defends it's report by saying that
he latter have TO be scientific men,
while in the case of the former no
special training is required.
THE VACANT JUDGESHIPS.
1t was claimed by the friends of Judge
I. w. c. Blackstone, of the County
court of Accomac, last night that he
lad the endorsement Of four out of the
tx representatives from the Eighth Cir
uit for the judgeship to succeed the
ate Judge b. T. Gunter. Those who
ave endorsed Judge Blackstone are
senator LeCato and Delegate Matthews.
f Accomac; Smith. Of Northampton, and
lontague. of Elizabeth City Mt Powell
rom Newport News. has endorsed Sena-
or Manly II. Barnes. Judge Blackstone
cached the city yesterday, and is doing {
II possible in behalf OF his candidacy. \
Ir. Robert Aiworth, chairman Of the +
democratic Executive Committee OF
county. is also hard at 4
FORK for Judge Blackstone.
Senator Barnes and his friends are -
utting in some good work. He is one a
f the most popular members Of the .
anate and they are rallying around
i'm manfully. IL was said last night :
nat Mr.. Thomas Temple Powell, the p
elegate from Newport News, was being +
ressed to become a candidate.
Hon. ID. Gardiner Tyler. of Charles 2,
ity county, is a prominent candidate. I,
, 1886. when Judge Gunter was first a
ected after the Malone regime, Mr.. Il
yler was a strong candidate for the >,
animation, and in the caucus the vote
God: Gunter. 46; Tyler, 43. Judge Gun
r was declared the nominee. and was -,
ected the next day. Mr.. Tyler was =
bseauently elected to Congress from ~
G Second District and served two ~
rms. He now resides at sherwood
orest." in Charles City county.
TAKEN BY SURPRISE. g.,
II is developed that the friends of The =,
sgister of the Land Office did not know =,
len the Featherston bill, cutting the =,
laries or certain State officers and ~,
oishing the positions of others, was -,
ssed. that the Office Of Superintendent -
Capitol Grounds and Building was -
spensed with. The duties Of this office -,
d formerly been discharged by the
.gister of the Land Office, and IT was -
ought that he would probably be APP ~
inted 10 the position. which was TO a.
Y a salary of 1890 per annum. Du- ~
~ the debate I'm the House, however ~
: paragraph creating or retaining this
Ice was stricken out. on motion OF Mr..