Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-03-03

|
NO FURTHER AMENDMENTS.
Mr. Darlington called up a joint resolu-
| ton providing for submitting the ques-
! ton of amending the Constitution. so as
| TO provide for substituting district courts
| for circuit courts.
| Mr.. Winborne opposed considering any
such proposition in the very last hour
| Of the session. Not four members of the
body, he declared, had read the proposed
amendment. or understood it,
Mr.. Saunders also spoke in opposition
to passing upon the resolution when not
even a member of the Committee on
Courts of Justice understood the effect Of
such an amendment. 1t was too i'm
portant q question TO decide without con-
sideration. No one on the floor of the
House was capable of explaining the reso-
luton in detail
Mr.. Darlington said If the resolution
was not in proper shape, then the General
Assembly should remain I'm session three
or four days longer in order to decide
upon the necessary amendments.
Mr. Parker, who was i'm favor Of the
resolution. said it was evident that there
was barely constitutional vote present.
and, therefore. as he did not believe he
could secure fifty-one votes, he moved
that 1t be passed by. This was done.
A message was received from the Sem
ate stating that that body had refused
to agree to the House amendments to the
resolution calling a constitutional conven-
ton. Mr.. Parker moved that the House
adhere to its amendments. and appoint 2
committee on conference. This was
adopted, and Messrs. Winborne. Willard,
and Anderson were appointed.
NO STATE FARM BILL.
Mr.. Saunders called up the bill provid-
ing that the Board of Directors of the
penitentiary shall be directed to pur-
chase farm land, and erect suitable build
ings thereon, at a cost not to exceed $25,-
600. An amendment was offered providing
that in case the Virginia Sugar-Refining
Company employed convicts, as provided
for under the act incorporating said com
pany, that the farm land should not be
purchased. Mr.. r. d. Jennings was OPP
posed to the consideration of the bill, and
ii was passed by.
The conference committee appointed TO
confer as TO the disagreement on the res
olution submitting to the people the ques-
ton of calling a constitutional conven-
ton reported that they had not been
able to adjust the matter. Mr.. Stubs
spoke in favor Of acceding 10 the Senate
in the matter. The House refused TO
take up the matter however, as there
were a number of pension bills to be
passed, and the hour for adjourning
under the rules, was at hand.
THE PENSION BILLS.
Mr.. Morris at this point delivered a
message from the Senate, stating that
that body had adopted joint resolution
providing that pension bills might be con-
sidered after the hour Of 2 o'clock had
arrived. Mr.. Saunders opposed concurring |
i'm this resolution, for he saw the object |
Of it. The House had cut down the
amounts in all the Senate pension bills to |
sl5 EACH and had determined not to re- |
cede from this action. Therefore, Mr.. |
Saunders moved that the resolution be |
laid on the table, which was done and |
the pension bills were sent over TO the |
Senate.
A NUMBER OF PRESENTATIONS
AT this juncture the chair was vacated |
for five minutes, and Captain Parks. on |
behalf of the House, presented Speaker
Ryan with handsome gold watch, chain,
and charm. In making the presentation
speech Captain Parks referred TO the
courtesy with which the presiding officer
had treated all, and the impartiality with
which the latter had performed his
duties.
Speaker Ryan, in expressing his thanks |
lid SO in a neat speech He said the gift
would be cherished by him as long as he
lived. He thought that he had fulfilled his
promise of welding the gavel without
and had presided over the body
o the best of his ability. That he had
lone so was amply testified in the hearty
applause with which this remark was
greeted.
DIR. Quesenberry, on behalf of the Com
mittee on Asylums and Prisons, present.
ed the chairman Of that body, DR.. VIM
ston, with beautiful gold-headed cane.
and the Delegate from Hanover respond
ed in an appropriate speech of thanks.
FAN FOR THE CHAPERON.
Mr. Charles NJ. Wallace, Jr., on behalf
Of the Infant class" then presented
heir "chaperon," Mr.. II. c. Pitcher. with
4 beautiful fan. Mr.. Pitcher returned his
hanks, and expressed his appreciation
IF the boys" who had all been good
boys; or, "as good as they could well
be-"
Mr.. Saunders presented, on behalf of
he House, to the veteran clerk. Colonel
Bigger. handsome china dinner service
Colonel Bigger responded in his bapnv
ityle. as usual.
THE SENATE MUST DECIDE.
The chair was then resumed and Mr.
saunders stated that the Senate had re-
used TO concur In the amendments 10
he pension bills. Therefore, he moved
hat the House reconsider its action IN
dopting the joint resolution. providing
hat no business should beetransacte5
Ifter o'clock, and adopt a resolution
O the same effect, applying only to the
House. Then the Senate could pass the
ills, as amended. or refuse to do so, and
nus defeat them.
The Senate would thus have the entire
esponsibiiity placed upon them, and IL
hey didn't choose TO accept the bills
hey need not do So
Mr.. saunders's resolution was adopted. c
y which no legislation OF any kind was !