Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-01-19

circuit courts of the Sixteenth judicial
EMPLOYERS LIABILITY BILL.

circuit courts Of the Sixteenth judicial
Circuit.
EMPLOYERS LIABILITY BILL.
When the Reddy employers liability
bill came up, Mr.. Saunders resumed his
argument in favor of the bill. At it's
conclusion Mr.. Winborne spoke in oppo-
sition TO the measure-or, at least. this
was the impression he left until Mr..
Saunders asked him the direct question
as to whether he was speaking against
| the bill as a whole or whether he only
objected to certain sections. Mr.. Win
borne replied that he desired TO amend
certain sections; that he was opposed TO
| the bill in its present form. He charac-
! terized the measure as a 'monstrosity,
and declared that II was more radical
than the English law. He was not OPP
posed TO all legislation along the line,
but he did not wish to see the interests
Of the State jeopardized by the enact
ment Of such stringent laws as 70 drive
capital away and send it in another di-
rection. If the measure was to be enact
ed, he thought it should apply only TO
railroad corporations. He was not striking
at the latter, but thought it would be
unwise to include all companies, private
and otherwise.
Mr.. Jordan opposed the bill, on the
|
measures. 1t would even apply, he
thought. TO the man with his team. Mr..
Saunders interrupted the speaker and
| said that he did not wish TO see n fight
made on supposed cases, to which the
| provisions of the measure did not apply.
| Mr.. Jordan asked If he engaged with an
other party in the farming business,
would not that be a partnership TO which
the bill would apply? Mr.. Saunders re-
piled that it would not, as it would not
form a corporation.
SPEAKS FOR THE FARMERS.
Mr. Gwyn, Of Smyth, opposed the mea-
| sure. He said:
II am opposed to this BILL 1 believe
it to be an entering wedge to untold liti-
cation. The gentleman who preceded me
saws il does not affect farmers, unless we
wish to amend it so as to get them in.
| Now we will see If such bill does not
affect the farming interests in my county.
We have at Saltvile an enterprise-the
| alkali works. The amount invested in
| this enterprise is about four million dol
! lars Now this enterprise is incorpo-
| rated and has a very large farming in
! terest OF perhaps 10000 acres OF fine
| lands, upon which farming, cattle, and
| stock raising are carried on extensively.
| 1t is an incorporated body. Then, short
distance from there is the Stuart Land
and Cattle Company, that embraces the
finest lands in Russell.
This company ships annually TO foreign
markets from 1900 TO 1900 export cattle.
Just east and adjoining my county we
have another company. We have great
ENTERPRISE there, of which the chief
manager and president is George l..
Carter. That is one Of the largest and
most successful farming enterprises in the
Southwest, raising thousands OF bushels
of wheat and corn. They export cattle
successfully, running half a dozen rolling
mills These three great enterprises al
feet the farming interests of the South
west. Cripple them, and you strike
blow at the farmers. The small farm
ers are dependent, to a large measure,
upon these enterprises for the sale or
their cattle. | think 1t would be best
to offer a bill that would invite capital 10
Virginia and develop our forests and
iron ores that are now dormant. We do
not wish to hamper these great enter
prises."
Continuing, Mr.. Gwyn said that it would
be a. harvest for the lawyers, though, he
declared, If such a law was enacted,
every time a man got his hand cut off
I'm a saw-miu along would come a lawyer
and say: "You give me half, and I'll run
a suit for YOU" The courts will be
crowded with suits, and the supply of
LAWYERS would not be able to meet the de-
mand.
AWAY WITH THE GHOST.
Mr.. Parker replied as to the harvest
for LAWYERS" that there would probably
he less suits than at present, as the
liability would be fixed and certain, and
the employee would know just when ne
could secure damages, and the employer
would know when he had to pay them.
Mr.. Reddy said the ghost that had
been scared up in the shape Of the farm
inc interest might be retired, as far as
he was concerned, as he would be will
ing to accept the proposed amendment or
Mr. Winborne. providing that the proVi-
elons of the measure should apply only
10 railroad corporations.
Mr. Anderson declared that the bill sim
NV and solely undertook to put the law
hack where 1t was ten years ago In THIS
state. He cited the case where a brake
man was killed in an accident caused by
the negligence of conductor, ana the
court decided that the entire crew being
fellow-servants. the brakeman could not
recover Such remarks as 1.-The brake
man should look out for himself the
conductor should be punished, were
made at this point by several members.
These were very aptly answered.
SUCH A LAW NOT NEEDED.
Mr.. watkins thought the enactment OF
the law was not demanded by pupnc
nolicv. Some one stated that humanity
demanded il. Corporations were humane
the speaker replied, Notwithstanding the
gsnerhl idea to the contrary Some peo-
ole would have the public believe that
corporations delighted IN the sight OF hu-
man gore, and. as some lawyer had said'