Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-12-07

that he was afraid the fact that there
was now considerable sum In the State
treasury would lead TO extravaganza in
appropriations. He took occasion TO COM
mend in strong terms recent editorial
In the Dispatch warning the General AS
sembly against this danger.
As stated In the Dispatch several weeks
ago Hon. S. $. +. Patteson. OF this city,
will introduce In the House shortly bill
20 amend the Constitution concerning the
qualification Of voters. and Will Introduce
an educational qualification such as now
obtains in Mississippi.
In discussing this proposed legislation.
Mr. Paterson said:
The chief features Of the Mississippi
Constitution have been passed upon by
the Supreme Court OF Appeals of the
United States, and the Constitution up
heid by that court Such measure VIII
enable us to divide on economic measures
and discuss questions other than white
supremacy, because then. In my opinion.
white supremacy would be assured.
Il think there Is a general dissatisfac-
uon with our present system and such
constitutional amendment could not DO
us any harm, because without a constitu-
honal convention IL will have to be sub
mitted to the vote Of the people before It
Mr.. Patteson and Mr.. Barclay Of Rock
bridge. are two men in the House who
occupy unique positions. in that neither
has yet said who he will support for
United States senator. Mr. Patteson is a
strong advocate of the election Of United
states senator's by the people, and at an
early date Will introduce bill providing
Tor the nomination of senators I'm a State
primary. by direct vote OF the people.
Mr. Patteson said of his bill:
i am utterly opposed TO the present
system of submorginR all other issues TO
the election OF a United States senator,
and to the use Of the party machinery
by any candidate or candidates. inside
the party. 1 believe i'm party government.
and recognize the necessity for it. but 1
am absolutely opposed to the use of the
machinery Of the party against any one.
except the opposite party. | believe in the
utmost freedom Of choice and believe that
the peoples wishes should be respected
over any party committee"
THE LAND-GRABBERS LAW.
Hon. NJ s. Newberne Of Norfolk. as
shown elsewhere. started the ball rolling
yesterday. by introducing a bill to repeal
the 'land-grabbers' " act. Other bills
bearing on this unpopular act are i'm pro-
cess OF preparation, and will soon be in
;roduced Hon George Wayne Anderson
will present a bill to supersede the pres
ent delinquent-tax law. His bill is for the
sale of delinquent land. and provides for
the method of giving notice to the proper
owners of the property. II also provides
for the public sale of the land. with a
provision that the surplus, If any. OF the
sale revert to the owner. The penalty
now i'm vogue Is entirely done away with
Captain r. S. Parks. or Page county,
is one Of the few members who Is OPP
posed TO changing the 'land-grabbers' y
act He asserts that the law as il now
stands is good one.
Hon. John T.. Epps will shortly intro
duce a Joint resolution appropriating suf-
ficient money TO place the Capitol in a
thorough state Of repair. Among other
things which will be provided for by this
resolution will be a ladies' toilet within
the old building.
THE HOUSE COMMITTEES.
Hon. T.. w. Saunders. the new Speaker
of the House. will announce his COM
mittees to-day. 1t is understood that Hon.
w. n. Boaz will succeed Hon. M. 7.
Cooke as chairman Of the Finance Conn
mittee. and that Hon. T. c. Pitcher Will
again be made chairman of the Com
mittee on Roads and Internal Navigation.
Mr.. Willard and Captain Parks are both
spoken Of as chairman OF the Committee
on Courts Of Justice. and 1t is understood
that Messrs. Anderson. Patteson, ana
Kelly Of this city. are slated for MEM
bership on that committee. Mr.. Foikes
will be made chairman Of the Committee
on Labor and Poor. Mr.. Charles T. Bland
IS prominently spoken Of for the chair
manship of the Committee on Chesapeake
and Ito Tributaries. Colonel George
WAYNE Anderson viii certainly hold NOM
bership on the Committee on Militia ana
Police.
Colonel w II. Mann. the new Clerk
Of the House. will not announce his sub
ordinates until to-day. He will make Mr..
Thomas II. Bigger his chief clerk, and
it is known that Messrs. Sam w. Bigger,
Charles g. Mann. John T. Loving. j. y.
Brennaman. George Lindsay, and John
w. Williams. all former committee clerks,
will be on his staff Mr. John W. Burger,
Of Natural Bridge, it is understood, will
be on the staff
a CHANGE IN CLERKS.
Mr.. r. A. Lynch. who was the second
assistant clerk of the Senate at the last
session. is the first assistant this year.
succeeding Mr. Hudson Martin. of Mel
son county. who discharged the duties
of the position in an exceptionally salts
factory manner. Martin is too rich TO
friends yesterday. He has discovered q
copper-mtne on his farm. and the royal
ty is making him richer ever day.
I guess he wouldn't speak to committee
clerk now" Everybody who heard of
MI Martins good luck rejoiced thereat,
as he is universally popular.
Mr. II. c. Mann. of Petersburg. taxes
Mr.. Lynch's place as second assistant
clerk of the Senate. Mr.. Mann Is
nephew OF Senator William Hodges
Mann. Of Nottoway, but is not related to
Colonel William II. Mann. Clerk of the
House Mr.. Mann is serving his first term
as a clerk, but already gives eVi-
dence OF becoming one Of the most eff
Gent members Of a strong staff.
Mr.. Gus Matterne is the only Richmond
man on Mr. Buttons staff. He Will pro-
badly make fine clerk, as he is young
Businessman Of ability.
STRUCK IN THE DARK.
Governor Tyler knows nearly every
member Of the General Assembly and
nearly all know him. There is one who
did not until yesterday afternoon. The
Governor walked up Broad street, and
- NT,trrbxfc raucQd IN