The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1899-12-14
THE LEGISLATURE,

assembly on Monday Bafkadhle was
its patron in the Senate and Mr. Grave
ley la the House.
The bill is drafted after the Texas
law, and has the endorsement of W. j.
Bryan. 1t makes any person or corpo-
ration entering into or making any con-
nection with any pool or combination,
20 control the price OF any commodity,
guilty Of conspiracy TO defraud. and
all amalgamations and cancellations,
however eff cited designed TO create a
trust or monopoly or to fix prices, are
declared unlawful.
The sale Of manufactured articles be-
low the cost of production for the pur-
pose Of creating monopolies is made a
violation Of the law The penalty i'm
posed is fine Of from 5000 to s., 900
pr day during the continuance Of the
offense
DRASTIC PENALTIES PROVIDED.
Corporations violating the law shall
forfeit the right to do business in the
State and all their charter privileges
The bill forbids combinations for
boycotting with view 10 contracting
or limiting trade in any article. Fail
ure to make affidavit that any corpora
tion has no connection with trust for
feits the corporate franchise
Articles produced by trusts are made
oontraband Of commerce in Virginia.
The attorney general and Common
wealth's attorneys are required to pros
ecute violltors of the law aud are TO
receive for their services one.fourth Of
the penalties recovered.
TO INVESTIGATE VETERANS COM.
PLANTS"
There will be an investigation Of the
officers Of the Confederate Soldiers
Home, near Richmond, and it promises
to excite much interest.
The Senate Monday adopted resolu-
ton, offered by Mr. Opie. providing
for a joint committee TO investigate the
affairs of the institution, as requested
Ia petition from several Of the vet
Grams, which was presented on Satur-
day.
Senator Opie, in Offering the resolu
ton. also submitted letter from Maj.
Norman V. Randolph, president Of the
Soldiers Home board, inviting the
fullest inquiry.
Capt. Dashiell, one Of the five signers
Of the veterans petition. was at the
capitol. and made the statement
to Senator Opie that he, with Maj.
Gait and Col Langley. the two other
commissioned officers who signed the
petition, had been ordered that morning
to 90 out on the farm and cut of turnip
tops, under the supervision Of the negro
gardener
OLD SOLDIERS PUT TO MENIAL WORK.
He further declares that never before
had the veterans been called on to do
this work. and he promptly refused to
obey the order. For this he was placed
under arrest, but left and came to the
capitol to tell his story
Col Bigger, the superintendent Of
the Soldiers Home, was asked II Capt
Dashiells report Of the order was cor
rect. He rerlied that It was.
When asked il this was not the first
instance Of ordering the veterans TO do
this work. he replied that it WAS the
first time he had wanted them to do 1t
The general complaint seems to be
that the food at the home is not prop
erly cooked and served, but even to this
there seems to be q difference Of opin.
ion. as some Of the veterans state that
everything is as 1t should be, and that
Dol. Bigger lie tireless In his efforts to
do all that he can for them.
Capt Dashiell was sure that the order
Monday was intended as some sort OF pun
ishment for him and his companions
for signing the petition.
The president of the Senate, Mr..
Echols. will probably appoint Senators
Tate. Of Pulaski; Gold. Of Clark, and
Walker, Of Westmoreland, as the Senate
contingent Of the joint committee to
investigate the Soldiers Home. The
two first. named Senators are ex.Oon-
federates
Senator Jeffries introduced bill to
re.enact section 664 Of the code, in re-
lation to delinquent lands purchased by
the Commonwealth. 1t provided for
the reduction Of interest from 10 to
per cent. Senator Morris objected, as
the Supreme Court was now consider
ing the point. The bill went over.
SCHOOL sUPERINTENDENTSC CONFIRMED
The Senate. in executive session con-
frmed the appointment Of school su-
perintendent, L. NJ Smith, Spotsyl
vania.
NEW BILLS IN THE HOUSE.
The following bills were introduced
in the House:
BY Mr.. Graveley-To provide for
pensions to certain Confederate soldiers.
sailors, and marines not heretofore pro.
vided for and to increase the pensions
authorized.
By Mr.. Willamette annul sections
4Ol7, 4O19, 4O9l. and 1923 as to venire
facias in felony cases as to provide for
the summoning but twelve men to con-
stitute the panel where felony case is
not punishably By death.
By Mr.. Newhouse-For the relief of
". O. Dowdy, a wounded Confederate
soldier Of Oulpeper
The following bills were placed on
| the calendar: