The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-12-31
THE LAWMAKERS
TO RETURN SOON
Legislature viii Resume Its Session
Next Wednesday.
MANY IMPORTANT MEASURES,
Position OF Register OF Land Office
viii Not be Abolished-The Fight
10 Purify Elections - Consti-
tusiOnai Convention.

The LEGISLATURE will reconvene next
Wednesday, when the real work OF the
session will begin. Nearly thirty days Of
the ninety. for which the lawmakers are
paid to work, have passed. Many new
laws are likely to be ground out before
the day Of adjournment, which will come
early in March
number of measures Of Importance
are pending and others win be introduced.
1t IS generally conceded that the act
TO abolish the position of Register Of the
Land Office will not pass the House. but
should it meet with the approval OF that
body Governor Tyler is certain 10 veto
It. Therefore. it is practically settled
that this Office will remain as il has been
since the Commonwealth was established
"a separate department OF the Govern
ment. Col J. w. Richardson, the in
cumbent Of the office, Will probably have
opposition for reelection. 1t IS stated
that some Of those who have been most
active in their efforts 10 have this OF
merged with that OF the Secretary If the
Commonwealth are already casting ABOUT
to find some one 10 run against Col. Rich
ardson.
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.
The bill 10 submit TO the voters tho
question as to whether or not there shall
be called a convention to amend ana
revive the Constitution. Will attract a
good deal Of attention later on. It Is
pretty generally conceded that Il Will
be passed Much OF the opposition that
Senator Withers encountered at the last
IA al ..rafa IN
realize that there must he a convention
before very long. and they appear anx-
ious for Il TO he held as carly now as IS
practicable.
The proposed convention is to be made
a Democratic party issue. After the bill
IS passed to allow the people to say
whether or not there shall be a conven-
ton an organized effort will be made 10
have the proposition adopted. Senator
Flood who is the patron Of the bill. has
made a partial canvass OF members Of
the two houses, and he has found very
little opposition 10 his measure
FOR PURER ELECTIONS.
Senator Barlsdae Is determined 20 press
his bill to prohibit the improper use Of
money I'm elections. lie Is coming back
10 Richmond loaded down with facts and
figures concerning corruption in politics.
Since the Senator offered his act he has
received many letters commencing his
course. Mr.. Barksd0le will assert that
IL is useless for a poor man to run for
Office against o rich one II the latter
is disposed 10 buy votes 81 know OF a
number OF people who have bought their
Offices said Mr.. Rarksdale. They have
paid all the way from twenty-five cents
mp 20 five dollars for votes. This IL es-
peclally true OF people who run for coun-
~ or municipal offices The only way 10
break up this corrupt practice Is to make
il crime punishable by heavy penalty
] DO not see how any one can honestly
object TO my bill. II II is defective, let
some one offer a better one | will &C.
cept it, l suppose there win be some 10
oppose the act. and they will offer tech
nical objections. | will be prepared TO
make II warm for all such"
SENATORIAL ELECTIONS.
No bill has been az yet offered looking
10 giving the people an opportunity 10 ex-
press their choice Of candidates FOR the
United States Senate. But one will be
introduced. and chances are that II will
be passed Some OF those who We're most
active two years ago in opposing the Rcd
dy-Barksdale bin have come here In
structec 20 vote for a similar measure.
Senator McIlwaIne Is going 10 make a
lively fight for his fellow-servants' bill
which VIII be offered later IN the session
Tie states that in his judgment the bill
will pass the Senate, where il failed last
session. Senator Flood win no doubt
lead the opposition, as he did two years
aso