Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-12-13
WITH THE LEGISLATURE
Bills Now Before Generai Assembly
for Adoption or Rcjoetion-pro-
POSITION to Increase salnrie. of
Guards-'ro Enlarge The poni,on-
riary : After wiro-Bea.ors sol-
dier.' Homo charses-The Anti,
Trust ELI.
Especial to virginian-Pllot.)

oeuator W1iuain SnandS, Which was re-
ported to a committee for investigation
and report, will probably not be dis
posed OF until some time after the
Christmas holidays. The committee
seems disDosed to take it's own time,
and what the final outcome will be no
one seems to know, although leading
Democrats are OF opinion that policy
Will dictate their report, and that they
Will recommend the admission OF MIR.
Stands.
The latter declares that he will force
the light and insist that the Demo-
Gratis shall put themselves on record.
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.
The members of the Legislature are
earnestly discussing among themselves
the bill offered by Senator Flood. pro-
viding for constitutional convention.
The opinion is that it will be passed.
of the General Assembly, who have
heretofore fought the convention
scheme. are now earnestly endorsing
It's passage. The only question over
which there Is q controversy Is as to
the time for the people to vote upon
the question. Senator Floods bill pro-
Yides for taking the vote in May. 1901.
There are some who prefer the fall of
that year and others who desire still
later date for the vote. The bill will
Internationally be passed, but the date
Tor the vote may be changed.
UNDERGROUND WIRES.
Delegate FollSes' bill to require all tel
eGraph, telephone and electric lighting
companies in cities of more than 90 900
population to put their wires under
ground will be heard by the House
Committee on Propositions and Grlev-
ances Thursday, the 21st of this month.
The Fire Commissioners of Richmond
have repeatedly recommended in their
reports an act OF this character.
LAND GRABBERS' ACT.
It is proposed to ask for n joint spe-
cta} committee to pass upon all meas
ureS in relation to the Land Grabbers'
Act. The committee decided TO post
pone action on all such bills until the
proposition to appoint the special COM
mittee has been acted upon.
SALARIES OF GUARDS.
In the Senate to- day Senator Kezell,
OF Rockingham. offered a bill increasing
the salaries Of the guards at the State
farm from $50 to $50 month.
1t is stated that it will be strongly
opposed as a needless expenditure of
the money of the State.
THE PENITENTIARY.
The most important measure offered
in the House to-day was presented by
MIR. Powell, carrying All appropriation
of $4,000. to enlarge tine State penten-
tiary. 1t Is hoped that favorable action
will be taken on this proposition at
this time, as it has been necessary for
many years.
TO PUNISH WIFE-BEATERS.
Mr. Whitehead, of Norfolk, intro
duced his bill providing for the pun
ishment of wife-beaters. The bill pre-
scribes that any man who shall whip
10 wifi hnn Ia Of
misdemeanor and upon conviction
thereof shall be punished by stripes to
be laid on the bare back by the sheriff,
constable or sergeant; provided, that
not more than twenty stripes shall be
given at any one time. nor more than
thirty for the same offense.
OTHER BILLS.
Other bills were presented and refer
red, as follows:
Of the Code in relation TO transfer fee
of commissioners of the revenue, max
ing the fee SO cents.
BY same-To amend section 525 of the
Code in relation to how such fees arc
to be collected.
BY samc-To amend section S33 of
the Code to provide for assessment or
stock of goods and fixtures of mcr-
chants for local taxation.
BY Mr.. Pilcher--1o provide for the
revision, digosting and codticntiOn, of
the tax laws of Virginia. The II pro
vides for the appointment of n commit
tee of three for this purpose, and they
are to report to the next General AS
sembly.
BY Mr.. Horsley-To protect and ad-
vance agriculture by regulating the
sale and purity of commercial fcrtili-
GERS.
BY Mr. Madison-To amend and re-
enact an act approved February 10
1884,. entitled an act to provide police
for Newport Magisterial district, in the
county of Warwick
BY Mr. Ewell-To regulate the hunt
ing or capturing of cartridges Tor ouaiD
IN the county OF Princess Anne.
BY Mr.. Newbcrne-To authorize the
United States Government to acquire
title and Jurisdiction to a tract of land
IN the county of Norfolk, on the south
ern branch of the Elizabeth river.
SOLDIERS HOME CHARGES.
The House to-day concurrcd In the
senate resolution providing for the an
pointment of n committee TO investigate
charges of bad treatment made by cor
tnin inmates OF Lee Camp Soldiers
Home.
ms matter Is arousing much inter-
est among the legislators, and it Is
thought that the investigation may de-
VeioD some interesting features. The
charges are growing in magnitude as
time goes on. Senator jim, Opie, who
x Will be chairman Of the committee, says
the investigation VIII be thorough.
THE AN'rI-TRUST BILL.
The big corporations Of the State arc
taking much interest in the provisions
OF Senator Barksdalcs antitrust bill,
r0nnpa6s tnI, in no