Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-12-09
Especial to vircinian-P;lot,

NSPeCtdi 10 NlrSlnlan-PIlOt.)
Richmond. Dec. S.-The action OF the
Democratic caucus last night in declin-3
Ing to investigate the charges made5
against Superintendent of the Peniten-s
tiary Helms, and re-nominating him ats
once, has caused considerable discuss
sion to-day. 1t Is thought the more re-ss
markable since the charges were madel
by man whose character and standing,
were vouched for by several delegates;
Mr.. John Whitehead, in his vigorouss
protest against such action, took oc-I
casion To point out the fact that theI
Democrats of his district were already
split up by the ShandS-Boykin fight
and that the party could not afford to-
ignore charges against Its appointees.
OBEYED MARTIN.
1t was said yesterday, however, that
despite his denial Senator Martin had
indicated his choice of State officers,
and the caucus obeyed his wishes with
out a question.
HOUSE CLERKS.
Col. Wm. Henry Mann, clerk of the:
House, has appointed Mr.. Thomas H.
Bigger his chief assistant. He has
chosen the following for committees
clerks: John w. Williams, Giles coun-!
ty; John I. Loving, Pulaski; J.. M
Rrenaman. Shenandoah; Charles b.;
Mann. Petersburg; George Llndsay,I
Portsmouth; John w. Burger. Rock
bridge; Joseph ]. Hennely, Norfolk, and
w. III. Woods, PIttsylvania,
FLORAL TRIBUTES.
On the desks OF Senators Foster and
Maynard to-day We're handsome bou-
uuets. sent with the compliments OF the
wife OF the Secretary of the Commons
wealth. The flowers OH Senator Fos-
ter's desk were magnificent American
Beauties; those on MIR. Maynard's desh
were lovely La France roses.
DELINQUENT TAX LAW.
In the Senate to-day two measures OF
import 10 taxpayers We're offered by
Senator Jeffries of Culpeper. One oe
his bills provides THAT personal notice
regarding the delinquency of his land
shall be served upon a party residing
I'm the county where the land stands In
his ramc. Ii the owner OF the land lives
outside the county he shall be notified
by newspaper publication as now pro-
rided. The other bill is the more inn
pcrtant one. The author seeks to pro-
vide every possible and reasonable pro-
lection for the owners of property. In
the first place, provision is made for all
delinquent lands 10 be fully advertised
before they can be bought by private
parties. 1t reduces the penalty to ten
per cent. on the amount OF the pur-
chase price, provided 1t be not less than
one dollar nor more than five, and re-
quites an applicant to pay one-third of
the purchase price III cash when the
application Is made, which is forfeited
to the State il he fails to make his pur-
chase.
Senator Clayton introduced n bill to
amend the code in relation to pennlty
on treasurers for false lists, also for re-
turns as "dclinquents" where sufficlenb
property liable to distress. The change
proposed is that the treasurer "shalL
forfeit five times the amount OF said
taxes and levies, one-half OF which
shall be to the Commonwealth and the
other half TO the person charged With
such taxes and levies."
ELECTION OF SENATOR.
The Senate passed resolutions pros
viding for the election of a United
states Senator on the 19th instant. The
State officers nominated by last nights
caucus We're elected without question:
HOUSE BILLS.
In the House, after a considerable
debate. the committee having charge ot
the subject was instructed TO make n;
speedy report OH the Land Grabbers',s
law.
y bill was offered by Mr.. John Whites
head TO protect the owners of bottles.
boxes, sphons and kegs. used in the
sale OF soda water, etc, and providing
a penalty for the unlawful tarfticking in
same. He also introduced a bill asking
an increase OF the salary OF the Judge
of the First judicial Circuit.
Continued on Page II.