The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-11-19
THE COMING OF
THE LEGISLATURE
Probable Action of the Body Which
Meets December 9TH.
MANY MEASURES OF IMPORT,
The Land Grabbers' Law Matter OF
Interest The Governors Mes
sage Some Probable
Recommendations.
MANY MEASURES OF IMPORT,

The Legislature will assemble under
conditions very unlike those which pre-
vailed at the induction into office Of the
last General Assembly. The members
elect. looking forward to the assembling
Of the body, are animated by another set
Of ideas and purposes. In the two years
interval there has been a change in The
industrial condition of the State. The
Commonwealth has been steadily ascend
ing in the scale OF prosperity. The finances
Of the State are in better shape.
In 1897. the prevalent idea among the
members on assembling. was that tho
government was on the ragged edge OF
bankruptcy, and that their heroic mission
was TO save her from destruction. Re
trenchment and reform" was the key
note. Whereupon the majority Of the
hundred and forty constituting the As
sembly retrenched and reformed. The
/ knife was alphabetically some said.
but at any rate tho blade was buried
deep In the successive objects OF attack
Then the Solons went home. and ever
since their constituents have sworn re-
vcnge when the Land Grabbers' Law
was brought 10 mind.
THE DANGER or THE MOMENT.
That the revenues OF the State have in
! creased. none will deny. But there is
| danger ahead for the State unless the
mind OF the next Legislature can be im-
pressed with the fact that the increase
! has not been so large as il Is popularity
supposed 10 be. Nor will the State re-
/ ceive next year the revenue from certain
[ sources Il has In the past two years. The
/ land-grabbers law. for instance, has al
ready liquidated claims In favor OF the
State embracing a period Of several years
I back In succeeding years the revenue
from this source Will not be so large
/ even If the law remains on the statute
! book. which IS regarded as doubtful in
some quarters.
There is undoubtedly apprehension
| over the prospect of members coming %
/ the Legislature with bills which would
not be offered except that their authors
are under the impression that there is a
/ handsome surplus 20 be expended In some
way. Each OF these members. Of course,
| thinks his measure one that deserves 10
| be enacted to help wipe out the supposed
| surplus.
Among the measures that e. is under
/ stood will be introduced will be one de-
| signed to improve the condition Of Nir-
| ginia roads by convict labor. The idea
/ will be 10 abolish the contract systemr
| By which the institution annually yields
| a handsome revenue, and 20 have the In
| stitutlon made a charge on the StateA
| Tie claim Is made for such measure
that It will result in greater good TO the
| State through the Improvement OF her
| roads than IS accomplished under the
present disposition Of the services Of the
10 however
| that such a bill will be enacted into law.
The contract for the labor Of the ma
| iorltv of the convicts could hardly be
| abolished
THU I.AND-GRABBERS' LAW.
! Among the subjects that will engage at
/ 'ention at the very earliest moment Will
! De the land-grabbers' law. Perhaps a
| score or two score or more bills will be
offered having I'm view the repeal or
| amendment Of that unpopular, but reve7
| nue-maRing act. The impression prevails
that the law will not be repealed entirely
| but Il Is considered probable that amend
ments will be adopted modifying some Of
| the harsher features of the statute.
| An interesting rumor during the past
| week was to the effect that Governor
| TYLER i'm his message. will recommend
| the passage Of a law which would have
The selection Of United States senator
| made by a primary election Such Is
| believed to be the Governors Intention
He undoubtedly favors such law.
An effort will b. made az the next ses-
sion Of the Legislature to have law
| passed abolishing the exemption feature
Of the law governing the selection OF
Jurors Such a measure will probably be
| offered by a Richmond man. The klch-
| mond Bar Association has already taken
The Initiative I'm this direction.
| USE OF MONEY IN ELECTIONS.
| senator Rarksdale. Of Halifax, VIII IN
troducs a measure designed 10 minimize
the opportunities for the use OF money IN
elections and another 10 control trust
generations within the bounds Of Nir-
ginia. lion
In he taken regarding the Department
~ Agriculture. This important branch Of
The state government was very seriously
crippled by the action OF the last Lesls-
lature and opinion is divided as 10 what
should be done Many are In favor OF
making a sufficient appropriation TO put
The department I'm position 10 do thorough
" the work for which II is intended.
Others are I'm favor Of abolishing IL. What
will be done remains 70 be seen.
Among other PROPOSITIONS which ii Will
| no sought 10 enact into law Will be the
| following: To make an appropriation for
| more ceu-room AZ the penitentiary: TO
| amend the conditional pardon act. 10 pro-
| vide for a chaplain at the penitentiary:
| IN nroyide for a great state exposition in
1 To coll