Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-12-03

the two houses is the election OF base
mcnt' officers, including Secretary OF the
Commonwealth, Auditor Of Public Ac-
counts. Second Auditor. State Treasurer,
Register Of Land Office, Railroad COM
missioner, superintendent Of Public Print
ing and superintendent Of the Peniten-
nary Inc superintendent Of Public IN
Sr uCtion was elected ~ the last session.
ana holds for four years The Adiut,nt
General and COMMISSIONS of Ao-ricI,lt,,r,
are appointed by the Governor. ana mir
terms are for four years.
Nominations for the Offices In lao nu.a
VIZ De made a a Jo nj caucus 10 be held
Wednesday night. Hon. joseph T. Law
'C9S VIII not nave opposition FOR re-elec-
u0u 70 1he ONCE OF Secretary OF the Com
ihonWeaIth, 50 far IS known. noltber
-tualtor Marye. nor State-Tressurer Har-
'u"H WIZ encounter opposition, but Sc
roHo-Auditor Ryiand VIII he opposed for
reelection by Mr.. w. McDou.ld gzo-.,r
Lancaster. Register Richardson or ,he
L9hu once VIII be opposed bv Mr.. ! /
mite. OF Pittsylyania The merging ~
ms once with that Of tho Secretary, OF
'"o commonwealth is expected b. q great
many. air. blewelyn t.. LookabfU Will
oppose Captain j. II. O'Banuon FIR re-
election 20 the Office Of Superintendent IF
uplc printing. Probably the hottest OF
an hghts for State offices VIII be thar
Tor Tor the place Of superintendent of tho
Sni 'ehttry. Major George ". Helms
VIII stand for recollection TO the poqifIo,
70 which he was elected AT the lost ees'
sion. and will be opposed by Major b
W. Lynn, whom he succeeded
IMPORTANT WORK TO DO.
there IS very general feeling that
tiis IS 20 b. a memorable ses sion OF the
1eheral Assembly There has been tho
same feeling before on the eve Of the
converting OF the lawmakers Of the Old
i'oiilhloh. The results have frequently
Justlhed the presentmeut: for within tho
Wnls OF the Virginia Capitol have been
DEBATES and parliamentary fgn,g and
legislative action which are iniperishably
inscribed upon the -istOric pages Of tho
State and nation.
There is always manifest at the conclu-
sion or legislative session feeling or
appointment that more was not accom-
pushed. Every member. new or Old.
comes % the Assembly carrying in his
brain schemes which he wishes ID see as
sumo the tangible form Of legislative on
actment. No member ever succeeded in
doing all no planned. Few do all they
promise their constituents to do II IS
also true that I'm the early DAVIS OF the
session tho public Is hopeful Of seeing ac-
complished many THINGS long deemed ne
cessary TO the common veal They have
not gagged the calibre Of the individu1l
members; they have not learned the tenn
per OF the body taken collectively. they
have not had opportunity 10 become In
formed as 10 the trend Of thought. and
consequent nature Of legislation. Dav by
day, as the session proceeds intelligent
opinion on all these phases OF the charac-
ter or the laW-making body is developed.
SHOULD EXPECT COMPROMISES
II the new legislator. as well as the
onlOoker would remember the remark Of
a great philosophic writer Of England.
that "All legislation is a COMPROMISE"
here would be fewer disappointments and
fewer surprises al the close 0f Il session
Of awmaking body. Many readers
would probaDiy be more DESTROYS OF hay
ing the lawmakers remember that other
remark Of the same writer. that the chief
work Of legislative bodies has been found
in undoing the work Of its predecessors.
The foregoing makes clear the difficulty
OF outlining al the beginning Of "a session
the work which the Virginia Legislature
will accomplish. The Dispatch has more
than once indicated the probable trend
Of legislation. But such forecast can only
be in the most general terms. Little
more can be done than 10 indicate the
character OF the legislation to be pro-
lN0'A. 4 Nf ldlt VI a. Ilii Tan never DC
certainly predicted.
THE LEADING QUESTIONS.
The following are subjects OF which IL
IS practically certain there will BE- al
tempts made 70 secure legislation:
Reduction OF criminal expenses.
Restriction Of suffrage.
Enlargement Of the pententiary.
Use Of money IN elections.
Trusts.
Senatorial primary
Taxation OF fertilizers
Greater usefulness OF State Library.
Abolition OF Office Of Register OF Land
Once.
Liability Of railroads for injuries 10 en-
ylovcos.
Amendments 10 oyster law.
The list could be indefinitely prolonged
The above IS meant only 10 include some
OF the more important subjects upon
which there will be attempts to secure
leg station.