The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-12-22
LEGISLATIVE GOSSIP
City Commissioners BiII-PoIice for
CORPORATIONS.

The proposition to secure passage OF an
act by the Legislature to permit commits
siOners OF departments OF the city gov
eminent 20 bid for contracts to furnish
supplies TO the city has not been re-
ceived with entire favor. The city delega-
ton IS divided over the ACCESSIBILITY Of
advocating the measure. II is probable
the delegate who was first asked to pre-
pare a bill for introduction Will not do
so. However. those who are interested in
the passage Of such law have not aban-
dOncd the field. The proposition originally
made was TO have the law apply 10 MEM
bcrs of the Board OF Fire Commissioners.
but it has been decided to provide a sim
liar privilege for members of the Board
NJ Police Commissioners. The passage
OF law such as it is sought to have en-
acted is not at all certain. The chances
now appear TO Doe against the measure.
Ii was stated last night that the Council
Committee on Charter Changes would
adopt a recommendation 10 the Legisla-
ture that The present laws be allowed to
remain IN force, should the advocates OF
the new measure be encouraged to con-
tinue agitation OF the question. This
would necessitate the holding OF a special
session Of the Council to consider the
adoption of the recommendation.
Mr.. Patteson. patron Of the bill regard
ing the employment by corporations OF
armed and uniformed guards with fun
police powers. views the measure in an
entirely different light than that which
Delegate Folkes made il appear In the
House yesterday. He thinks the protec-
ton Of property in times of disturbance
1ustiies the law. and points 10 the fact
that railway corporations operating in
the State enjoy the privileges sought to
be extended 10 other corporations under
the terms OF the bill There will undoubt-
edly be a determined fight against the bill
before 1t ever becomes a law. Mr.. Folkes
announced his determination Yesterday
evening to oppose 1t TO the uttermost of
his ability.
Delegate Buntln appeared before the
Committee on General Laws Yesterday TO
oppose immediate consideration and re-
port or the bills offered by Mr.. Folkes
70 require the placing Of telephone. tele-
graph and other wires IN underground
conduits. The matter was set for hearing
on January 9Th. Mr.. Buntin. who comes
from Danville. said last night that the
bills might seriously affect certain inter-
ests in his city. and that he would have
special meeting of the C'ty Council, OF
which he is a member. called during the
hollday recess TO consider what the attitude
of tne Danville representatives shouldbe in
tho matter. Mr.. Buntin believes that
while the measure may be n good one
II might have the effect OF embarrassing
or bankruptlng corporations OF limited
surplus capital engaged in business in
which the use OF wires entered.
Time has been set for hearing bills be-
fore the House Committee on General
Laws as follows:
January fth-By Mr. Parks-To facill-
tate the construction OF telegraph lines
along and upon the rieht Of way ~ rail-
roads In Virginia and 10 provide for the
condemnation thereof.
January eth-By Mr. Folkes-To require
all electric street railways to place under
ground all their trolley-car wires
January sth.--By NJ. Folkes-To require