Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-03-08
ONE DAYS WORK RECORD
Three Hundred and Twcnty.four
Bills Hatfield in One Dny-Ncw
About Railroads Republicans
Pleased with Senator pritchara-
Tax On misunderstanding Office
10 BE Opened.
Especial to virginian-Pilot)

April 4th to test the constltutionality OF
the act abolishing the Railway Com
mission, when he has four years yet to
serve.
Yesterday no less than 32i bills were
ratified. This, 1t is said, breaks all rec
ords for one days work. This Legisla-
ture has broken the record as to the
number of bills introduced.
UNDER WHIP AND SPUR.
The provisions of the actions in the
revenue bill taxing railways upon gross
earnings, which passed the House un-
der whip and spur were the work of
Representative Willard. 1t is his pet
scheme. Yesterday afternoon he was in
the Senate listening to the discussion
there OF these sections, and said that
he felt sure the Senate would strike
them out. II was an excellent predic-
ton, Tor ABOUT midnight tire s5on5tr
took that step. There is "a bill which will
get much more taxes out of the rail
ways. The opponents OF the willard
schemc admit that the railways do not
pay their just proportion Of taxes The
railways say they do, and much more,
as compared with other property.
THE a. AND n. c. RAILWAY.
The project Of getting control of the
"a
and of extending it westward is GER
tainly not abandoned The next Lcgls-
lature will be approached on that sub
ject. w. J. Edwards, the promoter Of
the plan, says he has raised 500 600
this making 100000.
SO far this Legislature has granted
charters TO twelve railways and has
rescnded the charters of as many
more
There was another blizzard last night
IVh
did not lie on the ground. To-day Il gale
blew steadily and the cold was keen.
DELIGHTED WITH PRITCHARD.
The Republicans here are delighted
at Senator Pritchard's letter in the
Washington Post on North Carolina
politics and with his attack on the pro-
posed franchise amendment TO the con-
stitu.ion.
Your correspondent asked the chair
man of tho Joint Committee on Finance
what were the taxes on theatres under
the new revenue act. He said 5000 to
the State and county a places where
the population exceeds 10000 and that
exceed that sum. When asked if any
complaints had been received from
theatre owners, he replied no
MINOR MATTERS.
The Railway Commission met to-day.
Major j. w. Wilson presiding. DIR. Alb
bott and Samuel l.. Rogers, the latter
the new member of the board. Were In
attendance
A recruiting office will be opened here.
Major Davis. the army officer on duty
here. yesterday received the blanks.
The new Commissioner of Agricul-
turc, Samuel l.. Patterson, goes into
office June 18th. John Il. Smith holds
until that date.
So far no news has been received here
of damage to the fruit trees by the in
tense cold in February.
TO-DAY'S LEGISLATION
A bill passed the Legislature to-day
giving extraordinary powers TO the
newly created Corporation Commission
is assessing property which has in any
way escaped taxation: also n resolu-
tion providing for a thorough investi-
CATION of the agricultural department
and penitentary.
The House passed the Senate bill ap-
propriating $1,000 for n statue to II. II.
Vance In Capitol Square. Appropria-
lions for the three hospitals for the
insane, aggregating S245, 900. were
made; also $1,000 for schools for deaf
mutes and blind.
The House concurred in the Senate
amendments to the Stevens antitrust
bill. These strike out the very objec-
tionable fifth section.
AN EXPENSIVE PENITENTIARY.
ating $4,000 this year and a like sum
for next year for maintenance of the
penitentary.
The contract for the public printing
was awarded to Edwards & Broughton,
and T.. NJ. UZzel, of Raleigh
The House agreed, after many hours
conference. TO all the Senate amend
ments to the revenue act These strike
out the much talked of two per cent
tax on gross earnings of railways. |
The House, under whip and spur,
adopted these sections, but at midnight
last night, after long debate. the Sem
ate struck them out
The House and Senate adopted n res
olution to adjourn al noon tomorrow
until the second Tuesday in June, 1900.
OTHO WILSON'S CASE.
Forty days ago. and pending his
hearing by the Legislature of Governor
RuSsells reasons for removing him as
Railway Commissioner Ohio Wilson
placed his resignation in the hands or
the Speaker of the House. to be accent
ed as soon as his case was DISPOSED of
Last Thursday night it was decided
that his removal was illegal His resig-
nation was then accepted. To-day his
attorney created q great sensation here
by going before the Railway Commits
sion and protesting against the as
sumption of duties by Samuel l.. Roc-
ers. who was yesterday elected by
the Legislature n commissioner to sue
coed Wilson, on the ground that
and does not abandon title. The attor |
ney says he made this statement with |
out Wilson's knowledge. Chairman Jas.
w. Wilson then announced that he had |
repeatedly been told by Ohio Wilson
that his resignation was written in good
faith, and so he chairman WILSON,