Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1900-03-06

THE LEGISLATURE.
THE SENATE.

THE SENATE.
Great excitement existed in the Sen
ate yesterday and in business circles
in many of the cities of the State
over bill that originated in the House
and was passed by the Senate Saturday
10 the rush of business without that
body realizing the import and scope of
the bill. The measure provides for q
board consisting of the first and second
auditors and the State treasurer, who
shall appoint commissioner to assess
personal property 10 each city and
county. The act gives the com mission
or inquisitorial powers. He may de-
mand persons to make az exhibit of
their private accounts and the results
shall be kept for public inspection. The
bill was introduced 10 the House by Mr..
Parks. It provides for commission of
valuations and involves the appoint
ment of some 40 public officers, With
authority to inspect the books, accounts
and private interests of the citizens of
Virginia and to make public informa.
ton thus secured. AS soon as the Sen
ate met yesterday Senators Glass and
Munford worked hard to undo the
hasty work OF Saturday. Mr.. Glass pro-
posed apaper. which was quickly signed
by rs members, stating that the bill
was passed under misrepresentation and
requesting the Governor to withhold his
approval of the bill. This was sent to
the Governor. In the meantime Mr..
MunfOrd offered q resolution setting
forth that the bill received only 20
votes, which was not a constitutions
vote, and provided Tor correcting the
journal.
Mr.. Morris made the point of order
that the objection of Mr.. Munford
came too late, as the bill had passed.
The chair ruled the point not we'll
taken, as the Senator from Richmond
could not have made his motion earlier.
Mr.. Flood said the matter as to
whether constitutional majority WAS
necessary for the passage of the bill was
discussed among senators Saturday,
and it had been decided that such was
not required.
Mr.. Morris made the point that the
journal was absolutely correct, that it
showed exactly what took place, and
that the motion of Mr.. Munford was
only to correct ruling of the chair.
The chair ruled that the point was
not we'll taken, insofar as il sought to
make it appear that objection came too
late.
MIR. Flood reiterated that the journal
was correct, and that the courts must
decide whether it should have received
a constitutional vote.
While Mr.. Flood was speaking a
messenger arrived from the Governor
saying he had signed the bill.
The reply of Governor Tyler was as
follows:
To the Senste:
/ have received petition signed by ma
jority of the members Of your body request.
Ing me to withhold my signstu re from House
bill 553, providing for the appointment OF
commissioners of valuation and defining thei'
duties
have also received strong personal re-
the chairman Of tie finance committee, and |
not to let the bill die. In view Of these con- |
ficting requests, and also because feel it to |
be my duty rot to defeat legislation by with |
holding my signature unless the measure is
pa pably in violation OF good policy or clearly
! have decided to sign the |
bill at once, thus giving the General Assem-.
bly, an opportunity to amend or repeal the act
# in their judgment it Is desirable or neces- |
,ary.
Mr.. Glass took the floor and riddled
The bill, and severely arraigned Gov
Tyler for signing it under the circlm.
stances. Mr.. Glass said this bill was
he worst bill passed by the legislature
'ince the Capitol was built. He was
glad he had washed his hsnde clean
Of the whole matter. II was remark
able proceeding, that which had just
Twenty-Five Senators had
written appeal to the Gov
,rnOr to withhold his signature until
interested could be heard.
Even while the matter was under con-
liberation it had been mi-officially
that the Governor had sign
ID bill. The Governor had stated in
liz message that he acted at once in or
Ter to give the legislature time to
mend or repeal the laws. He ought
o have known that under the resolu-
ion adopted last week no new legisla-
ion could be offered except by uuani-
nous consent. The Governor had re-
used to give the people the right to be
eard. 1t was an amazing proposition,
nd the Governor would have to bear
he odium of it.
Mr.. Lyle, replying to the statement {
4 Mr.. MunfOrd that q horde OF Office 8
eekers had stood about while the Gov {
rnor signed the bill 10 the face of the
rotest from the Senate, said 1t looked I
0 him as if a horde of tax-dodgers was
fying to defeat the purposes of the set
y indirection.
A resolution was then offered by Mr.. G
|lass stating that the bill had not been
assed by recorded vote, as required
y the constitution, and directing that
ne memorandum be spread upon the
ecord as indicating the Senate's disap.
roval of the bill. This was passed by Q
vote of "a to IL, The vote was as 9
Flows: T.
Ayes-Messrs. Barksdsle, Clayton,
ogbill, Dinwiddie, Fairfax. Foster,
lass, Gold, Hartley. Harvey, James, =
.eezsll, LeCato, Mann, Massie, May. =
ard, McIlwsine, Munford. Stands, 81.
lair, Steele, Walker, Wallace and :,
Ihitehead-24. "
Noes-Messrs. Blakey, Donohoe, Egg .
eston. Flood. Jeffries, Jobnstoo, 2
yle, Morris, Opie, Sands, Tyler, Wick. =
The publication OF the bill yesterday =,