The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-08-12

IL Nilt LOOK like old times TO see Inc
Legislature back here this fall
Not since the spring of 1857 has there
been an extraordinary session Of the Cen
eral Assembly General Fftzhugh Lee
was then Governor, and the necessity for
me converting of the Legislature is ex-
I!saed In the following extracts from
ms message to the two Houses, dated
March 18th, 1887:
IN sending this message TO your hon
oraoie bodies, it is my purpose
FIRST, to call your attention TO the pres
ent condition of the debt OF the Common
wealth. and to the very recent decision OF
the Supreme Court of the United States
IN reference to the law imposing tax upon
sample merchants.
Second. to ask that you receive. and II
proper. adopt the work Of the revision OF
the Code
Third to request that you make proper
provision for the comfortable mainte-
nance Of the insane, who are now con-
fined in jaiis, because of insufficient ac-
commoaation at The regular asylun1s
erected for that purpose I also express
the hope that If possible You will legis-
late on such other subjects as in your
Judgment the public interests may re-
uuirc''
SAT sIXTY-EIGHT DAYS.
The proclamation of the Governor. call
18th. 1887. the Legislature convened on
Wednesday. March 18th, and adjourned
on Tuesday. May ta4th, having been in
session sIty-eigft days
After the transaction Of the special bust
ness for which the extra session was
called. as set forth in the foregoing ex-
tracts from the Governors message a
great deal of general legislation was gone
into. as is evidenced by the Acts of As
semhIv. extra session 1887 which volume
contains about six hundred pages.
So 1t has been nearly fourteen years
since the members of the General Assem-
bly, have had an opportunity to accom-
regular sessions. which meet biennially
on the first Tuesday in December and con-
tinue for nInty days.
BIG BATTLE ON.
It IS evident that when The extra session
Is convened this fall. there will be a big
fight between those members who believe
that nothing should be done except to
prepare for the election of delegates to
the Constitutional Convention and set a
time for holding same, and others who
contend that inasnluch as the members
and officers are paid for fortZ-five days
whether they remain in session or not,
the full time ought to be consumed in
dealing with general legislation, after the
convention matter shall have been dis
posed of.
Il may be that Governor Tyler viii, On
his message. recommend the considera-
ton of other matters. as Governor Lee
did in 1857. but whether he hoes or not,
there is every evidence of such struggle,
as prominent leaders on beth sides have
already eX expressed their views very strong
" on the subject.
WILL FIGHT HARD.
IT Is understood that Southside sena-
tor who is one of the ahlest men in the
Legislature and whose views carry great
weight IN the councils of the party. has
stated that he proposes to fight the prolso-
snic, for general legislation with the ut
most vigor. while a great number Of mem
hers of both Houses have declared that
they VIII favor Il very strongly.
In fact. those who favor throwing down
+bs bars and taking up collateral matters,
have even gone SO far as 10 say what
general legislation should be considered, 50
confident do they seem OF winning the
battle.
TO RE-ENACT THE LAW.
It is stated on what appears 10 be good
authority, that # the members shall decide
TO do more than arrange for the Consttu-
tionaI Convention, an effort VIII De
made TO re-enact the Commissioners Oh
Valuation law. which failed OF 4 cons .u-
tionaI vote at the last session, ana "il.cif
was for that reason set aside by the SUI
The advocates OF the measure claim that
they can PASS it through the House, anu
mat they are very hopeful of IT'S tate al
the Senate.
AMEND PENSION ACT.
The recent pension act is announcer qu :s
ton which Will very probably be colislu-
cred. If the general legislation forces WIN
out The Parks bill, as passed at Ihe ia..
session has proven very unsat:stac'orS, an
that after paying those areacy on n dao
pension rolls, there was the sum OF S-9,Ve'
Ia be divided among 5000 pensioners, Witch
amounted TO practically no pension a. az,
as about 500 per head could brlns pls
1irtIe relief TO the suffering coIuttu1is "
those who received Z.
A prominent member Of the lower hoti"e
said 2 few days ago That the pEacticai
onerations OF the act were not foreseen py
its friends, and that it should be anehdeu
al the very first opportunity
In addition to bills which affect the state
al large there will, Of course, be innulne.-
ahla nrivate bills and charters, local IN
their nature
TWO MEMBERS GONE.
Inas.,.uch as there are no officers to De
elected, and the committees OF ooth
Houses are already appointed. there shouii
be very little delay in getting to WORK alte'
the session is convened
There are two new members OF t'e
House Of Delegates who were CHOSEN at
the May election to fill vacancies caused 9y
death One comes to fill the place Oh Tue