Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-01-12
Especial to virginian-Pilot.)

Richmond, Va, Jan. 1.-THE meeting
of the House Committee on Roads this
morning attracted general attention,
and the room was crowded while it was
in session. The matter under discus
sion was the Epps bill to provide sep
arate cars on the railroads for the
races.
1t soon became evident that this
committee was not unit on the bill
Though all are in favor of the general
proposition, some do not like the mea-
sure as ii now stands. Mr.. Epps vehe-
mcntly opposed any amendments and
asked that his bill be reported at once
either favorably or adversely
Mr.. W. w. Baker offered Il substitute
for the Epps bill. He said his people
wanted some legislation Oh this sub
body was forced to admit existed. But
he was not prepared to accept the Ipps
bill. Mr. Bakers measure excluded
from the operations of the proposed
law through express trains and coaches
occupied by people holding second
class or immigrants tickets
Mr. McAllister thought the commit
tee should move cautiously in this mat
ter and give the most careful consd-
Grafton to the subject. lie moved that
Subcommittee OF three be appointed
to Investigate the whole matter and
report saturday. This was adopted and
the chair appointed Mcssrs. ArcAllister,
Willard and Epps.
THE LAND-GRABRERS' ACT.
The Finance Committee this morn
Ing received from n subcommittee the
bill amending the Land Crabbers' Act
the particulars of which were printed
in to-days Virgnian- Pilot No action
was taken upon IT,, except to order a
number of copies to be printed.
THE ANTITRUST BILL.
The Barksdale- Gravcly antitrust bill
was TO have been considered by the
General Laws Committee this morning,
but quorum could not be secured
CAPITNTfON TAX AMENDMENT.
The Senate Committee on Finance de-
cidcd to report favornbly the bill to
amend the constitution 50 us 10 require
person to pay his caritation tax be-
fore being permitted to vote
SENATOR AIAYNARD'S BILLS.
In the Senate Mr.. Maynard offered
three COMPANION bills. The first au-
thorizes tho Board Of Supervisors of
Norfolk county to acquire, by purchase
or condemnation. land in the city Of
portsmouth to be used for the clerks
Office Of Norfolk County Court. The
second empowers tho Supervisors Of tbc
county to issue bonds for the purchase
OF additional real estate for the use Of
the Norfolk county ferries and for en-
largins the clerks Office. The third bill
amends the charter of the town of
Bcrklcy, so rs to validate n recent bond
Issued by the Town Council
y large number OF bills mostly of an
unimportant nature. were offered
among them was one by Senator I.e
Cato to incorporate the Eastern Shore
OF Virginia Produce Exchange.
THE WIFE BEATERs' Bill.
The feature in the House was :hs 81,
introduced by Mr.. John Whitehead. Of
Norlolk, 10 punish wlfc-b eatcrs with
stripes. When the bin came from the
committee with a favorable report Mr.
II. c. Pitcher said that he had some
amendments to offer He wanted an
married men excepted. He Thought
1hat 1t was strange that such a meas
ure should come from committee com
posed almost entirely of bachelors and
die moved that the bill be re-conm,;tnd
La
Mr.. Whitehead, the patron of the bill.
an reply, stated that Mr.. Pitcher wished
to ridicule the bill out of the House.
but the speaker said he was in earn
est in wishing the bill to become u law.
die knew that there were hundreds Of
men in Virginia-cruel men-who habit
uallly beat their wives, and who should
be punished in the proper manner.
They cared nothing for imprisonment
or fines, but stripes would have the de-
sired effect. He offered the measure M
the suggestion of the Police Justice of
Norfolk. Two letters were read. one In
support of the measure: another sur-
gesting that "a companion bill for tho
whipping of wives who beat their hus
bands.
MIR. Powell wanted the men protected
from the stalwnrt and unmcrciful
women. lie attended u case recently,
in which man had been all buncnd
UP by his wife. and he wanted men
protected.
Mr.. Newhousc, OF Cu1noper. agreed
with Mr. pitcher. He said he had
never heard Of a ease or wife beating
s in Culnepcr. and If such n thing should
hanren there, 1t would require no
statute in the premises. for Il gang
would take the man out and noe, him.
~ Mr.. Patteson moved to amend SO
that no whipping shall he imposed
where IL shall appear that the beating
! occurred in self defence and that the
/ cot shall NOT apply TO persons here
after married.