The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-02-20
VIRGINIA LEGISLATIVE DoINes.

| tive vacancy. DE had no oppOsl''on
Governor Tyler has signed the bill Of
incorporation OF the Virginia Council
OF the Junior Order United American
Mechanics
The Governor has signed the bill
providing for separate accommodations
on steamboats, for white and colored
passengers. This is a companion meas
ure to the Jim Grow" car bill. Both
20 into effect July next
The Senate Friday devoted some time
TO consideration Of the bill to prevent
the use Of money in elections Senator
Barksdale spoke at length In support OF
the measure and it went over until
Wednesday, when it will be disposed
Of.
The special committee appointed to
inquire into the cost Of remodelling
and repairing the Capitol Building
have concluded their duties. They Will
offer bill for an appropriation Of
about $50. OOO This amount will put
the building in excellent condition.
Senator Fairfax. chairman OF the
finance committee, reported the bills
granting a charter to Tire Seaboard AIT
Line to build road to Washington
and providing for the sale Of the State 8
holdings in the r., f. q p. Railroadi
On Senator Floods motion these meas.
ures were made the special order for
today at u 40 o'clock.
CIV Tyler has thus far signed 800 bills
paesed at this session Of the General AS
sembly. A large number passed by the
two houses have not yet reached the
Governor. The amount OF labor in
yolyed in examining all the bills passed
is immense. The 800 bills which the
Governor has examined cover oyer 500
pages, probably 20 by l6 inches IN
size
The bill authorizing the Board OF
Supervisors Of Orange to make an APP
preparation to the Confederate mona
ment has passed both houses OF the
Legislature. The maximum amount
named in the act is $500. which, II
allowed, will be sufficient, with the
amount already collected, TO purchase
the handsome shaft which has been
selected.
The House Committee on Schools
and Colleges will report favorably the
bill TO enable the Polytechnic Institute
20 provide new accommodations. The
bill permits the institution to issue
300. 600 of bonds, the interest to be
guaranteed by the State. The proceeds
are 60 be devoted to the erection of new
buildings The institute asks for an
additional yearly appropriation OF
sl2 900 to pay the interest charges
Both the Senate and House passed
large number of bills without objection
The most important Of these was the
passage by the Senate Of bill offered
by Senate James amending the law i'm
posing fines upon express companies
for making overcharges. Under the
law. az amended at the last session,
companies could not be punished II they
made restitution within ten days after
demand. Under the new bill no op'
portunity Is given for correcting over
charges, but the making Of one makes
the company liable TO fine Of not less
than g. not more than S25, one-halt to
the party aggrieyed.
The Dispatch Of last Thursday says
mr.. Embrey, who was in the chair,
sustained Mr.. Boazs point, and Mr..
Anderson appealed from the decision.
SNEAKER Saunders, on the floor, and Mr..
Ryan agreed that the ruling OF the
CHAIR was proper. Mr.. Jennings took
issue with them, aud Mr.. Anderson
made a vigorous speech in opposition
to the ruling Mr. Ryan retorted with
some feeling to Mr.. Anderson, and Mr..
Embrey, in putting the notion stated
that he found the Chair sustained by
rulings Of the Thirty fourth and Fifty
fifth Congresses. The House, by vote
Of 40 to "a, sustained the CHAIR, which
was occupied by Mr.. Embrey protein
pore "
The Senate committee on public in
stitutions and education spent over
three hours Friday night hearing argu-
ment on the bill providing for chap
lain for the penitentiary. A strong
array Of Baptist ministers appeared In
opposition to the bill, while Episcopal,
Presbyterian, and Methodist clergy.
men ttrongly urged its passage. DR.
Hawthorne led brilliant fight for the
absolute separation Of church and State.
ably assisted by Drs. Pollard and Pitt.
Of Richmond, and DR.. Battle, of Peters
burg. Rev. Landon r. Mason, champ
ion for the bill, was supported by Dr.
Kerr, Rev. Mr. Beauchamp, Rev. Mr..
Snead, Hon. George D. Wise. and Mr..
Eugene Massie. The indications are
that an agreement will be reached for
the governor to appoint chaplain, the
various denominations in Richmond to
unite in paying the salary.
Hon. ]. L. Shelton, Of Louisa. has
introduced two very important meas
ures in the House. The bills seek to
change the time when the five per
cent. penalty shall be added to tax
bills. Under the present law the PEN
atty Is added December lst, and the
traasnrar haoina IN recaive taxna Jnly