The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-01-11
VIRGINIA LEGISLATIVE poINes.

Sergeant at Arms j. w Johnson, Of
the House Of Delegates, was attacked
Monday morning by released negro
lunatic who tried to force his way into
the hall. The man said he wanted to
preach. He claimed that he had
divine commission to preach wherever
and whenever he pleased. When Mr..
Johnson attempted to keep him out the
lunatic used powerful cane and struck
the officer several blows. The negro
was finally overpowered, but not until
several members Of the House came to
the officers aid.
Messrs Powell and Barclay intro
duced bills in the House Monday pro.
posing to amend the election law 80 as
to require an educational qualification
indirectly. The bill provides for the
removal Of the judge or the special
constable from the election booth, and
thus leaves the illiterste voter to pre-.
pare his own ballot unaided The bill
provides for the appointment Of a
supervisor from each political party
who are to prepare ballots for the blind
and others physically unable to do so
Mr.. Pollock introduced resolution
in the House. which was referred, ap-
propriating $500 for the purpose Of
having the boundary line between Vir-
ginis and Maryland. in the Tangier
and Pocomoke sounds, permanently
marked
Mr.. Bland introduced bill. which =,
il enacted, will be important. 1t re-
quires railroad companies to make con-
nection with each other.
In the Senate Mr. Barksdale, Of
Halifax, introduced a bill which he
offers as a substitute for that prohibit
ing the corrupt use Of money in cleo
tions. This latter measure is modelled
after the Missouri law on the subject Of
corrupt use of money in elections.
Under suspension Of the rulos, the
Senate passed a joint resolution TO ap.
point a joint committee of five to in
vestigAte and report upon the question
Of rearranging the judicial circuits OF
the State. This arrangement is not to
90 into effect until January 1, 1902.
Senator LeOato introduced his bin
for establishing and maintaining an
epileptio colony. The provisions Of
this measure have already been publish
cd.
Among the bills passed by the Senate
Monday was one originating in that
body permitting the Atlantic Coast
Line to change its name by emitting
Virginia +"
In the House Mr. Gravely. Of Henry
county, introduced bill which, he
claims, il enacted. will annually In.
crease the revenues from railroads BY
half million dollars The bill pro-
vides for assessing railroad property on
the basis Of bonded indebtedness and
the capital stock This proposition
conforms 10 the views OF Governor
Tyler On the subject Of railroad taxa.
tion.
Among the House bills passed were
the following:
To declare Rapidsn river lawful
fence from Liberty Mills to the line OF
Greene county.
To authorize Barbour District School
Board, in Orange county. to transfer
$500 of its surplus fund to the county
school board.
The Eppes bill. to require railroads
to furnish separate coaches for negroes,
was before the House committee Tues
day morning. Many representatives OF
railroads were present TO oppose the
measure and advocate one prepared by
Mr.. W. A. . Glasgow, counsel for the
Norfolk and Western. The substitute
authorizes conductors to assign passen-
gers to any seats they may see fit. Sem
ator Henry T. Wickham, counsel for
the Chesapeake and Ohio; Mr.. Alex.
Hamilton, for the Atlantic Coast Line;
Judge Josiah Leake, for the Richmond,
Fredericksburg and Potomac, were
among those who spoke in favor Of the
substitute. The committee meets again
Saturday.
In the Senate Judge Mann, Of Motto
way, introduced bill designed to revo.
lutionize the Department of Agricul-
ture. 1t does not change the method
of appointment of the Commissioner or
members of the Board Of Agriculture,
but confers upon the department great
ly enlarged powers 1t appropriates
out of the State treasury $40. 600 an
nually, which is to be In addition to
the funds received from the fertilizer
tax. The act makes provision for ex'
detrimental farms where fertilizers and
seeds may be properly tested and differ
emit kinds of stock raised. The bill
makes some changes in the fertilizer
act recently passed with view to over
coming some legal difficulties.
Mr.. Bowles introduced bill which
defines all Migrants and beggars. save
females minors under l6 years OF age or
deaf or blind persons, who shall wander
from place to place and practice beg
gary, to be tramps. and provides that
they shell be punished therefor by i'm.
prisonment in Jail for one year. The
bill further provides that II such tramp
is found with weapon on his person.
or shall threaten or intimidate any
person. or shall kindle any fire in the
highway. or on the land Of another
without the consent Of the owner, he
shall DO deemed guilty of felony and
shell be confined In the penitentiary
not less than one nor more than three
years.
The House Committee on Schools
and Colleges, Of which Mr.. Byau, of