The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-01-06
STATE LEGISLATIVE DoINGs.

adjournment was speedily taken, as
mark Of respect to the memory OF the
late Hon NJ s. Newberne, member OF
the House from Norfolk county. who
died during the holidays.
Among the bills introduced were
two House bills-one providing for a
general primary law FOX the selection
Of q candidate for the United States
Senate, offered by Mr. s. S. p. Pate
son, and the other by Mr.. Folkes, for
the reduction Of the salary of the
Clerk of the Senate to 5000 per month
during the time the General Assembly
Is in session.
FOR UNIFORM TAXATION.
The following important resolution
was introduced in the Senate by Mr..
Oogbill:
Whereas, il is believed shat the tax.
able real estate within this Common
wealth is not so assessed az to cause
taxation to be equal and uniform as
contemplated by Constitution and that
as a result some communities bear. In
proportion, much greater burdens than
other communities in the support OF the
government and.
Whereas. the present year Is the reg
ular time for the reassessment OF lands
and IL any action can be had TO remedy
this evil, it should be had speedily, so
as to be effective in said reassess
ment therefore be it
Resolved, That the Senate Com
mittee on Finance and banks shall
make inquiry into the subject. and re-
port as soon as practicable by bill or
otherwise. "
Among the Senate bills introduced
were the following:
BY Mr.. Wickhsm For the relief Of
Sarah A. Parry, widow OF Oonfed'
crate soldier.
BY Mr.. Jeffries: To amend section
549S Of the Code. in relation to the re-
lease aud satisfaction Of liens.
BY Mr.. Jeffries: To amend section
457 Of the Code. in relation TO what
real estate is 10 be exempt from taxa.
tion.
BY Mr. Jeffries To refund to Rich.
ard Ford fine paid by him for his
son, a lunatic.
A DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE.
Mr.. Eupuy introduced in the House
a bill to create Department Of In
surance in the State, and to provide
for the election Of a Commissioner Of
Insurance. to be paid salary Of g.
500 per year He shall Gee that all In
surance laws are complied with, and
shall exercise general supervision
over all insurance companies operating
in Virginia. Every insurance agent
in the State is required under this act
to report in January and July OF each
year the gross receipts derived from
his business, and to pay 2 per cent.
thereon
Mr.. Parks introduced bill to
amend an act to provide for the as.
sessment Of taxes ON personal property,
and incomes, and on licenses TO trans
act business The bill provides for in
Guiding ground rents in the list ct
taxable values
Mr. Gravely introduced another tax
bill, which increases the tax from 10
per cent on grossreoeipts and collect
ions of mutual benefits, guarantee. &C
cident and insurance companies OF
all descriptions. This bill. it lie esti.
mated. will increase the States reven-
ues $50. 600 per annum.
BILL TO PROVIDE HEAD TAX.
Senator LeOato, Of Aocomac, offered
a resolution in the Senate Thursday
proposing to restore the old capitation
tax law. This made the payment Of
this demand necessary to the right Ia
vote. The effect Of this law was to
force the dominant party, il 1t hoped
to win TO pay the poll tax Of its voters.
Before q campaign opened the political
parties sometimes paid the head tax Of
the voters In a bunch-hundreds Of
them at a time. This condition OF
things resulted In the repeal Of the
law. Under its operations the Re-
publicans brought thousands OF dollars
into the State and settled the taxes
for the negro voters. Senator Locate
proposes to remove this Objectionable
feature. His resolution provides that
a man who does not pay his capitation
for certain year shall be disqualified
for the exercise Of the electoral priv.
leges after the first Of July Of the fol.
lowing year. II he pays his taxes AZ.
ter this date, ii has no effect In re.
moving the bar. The object Of this
provision is to prevent candidates
from paying the capitation tax Of
voters. Under the old law this was
a common practice. II Senator lie.
Oato's bill passes it cannot be renewed.
Mr.. Clayton presented resolution
In the Senate proposing to amend the
Constitution 80 as to provide for levy.
ing a capitation tax Of 81 on male cit
liens for the use of public schools. also
a levy of not TO exceed mills on the
dollar for working the roads.
A conference Thursday Of the Demo.
cratic members Of the Senate continu.
ed the time for the Stands Boykins
committee to report The time ex-
PRED yesterday. The extention asked
for was granted.
A bill was introduced in the Senate
by Mr.. Glass to prevent the sale OF
adulterated and unbranded food in the
State. This bill provides that the
Board of Agriculture shall from time