The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-02-15
,all, heard Of. the bill before it passed the

call, heard Of the bill before it passed the
Senate.
Senator Flood stated that the bill was
read in the committee. and the senator
who moved to- report the bill was then
on the floor.
DO you mind telling the name of tbs
senator?'' asked Mr.. Glass.
IF the senator does not object, re-
II don't think he will object said 0Mr.
Glass.
II have reference to the Senator from
Halifax replied Mr. Flood.
Mr. Barksdale rose and stated that il
he had made the motion he had no recol-
lection of it. Itfwas probable that he
did make the motion, thinking this was
an ordinary charter bill. He certainly
did not know at that time and was not
yet familiar with the provisions of the
act.
Senator Flood went on to argue that
the bill did not contain those objection
able features many senator's seemed 10
think it did. It gave to the city and. town
councils full power to regulate and con-
troll telephone companies. The bill was
designed to build up a comprehensive
/. telephone service, reaching into every
county and city inEthe State, and 1t would
be Of great advantage to the country
neoDIe Mr.. Flood reminded the senator's
that while under the present statutes me
cities can hinder and rctard THIS great
enterprise the counties cannot do SO uil-
der the law The only unusual provision
in this charter was that the company
could 60 into a city or town without get
ting the permission Of the council. After
the company gets into 4 city or town the
council can regulate and control the
poles and wires and the general opera
ticns of the company in such municl-z
pality Mr. Flood said the provisions III
this act SO much criticised is the law In
more than thirty States of the Union
Senator Sands, the patron of the OIL,
having arrived, said it had been proper
offered; it had been considered in the
committee and passed by the usual meth.
ods While he had been asked by the
CITY Council of Richmond To oppose the
measure he wanted it understood that
he was not amenable to the Council. oht
to the citizens OF Richmond. Prominent
citizens of Richmond. one a known candi-
cate for Governor. had asked him to
offer the bill. Mr.. Sands saw nothing OBJ
iectionable in the bill, and he thought
it's passage would be of great benefit to
the people OF Richmond. Mr.. Sands said
ne had no objection to the passage of
the Giass resolution.
Senator Glass closed the debate. and
pointed out several features OF the act
ne regarded as Objectionable.
Nlr. Glass resolution was unanimously
passed.
GOES BACK TO SENATE.
I'ne crowd of persons interested IN this
bill that gathered at the Capitol at 4
O'Clock yesterday afternoon was so large
the House Committee on General Laws
adjourned to the Hall of the House
Nearly every seat was occupied, there
beng many persons from distance IN
ATTENDANCE. Mr.. Hunley presided in the
absence OF Chairman Parks.
Mr. N1cAllister called attention to the
action of the Senate, and moved that
consideration Of the bill be indefinitely
postponed. He said if this were done the
House to-day could send the matter back
to the Senate.
Mr. Graveiy thought the committee
should report the measure unfavorably.
He had not heard of the bill until last
Friday. On Saturday morning It was
not in the physca possession OF the
committee, but was being spirited
about by private parties. Without pass
ing upon the merits Of the measure, the
committee. in his judgment. should by
its adverse action. condemn the methods
employed, and let the bill be rentro-
duced in the Senate.
Senator Flood, who came into the Hall
just as N1r. Gravely concluded his re-
marks, asked to be allowed to ~ ke
statement. and was granted the privilege.
He stated that he was, responsible for the
bill being 'jacketed.,' 1t had been before
the committee for some time, and not
being able to secure a hearing on the
measure he had asked Chairman E1rks
to read it, which the Captain did. Tho
Chairman found no fault with the bill.
and signed his name as approving OF It,.
Other members endorsed it. but learning
that Col George Wayne Anderson wanted
to oppose the act, Mr.. Flood did not have
it reported to the House. The Senator
Indignantly denied that any effort had
been made to get the bill before tue
House in a surreptitious manner.
Mr.. Gravely said he did not mean to
reflect upon any one. but he did think the
dignity of the committee should be more
carefully guarded.
Mr. r. E. Byrd, one of the incorpora-
tors, spoke along the same lines as Mr..
Flood, and Col Anderson said what the
Senator from Appomattox had said in
relation to himself was correct.
HEARING POSTPONED.
Mr Pollock advocated reporting the
bill unfayorably. in order that the House
might dismiss it. and then the measure
might be again introduced in the Senate.
He thought this the only way to meet
the wishes of the Senate and overcome
parliamentary difficulties
After a discussion lasting over an hour.
the McAllister resolution to postpone in
definitely was carried. This morning the
House will receive the formal request for
the bill to be returned to that body, and
the request will, no doubt, be granted.