Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-01-09
Especial to virginian-Pilot.)

tSpeclal to Vtrginian-Pilot.)
Richmond, Jan. S.-The whole LeEis-
lature was startled this morning by
the actions Of q crazy negro. About
IL o'clock he srolled into the hall of
the House and announced that he was
possessed Of u divine commission to
talk wherever he chose and just as
much as he pleased.
He began at once to exercise that
right. much to the CONSERVATION of
Sergeant-at-Arm J. NJ. Johnson. De-
spite the fact that the negro was
powerful fellow and armed with a
heavy cane. MIR. Johnson tackled him,
receiving several painful blows on the
hands in so doing. Several members
came to his aid. II policeman was Sc
cured and the man, whose name is
ELAN. was soon behind the bars.
He is undoubtedly crazy. and will
probably be committed to some asylum.
THE ELECTION LAW.
The matter OF greatest moment in
the House to-day was an amendment
to the election law. introduced Jointly
by Messrs. Powell and Barclay, which
Is, indirectly, an educational Qualifica-
tion. 1t provides for the removal OF
the judges or constable from the booths,
and leaves the illiterate voter 10 mark
his ballot unaidcd. The bill provides
FOR the appointment of Il supervisor
from each political party represented in
the election, who shall enter the booths
and mark ballots for all electors who
are blind or otherwise physically dis
qualified from performing the service
for themselves but these supervisors
shall mark ballot for one another. The
Judges are to pass on the physical dis
qualification before the supervisor NAV
act
THE OYSTER BEDS.
a matter of considerable interest to
the oyster section of the State was the
resolution introduced by Mr.. Pollock.
which reads as follows:
Resolved, That the Committee on
FINANCE enquire into the expediency
OF authorizing the appropriation of the
sum OF $500. to be paid out of any
money in the treasury not otherwise
appropriated upon the order of the E,S
ecutiVe. when the work is done. and for
the purpose of having the boundary
Line between 81 tsttc OF Virginia and
the State of Maryland in the Tangler
and Pocomoke sounds plainly and per-
manently marked, and report by hill mr.
otherwise.
The resolution was referred to the
Appropriation Committee
GRIMES BATTERY CLAIM.
The Grimes Battery, of Portsmouth,
won n signal victory In the House. The
bill to recompense them for their ardu-
Gus duties during the prevalence OF
yellow fever at the Soldiers Home was
reported adversely by the committee.
Chairman Boaz explaining that tech
meal questions involved had rendered
it out of the province of Il committee
to decide them. Mr.. Bland, patron of
the bill. made a forceful speech In adj
vocacy OF payment of the claim. lie
went INFO q detailed and minute dis
cussion of the circumstances under
which the battery performed the SER
vice.
Others who advocated payment of the
claim were Mr.. Whitehead, Of Norfolk;
Mr.. Madison, Mr.. Thomas N. Jones,
Todd and others.
Among those who opposed payment
We're Messrs. Barclay. NrcAllister, Not
tingham. Petit Parks and others
The vote was 80 TO 80 in favor of the
claim, the bill being ordered to its en-
grossment.
PENSIONS.
Mr. Hutchinson introduced bill Civ
ing relief to widows OF soldiers. sailors
or marines. The present general pension
law gives pensions to wounded soldiers.
etc, who are in need OF aid, but the
pension expires with their death. Mr..
Hutchesons bill provides that upon the
death of the husband so wounded In the
service and receiving q pension there
for, the pension shall become payable
thereafter to his widow. 1t Is provided
that only these soldiers wives who
were married prior to January 1. 1865.
shall benefit under this act. for which /;
desires compensation to the extent of
sl51S.05
TAXATION OF RAILROADS.
a bill was presented by Mr., Graveley.
amending sections 10 and 20 of the gem
eral revenue law. SO as to secure proper
valuation of railroad property for tax
alton. a proper assessment of such
property by the Board of Public Works,
1T Is commended would undoubtedly
yield an additional revenue OF at least
$4,000 to the State.
OTHER BILLS.
Other bills presented and referred
were as follows:
BY Mr.. John Whltehead-To author