Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-11-11
TELEPHONES.
THE CORPORATION COMMISSION.

THE CORPORATION COMMISSION.
II the Richmond correspondents of some
of our out-of-town newspapers are well
informed-and We dare say they are-the
Governor has not been able to coax into
the Corporation Commission Mr.. Braxton
ard some othe- popular favorites. But
there are over a hundred applicants. or
persons who have been mentioned in this
connection" and we have no doubt he
will be able to form a satisfactory board
out of that number
When we say satisfactory. we speak
II would not be possible for Governor
Montas que or any other living man to
pick out three men for these places whom
Rll Nirginians would rejoice to see thus
honored. We may calculate with rnathe-
NAUTICAL certainty that a great many peo-
pie will be disappointed. and not a few
dissatisfied. when the names are announc-
I'd. yet we doubt not that the Governor
will make his selections with an eye single
to the interests of the State.
No doubt the Governor has had more
difficulty in selecting the lawyer member"
than any other member of the commits
sion MIR. Braxton would have filled the
bill exactly. and there was popular de-
mand for his services. but it is under
stood that he would not accept service.
Upon the floor of the convention he said
he wouldn't and he will not. However.
the Governor is himself q lawyer Of dis
tinction, with an extensive personal &C.
luaintance with the bar Of the State, and
we may rely upon him to fill this place
ard each of the other two places with a
man OF good parts.
What he does in this matter is to be
reviewed by the General Assembly ''in
joint session.
That is al; awkward expression, but ii
means that the two houses of the Cen
eral Assembly will come together in joint
session, and then and there con
firm or disapprove the Governors selec-
tons.
W. suppose the Ssnate will meet
In its chamber and the House of Delegates
in its hall, and. that after the usual inter
change of messages the Senate vii! file
into the hall and be received by the dele
gates standing, and that Lieutenant-Gov-
ernor Willard will then take the chair
with Speaker Ryan on his right hand.
That done. we presume the communication
from the Governor will then be opened.
Rules for the government of the Join,
assembly will, We guess. have been adopt
ed already; but if they have not been. they
will be adopted then. To some extent the
proceedings will be analogous to those
which take place when a United States
Senator is elected; but there may be this
difforence-the joint assembly may choose
10 refer the nominations to a committee!
The Senate always considers the nomi-
nations of the executive in secret session
but we have never known joint assembly
to shut its doors upon the public. 1t has
the power to. do SO, but far we
have any information on the subject all
precedents favor open doors.
If the General Assembly confirms the
nominees Of the Governor, one will hold
Office until the LIST of February. 1904, one
until the list of February, 1906, and one
until the lst of February, 1908.
Thereafter members of the commission.
each, will hold Office for six years.
We suppose it will be for the Governor
to indicate in the first instance the term
Of each Of his nominees.
The commission elects one of Its own
members as its chairman. The terms of
office begin on March lst 1903 The pay
is 10 be not less than $4,000 per annum.
Before the Corporation Commission can
actually begin work, the Legislature must
provide suitable quarters for it, fix the
pay of its members: provide how witnesses
rnay be summoned; how processes shall
be executed: regulate the pay and duties
of It's clerks. assistants and subor6iua,es.
After 1905 the General Assembly NAV,
provide fer the election Of the members
OF the commission by the qualified voters
OF the State.
' Everybody does not know 1t, but we are
aware many do. that the Corporation
Commission viii be charged with The duty
i CT Issuing all charters and amendments
or extensions thereof for domestic cor
porat'ons' a':d I'LL licenses TO do business
IN this State to foreign corporations; and
p through which shall be carried OUT the
provisions OF the new Constitution and OF
me laws made in pursuance thereof for
the creation. visitation. supervision. recu-
latioc and control of corporations cbar,er-
cd by or doing business in this State"
--==-=
Speaker Henderson win no. retire until
4 ,nhs end Of his term i, apnears ne