Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1902-12-15
LEGISLATURE.
SENATE.

SENATE.
The st. Louis exposition bill was put
on its passage on Saturday afternoon,
and by one vote was defeated. The bill
received twenty of the twenty-three
votes present. but one additional vote
was needed to pass it. That the bill
was not defeated was due to the quick
work of the friends Of the proposition.
Just as the defeat of the bill had been
announced motion was made to recon-
slider the vote. Then some lively
skirmishing was done in order to get
some member who had voted in the
negative on the measure to make the
necessary motion. Senator Ford finally
yielded to the wishes of the friends OF
the bill, and when he had made a mo-
ton to reconsider and it had been agreed
to, Senator Barksdale followed it with a
motion to postpone the bill until Mon
day, which was done.
The bill relating to the right of per-
emptory challenge of jurors in civil cases
by the defence and the plaintiff, with
out assigning of any reasons, was ordered
10 its engrossment.
The bill regulating the speed of auto
mobiles was ordered to its engrossment.
Senator Barksdale introduced another
pure-elecsion bill Hesaid that he drew
the present bill because he felt satisfied
that it would be more acceptable to the
committee on elections than his other
bill; that it was simplerand less complex
and would prove easier of execution.
The bill prevents candidates or their
friends and adherents from spending
money, and provides a heavy penalty,
including forfeiture of Office for violations
of the proposed act. 1t also provides
that all candidates shall file statement OF
their expenses verified, together with the
following oath:
al do solemnly swear that the statement
herewith filed embraces all money spent by
me in my behalf with my knowledge by
my'a lherents and friends; that / have
neither directly or indirectly arranged, en-
couraged or connived at spending of any
money other than as shown in my said
statement; that have not repaid any
money so spent or claimed to have been
so spent and that / will not do so, and
that have not violated any of the pro-
visions of this act in letteror in spirit, SC
help me God"
The bill also provides that in any con-
test for offices, if it is shown that the
holder of the Office violated any of the
provisions of the act, the Office shall bt
declared vacant.
HOUSE.
Bills were introduced and referred
To suspend payment Of taxes on lands
enormously assessed until matter can bt
adjusted.
Authorizing and providing associations
or asylums for support and education o.
orphans and INDECENT children and place
incorrigible children with the Prison
Association of Virginia.
To protect owners of children the
benefits of elementary education.
To prevent internal improvement
companies from condemning the prop
erty of schools and colleges.
To protect owners of boilers and
other machinery.
The unfinished business of the session
was the bill providing the manner Of
choosing commissioners of the revenue
and the substitute therefor. The de-
bate consumed two hours and though
the pending question was ordered and
the amendment providing for selection
by the circuit judges was voted down,
the House adjourned before vote could
be had on the other propositions.
Mr.. Cation argued for the appoint
ment of commissioners by the courts.
He said that he was for the popular
plan if the commissioners were eligible
for reelection, but with their service
limited to one term, if chosen by the
people, he favored the plan that would
give the counties the services Of ex-
perienced men.
Mr.. Lee, of Fairfax, made an earnest
argument in favor of his plan of choos-
ing commissioners through the medium
OF the boards of supervisors who through
their familiarity with conditions in the
counties and with the merits of the APP
plicants could choose the best men and
retain them if they proved efficient.