The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1902-03-29
THE LEGISLATURE.

The House Committee on General Laws
unsupported favorably the bill introduced
by' Hon. d. B. Powers, Jr. OF Caroline.
to provide that the counties OF the state
shall have the right to impose general
license tax ON persons selling liquors in
addition To that paid to the State and
Government, provided that said county
tax shall not exceed in amount that
charged by the State. The revenues
derived from the law are to be used Tor
school and road purposes and Tor the
suppression of crime.
The Democratic caucus of the legis-
lature unanimously nominated Edmund
d. Akers, of Lynchburg, for state Rail
road Commissioner, in place Of ten.
James {. Hill. who declined a reelection.
he was elected by the Legislature
The General Assembly. without know
ing it. passed hill which has the effect
of repeating the Wharton law, which. by
prohibiting insurance companies from
combining to fix rates in Virginia, drove
the Southeastern Tariff Association out
of the State
The appropriation for improvements
Mt the executive mansion in Richmond
has been reduced from 81 800 To 5000.
Both branches of the Legislature have
passed the bill appropriating SlSO,OOO
Tor increasing the cell room at the state
prison.
The House refused to concur in the
Senate (Gold) Pension bill, but adhered
to the Cation measure passed by that
body
The General Laws Committee OF the
House has favorably reported bill,
making Memorial Day in Virginia, MAY
3Oth) a State holiday.
The appropriation bill passed by both
Houses provides SO, 900 for improving
the Capitol building. g.,
The Senate adopted resolution provld-
ing for acommission Ofseven to make 'ne
statute laws conform TO the new Constl-
tuition. Three of this commission VIII he
from the House and two from the Senate,
the remaining two to be selected 10y the
five. The cost of this commission IL not
to exceed $4,000.
The members of the House OF Delegates
presented Speaker Ryan with gold
watch. The presentation was made 10y
MIR. Thomas Gardner. of Henrico. The
recipient responded ieelingly. Mr.. Boaz'
chairman OF the House Finance Commit
tee. was presented with travelling case
by the other members OF the committee
These presentations are indicative OF the
fact that the end OF the present session OF
the Assembly has practically been reach
ed. The two bodies have closed 40 lar
as work is concerned. They remain IN
constructive session for several days IN
order to allow the Governor to sign bills
BILLS PASSED.
To incorporate the Upper Rap
pahannock Telephone and Telegraph
Company.
To amend and re enact an act approved
February 1G. 1901, entitled AN Act t.
Amend and Re-enact an Act Entitled
An Act to Incorporate the Fredericks
burg and RappahannOck Railway Tom
pany.' Approved February I, 1865.
TO cede to the United States Government
certain lands in the county OF Prlnc'
William.
To encourage the planting OF oyster'
in the deep waters OF Chesapeake bay
and to provide the mode OF obtaining
and holding assignments therein.
To Law off. designate and survey the
natural oysters rocks. beds and shoal'
in Nomini and Currioman bays, IN TN
county OF Westmoreland' and to include
the same in the originals geOdetic survel
of the natural oyster rocks, beds and
shoals of the Commonwealth.