Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-11-26
DATE FOR NORFOLK CONTEST
Lambert and Bibb VS.. whitehead
md woodward Set for Dec. 9th.


The committee of the House on Privi-
leges and Elections met yesterday after
noon to set a date for the hearing OF the
contested case from Norfolk city OF
Messrs. Lambeth and Bibb VS. Messrs.
Whitehead and Woodward. The contest
ants were represented by their attor-
ney, Hon. r. w. Mallet, of Norfolk
Mcssrs. George Pitcher and Il. j.; j., ran
dolph, Of Norfolk and Mr. Thomas
Whitehead, Of Amherst. counsel for the
contestees, were not present, nor any OF
them. -
Finally, after discussing the matter of
a date for the hearing in rather In
formal manner, it was decided to near
the case on December 9Th, provided
Messrs. Pitcher and Randolph can be
present at that time.
The only other attorney in the case,
so far as known, is Mr.. James E. Heath,
Jr.. of Norfolk, associate counsel for the
contestants.
The record in the case is a Voll;nlinous
one, and if it Is gone into, 1t Will con-
sumo much time. The contest is one thar
grew out of the factional differences IN
the party in Norfolk.
Legislative Gossip.
Mr.. c. w. Waddy, member of the
House from Rockbridge, yesterday IN
troduced in the House bill defining what
constitutes a colored person or negro
in the legal view of the matter OF race.
The present law prescribes that any per-
son having one-fourth negro blood shall
be deemed negro. The object or the
proposed statute is to prevent lnteri1lar-
rage between whites and persons OF ne
gro descent Under the present law, any
one having less than one-fourth negro
blood is not deemed a negro. II the
Waddy bill Is enacted, miscegenatlon IN
even a remote form will be outlawed
Delegate George c. Bland. of King and
Queen county, is considering the matter
of reintroducing the bill offered by him al
former session providing that all execu-
lions shall be within the pententiary In
closure, instead of within the cities and
towns wherein the capital crime is COM
mitted. and the condemned person tried
and convicted. Many have endorsed the
bill. and there is considerable sentiment
behind it, 1t is thought by some that the
effect of the measure or one OF It's
effects, would be to minimize the number
of lynchings.
The various subcommittee of the joint
standing committees of the two houses
are getting down to work and are ALREADY
making considerable progress Many OF
the members individually or in these
rooms or in the room of some member at
such times as are most convenient to
them, and are disposing of considerable
laborious work. This they will later re-
port to the full committees.
The subcommittee from the JOINT
Finance Committee has nearly completed
the portion OF the work OF drafting the
statutes necessary to the new taxation
plan of the Constitution. Mr.. Boaz. or
Albemarle, is chairman OF the House
Committee and of this subcommittee OF
the Joint committee.
OF the several plans proposed for the
selection of commissioners of the reve-
nue. in counties it seems probable that the
plan of having them appointed by judges
of the circuits will prevail, if it be de-
termined not to leave the election OF
these officials to the people. The plan OF
having the boards of supervisors Of coun-
ty elect them is not popular. In the even,
that they are chosen by the people the
commissioners will be ineligible to sue
coed themselves
The refusal of the House Committee
to which it was assigned to report the
bill of Mr.. Folkes. proposing to abolish
the commlssaries or company stores will
not end the fight for the bill. Mr..
Folkes, the patron, lacked only two
votes Yesterday of the number necessary
to adopt his motion to discharge the
committee from consideration Of the
measure There is considerable sentiment
| in favor of some legislation along this
| lire and it is probable that the bill will
| be so amended as to meet the objections
| to it made by members of the committee
| Many of the members of the House admit
| there is demand for some legislation
along this line but favor measure less
sweeping in its provisions than that Of
| Mr.. Folkes.
| Hon. Charles T. Bland of Portsmouth,
has accepted an invitation to address
the Junior Order of American Mechanics
| at snithneld on Friday evening. The
occasion will be an event IN the Isle Of
| Wight metropolis. Mr.. Bland is one OF
the most fluent and forceful public speak
ers In the House, ana IS. freqie emily called
znpon a Is home and abroad.