The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-03-19
FREE BRIDGE BILL
IS strongly URGED

rcll, of Bedford, form q subcommittee to
whom the matter was referred for re-
port.
The general bill increases the appro-
priation to most of the State institutions,
and raises the salaries of several of the
State officers, including the Second Aud
itor and the Labor Commissioner. The
clerk to the Railroad Commissioner also
gets a raise of salary. Practically the
only matter to be disposed of now is tho
question of giving the University of
Virginia an additional sum Of $4,000.
This will be determined this morning.
and the report will probably be made to
the House to-day.
What is regarded as one Of the most
progressive pieces Of legislation which
has passed either branch OF the General
Assembly in many years was adopted by
the House yesterday, when by an over
whelming majority the Mathews dog
law bill was passed.
The bill imposes a tax on dogs ranging
from so cents to $3.50. The revenue SO
6c,ived goes into q county fund to re
used in paying for sheep destroyed by
dogs. The sheep are to be paid fc.' ac-
cording to their assessed value. Those
who advocated the measure undertook
to demonstrate by statistics that where
such law had prevailed the sheep IN
1ustry had increased rapidly and had be-
come a source of great profit to the
To,mers. The bill was adopted as it came
from the hands Of the patron, with the
exception of an amendment offered on
tie floor by Mr.. Mathews himself, pro-
viding that it should not apply to couli-
ties now having special dog tax laws
Mr. Mathews was fairly lionized by ms
colleagues when the Speaker, amid great
applause, announced the passage Of the
bill. He was very happy last night, and
f1ofa, tf10 CT an
bill would pass the Senate. Mr.. Mathews
is a very modest man, and declined to
take all the credit to himself for getting
the measure through the House, but
warmly praised the efforts OF Messrs.
Eaker of Westmoreland; West, of Louisa;
Settle, of Rappahannock; Owen. OF Prince
Edward, and others, who rendered him
valuable assistance in the matter. 1t is
believed that Governor Montague will slsn
the bill If it is passed by the Senate, and
that the masses Of the people will hail
it with delight, from what can be learned
on the subject
The Norfolk city contested election cases
will come up before the Elections Com
mittee of the House this morning at 10
O clock. Messrs. J. e. Heath, Jr, and r. w.
Mallett are counsel for Messrs Lambeth
and Bibb, the contestants, while the sit
ting members, Messrs. Whitehead and
Woodard, will be represented by NIessrs.
George Pitcher and Thomas ]. Randolph,
of Norfolk.
All the attorneys are here and expressed
their readiness last night to go on with
the argument to-day. Mr. James V.
Trehy, the leader OF the faction to which
the sitting members belong. and Mr.. Bib,
one of the contestins candidates. ere also
III the city. Both sides express the utmost
confidence in the result. Mr.. Lambeth
is in the mountains for his health, and
cannot attend the hearings.
DR.. John c.. Everett, DR.. Coleman J.
C;.beil and Mr.. G.. w. Smith, of Nelson
county, arrived in the city last night to
secure the passage OF a charter through
the Legislature incorporating the Rock
bridge Valley Railway Company. The
lire is to be an electric one, and will RUIZ
III the river from Rocilllshg depot, on the
Southern Railway, 20 the far-famed
Rnckiish Valley, at Tie foot OF the Blue
Ridge, in Nelson county. Mr. Smith is
secretary and treasurer Of Poctltish Min
ing and Milling Company. which operates
4 large copper mine III the county. and
lie will be ono of the directors of the
Few company.
The Senate Committee on Roads and
Internal Navigation yesterday afternoon
decided to report favorably the bill grant,
r {: a charter to the Norfolk and Berkeley
Bridge Company, which proposes to build
q bridge between Norfolk and Berkeley,
scl.t., of the present Norfolk and Western
fridge and between that bridge and the
Ccrnpostell;i bridge. The bridge is for the
Use ana will lie built by the Norfolk
Street Railway and Light Company.
The Senate Committee on Roads and
Internal Navigation has set Saturday at
IL O'CLOCK. as the time for a special hear
Ing on the BIZ. giving telegraph conpa-
r;es right of way along the lines Of rail-
reads. Coione! ]. r. Mcintosh. OF the
rostal Telegraph Company, will appear
10 argue Tor the bill. Colonel Anderson.
stated yesterday afternoon that lie was
IN favor of the bill. while Mr.. Wickham
thought that#in turning down this prom
c.dtion the Constitutional Convention had
done good thing.
one OF the features Of the week5in legis-
,ative circles will be the banquet which
the Richmond city delegates Will give the
members of the General Assembly at
Nurp,ly'ss on Friday night Governor
Montague and Lieutcaa pt-G overnor NE-ii-
lard will be the guests % honor. and