The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-12-04
10 ~ Senate Session.


The Senate had the longest session OF
its present adjourned term yesterday.
For more than TWO hours the members
were divided on what was best to 90
ard what could be done with the re-
port Of the special Joint committee on
special and local legislation.
The ACKNOWLEDGMENT finally. after
an extended and Lively discussion. cut
the knot by a decision that all seemed
to think was efninentiy wise and prop
er. and one that the body is fully viii
ling to allow to stand.
president Willard called the body to
order promptly at noon, and Rev. Carey
Z, Morgan. pastor Of the Seventh Street
Christian Church, offered prayer
The real work OF the day began by
the reading OF several bills sent over
from the House
The attendance Of members to-day was
larger than on yesterday, and but few
members are now absent. Senator
keezcn has returned from an absence
Of several days The attendance OF spec
tators. however, was small.
None of the standing committees were
ready with reports.
Bills offered were a follows.
BY NIr. Tyler: To amend and re-enact
Section $3.50 of tho Code OF Virginia, 1857.
relating regarding the charges made to
a grand ury Referred TO Committee of
Courts Of Justice.
BY same: To amend and re-enact Sec
ton rs Of the Code Of Virginia, 1887.
relating to fines imposed by justices Of
the peace. Referred to Committee on
Courts OF Justice
BY Mr.. Halsey: To provide for the
payment Of pensioners under the pension
act Of April. 1902, whose claims We're
not approved and filed prior 10 Septern-
Der. 1872. Referred to Committee on FL
nance and Banks.
THE DISCUSSION BEGINS.
The Senate received a report from the
Special Joint Committee of Private and
Local Legislation on the bill granting q
charter to the Blackstone and Chase
City Railway Company, stating that the
opinion of the committee was that the
object OF this bill might be reached IN
der General Laws. Here q nice ques-
ton. raised on yesterday, was fully dis
cussed- whether the Senate had the
power to reject the report Of the Spe-
cial Joint Committee, which is created
under section - of the Constitution for
the consideration of special and local
bills; orm1lst accept it. or recommit it
Mr.. Wickhan held that the committee
was under the control OF he Senate, and its
report could be received or rejected at the
viii OF the body. He argued that. accord
ing TO the chairman Of this special COM
mittee. Mr Clayton. the committee was
Tot under the control Of the Senate
and there was no appeal from the de-
cision Of the special committee.
CHAIRMAN CLAYTOR'S VIEW.
Mr.. Clayton stated that this was the
working of the special committee. pro
vided by the Constitution itself: A bill
was offered, suspected that its ends
This bill would then be referred 10 the
spe ial con1ni tee, or it could be discharged
altogether from consideration Of it, If
it did so to the special comm 2. this
committee can report two things. that
its ends can be reached under either
general laws or by court proceedings.
The report of the committee must be ac-
cepted the bill can be recomrlitted
1t cannot be rejected. Mr. Wiclham
was deeply perplexed as to how the
Chair could lay the report of the special
committee before the Senate. He was
in the chair Tuesday when the question
was first raised The president would
be compelled to say as follows: The
question is upon the report Of the COM
ulittee. or as usual. to say upon the
adoption OF the report" But he con-
tinued saving how could the Senate con-
slider report which il must receive and
cannot reject What is the use of dis
GUESSING thing which must be received.
if not NON when it comes back. after
recornmitnlent.
Mr.. CIaytor again stated his position