Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1902-03-21
DoINGs IN THE LFGIsLATuRE.

D0INGS IN THE LEGISLATURE.
Governor Montague threw a little
surprise into the senate by sending
in veto of the resolution setting
aside 100000 for Confederate pen.
sions.
One of the most important bills
reported from committee at the
present session will be the one which
will come from the House Committee
on Banks, Currency, and Commerce,
providing for the creation of the
office of Bank Commissioners. The
commissioner is to have the general
oversight of the private and State
banks of Virginia, and also of the
trust companies and the building
and loan associations.
A bill has been introduced in The
Legislature making it misdemeanor
for any person to use or repeat
abusive, insulting or slanderous
language against any female. The
purpose of this bill is good. Long
ago curb should have been put mp
on slanderous men who apparently
delight in speaking disrespectfully
of women aud to circulate damaging
reports about them, whether there be
any foundation for the same or not.
-WeSt Point Plain Dealer.
The new roads bill now pending
before the legislature promises TO
make long start in the right direc-
ton for decent roads. 1t proposes
definite, comprehensive system of
work under the direction of the State
and with help from the general treas
ury and the convicts who may be at
the disposal of the authorities.
The experience of other States as
sures Us that if the system of inteli-
gent aud permanent road work is
once established in one place it will
spread like benefcent epidemic.-
Richmond Netcs.
The present Legislature, says the
Dispatch, will not have been in ses-
sion as long as some of its predeces-
sors of recent years, but none of them
will have surpassed it in the variety
and volume of legislation. Bills
have been put through at a rapid
rate; sometime laws have been en-
acted at the rate of dozens a day. 1t
should be said in justice to this Leg
islature, that while it is not com.
posed of as many men of trans
cendent ability as some Of those
which have preceded it, there has
not been Legislature at the Capitol
In recent years which has done more
careful and painstaking work.
1t looks now as if there would be |
very little of the 100000 surplus
left in the State treasury by the time
the Legislature adjourns. 1t is q
settled fact that the sum of $500, 900 |
will be appropriated for Confederate
pensions. There is about as little
doubt that the bill which has passed |
the Senate appropriating $3.50, 900
for the improvements at the peniten-
tiary will become law.
1t was stated by a member of the
Senate Finance Committee recently
that the total of the increases in APP
asked for by the public
institutions of the State would reach
$4,000. That makes exactly $780,
900 extraordinary expenses for the
year, and the reduction of the sur.
plus by that much. When the esti-
mate of the 100000 remaining in
the treasury was made, the Coustitu-
tlonal Convention had cost 500, 600.
BY the time il shall have adjourned
1t will have cost at least $4,000
more. There win be increases in the
salaries of several officials; at least
there are several who are asking for
them, and it seems to be the DISPOSE.
ton of the General Assembly 10
grant them. And then it must be
borne in mind that the Constitutional
Convention has reduced the rate of
State taxation to 80 cents on the
plOO worth. So taken, all in all.
here will not be much complaint of
demoralizing surplus in the course
" year or two, if present signs are
% be trusted.-Dispatch.
BILLS PASSED.
10 permit X. Ii. Bland and Com
'any, of Middlesex county, TO erect a
LIGHTHOUSE on their oyster-grounds ,
IN the Rappahannock river.
The Senate passed the employers !
liability bill. Il
To protect game in Richmond
ounty.
INTRODUCED.
BY Mr.. Lyell: To allow the firm of !
'resham, Chiffon & McGinnes 10 :
nild a wharf in Corrotoman river.
Il Gordon Point, opposite Merry !
'olnt, in Lancaster county. .
BY Mr.. Mathews: Petition asking
hat the time for taking oysters from
heir beds be shortened.
INSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION. I
m. |