The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-07-22
GREAT FIGHTS TO
COME Off TO-DAY
Commission and Judges the
Issues.
ONE TO-DAY, OTHER TONIGHT
Any Form Of Commission Seems
Doomed in House-Absent Mem
bers May Take oath-senator
Massie on Campbell Case.

The great fights of the short session
of the Legislature will take place to-day
in the main bodies. and tonight in the
ioint caucus, and then the members are
expected to leave in large numbers TOR
tne1r homes whatever may be the con-
crusion as to adjournment. Tor great
many of them have already said they
will not remain here after the circuit
Judges are nominated.
The contests to-day in the two Houses
will be with reference to the question Oh
appointing a legislative commission TO
codtfy existing laws in conformity with
the new Constitution, and to suggest
others that appear needfui
In the Senate there is but one propo-
sition on the subject, and that was OF
fered by Mr. Wickham. and is similar
70 the one presented in the House by MI
1Iunley, which provides for the naming
of blank number of members OIL each
body in the same manner as standing
committees are appointed to take up 1he
work in vacation, ETC., etc.
In the House there are three otners
beside that Of Mr.. HunleY. One by Mr.
Davis provides for q committee OF TOUR
teen from the House and seven from the
Senate to be named by the presiding
officers Of the respective Houses, while
another by Mr.. Allen calls upon the
Rules Committee to take the matter up
and report as to the necessity for a codl-
fying commission. Mr.. Boaz offered sui
another. which provides for the appoint
ment of a commission to be composed OF
five members, all of whom shall be taken
from outside the Legislature 1t is not
believed that any of the above-named
measures will pass the House. and 1t Is
a doubtful proposition as 10 what the
Senate will do.
1t is likely that Hon. George Y Hun
ley or some other House leader Will con-
struct a resolution in the nature of a
compromise, which will divide the work
up among the present standing commit
tees and authorize some of them to sit
IN vacation.
This matter and that relating to ad-
3o,lrnment for recess until fall are the
only ones of great interest that are eX-
pected to come up to-day. The caucus
tonight will be the other great feature
of the legislative day.
THE Legislature is bound to take no
tice of the Campbell-CrawfoTd case, y
said one Of the most prominent and
we'll informed members of the House yes
4erday. The paper from the Amherst
bar printed yesterday makes this course
almost imperative. The men whose
names are SlSteu lllcl CIV stiV w SbSA
character and standing in their COM
munity as to call for investigation into
the charges by the General Assembly,
and am sure this will be DONE
While members as q rule are very re-
ticent in discussing the matter, there are
q great many others who coincide with
the view printed above
Exactly the opposite position is taken.
however, by Hon. r. B. Ware. the House
member from Amherst, and Senator
Bland MaSsie. who represents the county
in the upper branch. The views of the
former, which We're to the effect that
there would likely be no investigation,
have already been printed.
Senator Massie, when seen yesterday.
practically concurred in the position OF
his colleague
81 regard it as a simple case Of assault"
he said, land it therefore belongs to the
courts and not to the Legislature. Strong
lawyers from many sections of the State
have expressed to me the opinion that
there was no ground for impeachment
proceedings. This is my own opinion
and while I have not heard the subject
discussed great deal by the members,
do not think it will ever be before the
Legislature.
THE case is now In its proper sphere.
according to my view. and ought to. and
I believe will end there.
But do not care to discuss it In de-
tail now know some things concern
ting it which I do not care to say
..It is fact that a great deal of what
has been printed in the papers by way Of
resolutions, etc. have come from the
personal or political enemies Of Judge
Campbell"
The oath question has been raised
again, but the raising this time will
amount to nothing. 1t is pointed out
that If members failed to subscribe by
july 10Th which was the limit given
other officers under the schedule, they
may be debarred from further participa-
ton in the proceedings of the General
Assembly This view is not sustained
by prominent members. 1t is held that
the only restriction placed upon members
of the General Assembly is that they
shall subscribe to the oath before enter
sng upon their duties, without regard
to time.
Senator c. Harding Walker. of North
cumberland and Delegates N1cPeak, of
Carroll. and Mclean, of Mecklenburg, are
the only members yet to swear. The
latter has refused and gone home. and
will perhaps make no effort to take part
in the proceedings.
Senator Walker is sick at his home,
and Mr. McPeak is engaged in an i'm
.5ortant law case In West Virginia. They
have both taken the precaution to take
the oath before a notary public and send
st here. but may take it again when
they come and be strictly within the
limits Of the Constitution, according to
the more popular view Of the case.
The seat Of DR. e. P. Mclean CRepub-
lican). member of the House from Neck
1enburg. who recently declined to take
the oath. may be declared vacant by that
body, without regard to his refusal to
take the oath to support the new Con-