Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-11-20
SENATE AND HOUSE,
LONGEST SESSION SINCE THE BODY
CONVENED LAST WEEK.
PAYMENT ? FOR FRANCHISES.
Senator Anderson, of Richm ond, In
Produces Bill Affecting Munich
PAL councils--,1r. Mc11wnine Pro-
poses Special Tux to Be Applied to
Payment Of Pensions.
PAYMENT FOR FRANCHISES.
Senator Anderson, of Richmond, In
poses Special Tux to Be Applied to
Payment OF Pensions.

! The Senate yesterday held the longes,
| session since the General Assembly con-
! vened here week ago. The body did not
| adjourn for the day until after / o'clock.
though for a few moments the dignified
! senators were in the hall OF the House OF
| Delegates. engaged in confirming the
nominations of Governor Montague for
members OF tho Corporation Commission.
Lieutenant-Governor Willard called the
body to order at noon. prayer being Of
fered by Rev. DR.. George Cooper, Of the
First Baptist church Senator Stands.
OF Southampton, and Senator Whitehead,
| Of Pittsylvania, were present at the ses-
| sion yesterday
There were number of bills introduced,
many Of them being Of the greatest Inn
portance. The bill Of Senator Mc1lwaine.
OF Petersburg, providing for special
levy of cents on the 800 of property,
70 raise a fund for the payment of pen
sions is probably the most important OF
the day.
Senator Anderson, OF Richmond, offered
bill providing the method of selling pub
lie franchises. The law is proposed under
that section of the new Constitution
which provides that no franchise shall
be granted by city councils without COM
pensation on the part of the company
securing benefit of the public utilities.
SPECIAL PENSION TAX.
Senator McIlwaine. of Petersburg pre-
sented the following. which will lay on
the clerks table for one day:
Whereas, by reason of the reduction
in the rate of taxation by the constitu-
tional convention the revenues Of the
State are insufficient to meet the expenses
of the government. properly administered.
to pay Its Indebtedness as it accrues and,
at the same time. to make proper pro.
vision for the payment of pensions to dis
abled soldiers, sailors and marines, and
to their widows. under the general acts
OF assembly now in force; therefore,
BE it resolved by the senate, the house
OF delegates concurring, that the COM
m1ttees on finance of the two houses be-
and they are hereby instructed to pre-
pare and report bill. or bills, providing
for the levying of a special tax for pen
sions on all the property in this State,
real and personal, which is subject to
taxation, not exceeding five cents on the
hundred dollars of the assessed value
thereof"
Senator McIlwaine suggested that the
resolution go to the committee on finance
for consultation.
Senator yVickham said he favored the
resolution, but that he saw no reason for
the reference of the resolution. It was
clear and he would support the PROPOSE
ton.
The bal was allowed to rest on the
clerk desk
The senate concurred in the joint resolu-
ton providing for session of both
branches at 1880 o'clock to take up the
nominations of the governor for mem
bership on the corporation commission.
CODIFICATION OF LAWS.
Senator McIlwaine presented the fol-
lowing, which was laid on the table:
Whereas. a large number of the most
important sections Of the Code of Vir-
Sinia have been amended since the same
went into effect on the first day of May,
1883; and,
Whereas. the adjustment of the exist.
ing statutes to the provisions OF the pres
ent constitution will require many more
changes, both material and consequential,
in the said Code: and.
Whereas, it is desirable that the laws
of this State should not only be brought
into harmony as speedily as possible but
in such form as to enable
the people to know what these laws are:
and, whereas, it is almost impossible for
those not Learned in the law to ascer-
tain what the law is, although they are
presumed to know the same: |
and. whereas. the great mass Of the peo-
pie look upon the provisions Of the Code |
as the embodiment OF the law affecting |,
their rights and remedies; and. whereas. |
it Is evident that the Code. as revised. |!
will be so much Of a patchwork as to |
prove q delusion and a snare to those |
who would rely upon it in matters m
volvfns their vital interests;
Therefore, be 1t resolved by the Senate.
the House of Delegates concurring, that,
n addition to the duties assigned to the
several committees OF the Senate and of
he House Of Delegates by the joint reso-
luton agreed to on the 18th day of No
hereby instructed to consider all the
sections of the Code of Virginia with
amendments thereof with view to
notification of the same. said committees
,eing required to take charge of the sew
,ral subjects which would be referred to
hem respectively under the rules Of the
BODY to which they belong. and from
ime to time make report by bills cover
ng the several subjects before them.
PRESENTED AND REFERRED.
The following bills were presented and
eferred to committees for report:
BY Senator Lyle: To amend the Code
2455) in relation to reduction Of rent,
where buildings are destroyed or lessee
deprived of possession.
BY Senator Sha ckelford: To create q
ureau of banking. to provide mode of
lection and fix term Of Office.
BY Senator Opie: To provide for the
lection of commissioners of the revenue
" the qualified voters OF the State.
BY Senator Lyle: To provide when
NEW COFFEE.
For the U. S. Army.