The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-03-18

are taking in his canndacy Tor one soA
the railroad commissioners under the pro-
posed new Constitution n
It has developed that Mr.. Edmunds has
a splendid organization in this city, as
we'll as In other sections, and many lead
ing business men here have endorsed his
claims The Board CT Trade of Lynch
burg has passed resolutions, asking Gov
ernor Montague to name Mr.. Edmunds,
and it is said that he has the Sixth Dis
trict almost solidly behind his candi-
dacy.
Mr.. Edmunds once conducted a tobacco
business in the Hill City and knows per-
sonally nearly all the business m en- there.
The House had under consideration as
Il special order yesterday the bill offered
by the Good Roads Commission appointed
at the last session of the Legislature. 1t
was warmly advocated by NIessrs. sMuI-
1e,l, of Bedford, and Lassiter. of Peters
burg, but was not disposed Of and will
come up as u special order to-day. Mr..
Murrell's speech VISA largely explanatory
OF the provisions Of the measure, while
that Of MIR. Lassiter was very abe
argument, dealing with the details or
the bill. He spoke for more than an hour
and was heard with the closest attention
The bill will be disposed of to-day 1t
looks as If its fate is uncertain, as
great deal of opposition has developed
to It. though it is undoubtedly a good
measure 1t provides for State ROAD
Commission, composed of the Governor.
Commissioner of Agriculture and a State
Engineer, the latter to be appointed by
tile Governor, who shall have general
charge of the State aid for roads for
purposes OF improvement. One per CEN
tGm of State taxes on real and personal
property and licenses is set aside for eN-@
rcnditure for road purposes, and short
no ant RI
to the roads, instead of to the peniten-
tiary. When this bill shall have been
disposed of, the Cation pension bill Will
come up as a, special and continuing or
der. There are several other special or
ders pending on the calendar.
The two reports in the contested election
case of Fulton VS.. Hibbetts from the dis
trict of Buchanan, Dickinson and Wise
have been prepared and signed by most
Of the members.
TO the surprise of the Fulton people, Mr..
Hibbetts, the Republican sitting: member,
gets a majority of the members of the
Elections Committee. Messrs Cation, of
Alexandria, and Leake, of Goochland,
signed neither report.
The other members are divided as fol-
lows: For Hbbetts: Messrs Heermans and
Robson (Reps.) and Cabell, Jordan, o
Frederick West and Kelley Dems)-6
For Fulton: Messrs. Cumming, Baker, of
Westmoreland; Carter and Jones and
probably Mr.. Jordan, of Frederick. The
Hibbetts report was drawn by Mr.. Heer-
mans (Rep.). Of Montgomery. while the
one recommending the seating Of the con-
testant was prepared by Mr.. Cumming, of
Hampton There will be a spicy debate
in the House over the proposition. 1t looks
as if the sitting member will be retained.
The Legislature has but little more
than two weeks of its extended session
left, and almost every hot;r of it promises
tc be crowded with important work. The
committees of both houses started out with
renewed energies yesterday to round UP
and b.lng iii their reports on various mat
tiers. and special orders galore are on the
calendars of the House and Senate.
The appropriation and reapportionment
bills will likely be reported during the
week and the lists for electoral boards
having been practically made up will be
disposed CT \ great deal Of general and
special legislation will be passed upon. and
the way will be cleared for adjournment
by April 4th, if not few days earlier.
From present indications the work of
the session will be practically over by the
end of next week. Both bodies will prob
ably hold afternoon sessions during most
of the remainder of the session.
The House Committee on Privileges and
| Elections yesterday reported bill in re-
lntion to preserving order at the polls. 1t
was presented at the instance of Colonel
f C. Marshall, OF Portsmouth, by Hon.
NJ NJ Green Of Fauquier, and is under
| stood to have for its special object the
n Getting of conditions in Norfolk COUNT,
| although it is a general bill. The COM
| nittee will hold a public meeting on We'd
| uesday night, to hear those who desire
| changes made in the bill apportioning
| the State into Legislative districts. 1t
| is understood that the bill is about ready
| to be reported.
| The Norfolk city contested election
cases will come up before the House Com.
mittee on Privileges and Elections to-
morrow morning at 10 o'clock. Very
! little has been heard recently concerning
| it, and it looks like it will not be vigor-
ously pressed. Messrs. ]. z. Heath. Jr.
| and r. w. Mallett are counsel for Messrs
Lambeth and Bibb contestants, and
! Mess-s. George Pitcher and Thomas j.
| Randolph will appear for Messrs. White
| head ard Woodward, the setting mem
| bers.
The House Committee on Roads met
| Yesterday afternoon and reported two bills
| offered by Mr.. Stafford, OF Giles inccr.
l
| River Northern Railroad Companies
There was considerable opposition to both
| bills.
| Senator John n. Opie, Of Augusta, was
/ in his seat yesterday, having about recov-
cred from his recent illness. Senator Opie
vas warmly greeted by his colleagues and
! friends.
| The Finance Committee of the House
! to-day reported the following bill:
| To amend and re-enact section 2 OF
| chapter 100 of an act entitled an act tc
authorize the superintendent Of the pen
Tertiary to lease or purchase a farm and
| erect thereon suitable buildings for che
| care and employment Of convicts. APP
| proved March, 1900, so as to provide for
| board, for the surgeon and his horse, and
| an increase in the compensation, Of the
| manager and provide board for himself
| and family at said farm.
Among the prominent Ei1ginians on the
| noor of the House yesterday were General
| Eppa Hounton of Fauquer: DR.. Robert