The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-03-22
DOG Law Bill B Ill.
PASSES SENATE | !. !
No More Bills Can Be introduced u.
After To-Day.
ENsloN ME "A ! u HOUSE J.
VIII Be Voted On Norfolk and
Berkeley Bridge Bill Passes the
Senate The Days
Proceedings.
.ENsIoN MEASURE. in. HOUSE.

The Legislature yesterday adopted a
joint resolution cutting off the introduce
ton of new bills after to-day.
. The Senate by a vote Of 20 to passed
this Mathews dog law bill, which now
only awaits the signature OF the Cow
error in order to become effective. The
Norfolk and Berkeley Bridge bill was also
passed.
Judge Mann, from the Committee on
Privileges and Elections, reported bill
rcapportioning the State into congress-
iolal districts, and it was ordered printed.
The House held two sessions, both OF
which were devoted largely to a further
consideration OF the Cation pension bill.
No vote was reached on the bill.
The House took up the good roads bill
offered by Messrs. Lassiter and Murrell,
out of its order, and placed it at the
lead OF the calendar as unfinished busi-
ness. 1t will come up for disposition to
day.
Senate Session
The Senate, after an argument for and
against of nearly three hours, passed, by
a vote of 20 to 5, the House bill intro
duccd by Mr.. Mathews, imposing a tax
OH dogs for the protection of sheep ana
other stock.
Mr.. Lyle, Mr.. Bruce and Mr.. Stands
earnestly opposed the measure. Finding
they were in the minority, they endeav-
ored to secure INC addition of amend-
naents exempting their counties from
the operation of the law. but in this they
were also defeated.
AIR. Clayton, Mr. Lyle and Mr.. Watkins
clampioned the bill, and received assist
ance from several quarters.
The bill, passed without amendment
has passed the House, and now awaits
the signature of the Governor It pro-
7sct;, Of oil Ir,cyc NAL a ND
female. a license tax of fifty cents is
TO be paid on male dogs and on, dul'a::
on female dogs The constable en-
powered and directed to kill all DOGS 81;
which no tax is paid, for which service
the constable is to receive fifty cents GER
dog from the dog tax fund.
The fund created by the license taxes
on dogs .'sllall be, and the same is heraby,
appropriated for ,muncrating the inhab-
itants of said counties for any loss they
may sustain from dogs killing Or Grip
ping their sheep, lambs or any other
stock, and for paying for the expenses
necessary to carry this act into effect;
and any. balance remaining on hand for
any year shall be appropriated to the
county school fund Of public schools
or to the public road fund.- as the Board
of Supervisors may. determine, to be used
in accordance with the laws governing the
disposition of such funds.
Amount of damages to stock is to be
determined by appraisers. to be named
upon application by a justice OF the
peace These appraisers are to report to
the county Board of Supervisors, and
upon their order payment for damages
shall he made. The provisions OF the act
do not apply to any city or town having
a municipal dog tax law
ARGUMENT FOE AND AGAINST.
The bill was reached OH the Senate
calendar shortly before l. o'clock. Mr..
Bruce spoke in opposition TO the measure.
He argued that each county and cOmmu-
nifty should be given the privilege Of DC
Gliding these matters for itself.
Mr.. Lyle moved an amendment drop
Ping out the provision for the killing Of
the dog Unless this should be done Mr..
Lyle wanted his counties exempted from
the operation Of the law.
Mr. Clayton, in advocating the BILL
told of the operation Of the law in Ac-
cnmac, Augusta, and Rappahannock.
Large taxes from negroes who pay no
ether taxes have in this way been Sc
cured for the Commonwealth i'll Acco-
mac. Under the operation of the law the
number of sheep in Augusta has more
than doubled. In reply to a question OF
Mr.. Wickham, Mr.. Clayton stated that
the tax was a license tax and would be
applicable in counties which make dogs
personal property and taxa BILE under this
head. Mr.. Clayton appealed to the Sena-
tors from Accomac Augusta, and Rock
inglam, where there have been laws Of
this character for a number Of Years. as
IT, the success of the law. and thew all
stated that it was satisfactory and no.
body had been killed.
The bill includes all the counties and
cities for which there are no special
a of This
Mr.. Clayton during the course of his
argument made use of the following
striking figures:
OF which $1,000 came from dog taxes. In
this county negroes paid last Year 1925
real estate taxes and $1,000 dog taxes:
In Augusta, there were G.959 sheep valued
at sl9241 in 1873. and 14637 sheep valued
at 500. 16O i'll 1901 after twenty-five yea rs OF
Il dog law of this character. In 1875 there
were 40l5 dogs in Augusta as compared
with 2,6Ss dogs in 1901. Augusta gets
about $1,000 a year net proceeds from dog
Mr. Watkins spoke in advocacy of the
proposed law.
s, AMENDMENTS VOTED DOWN.
A1r Wickham offered an amendment ex-
ceptng any. co1nty. two-thirds of whose
Supervisors desired exemption.
Mr.. Lyle offered IN amendment exempt
ing Roanoke, Craig, and montgomery: Mr..
Bruce one cxempting Lee, Scott and Wise;
and Mr.. Stands one eXemptiuS South
ampton
Mr. Tyler earnestly advocated a law OF
this character for the whole State, with
out the exemption of any county.
The amendment Of Mr.. Wickham. leaV-
ING the operation OF the law to a two
thirds vote of the supervisors in each
county, was lost by Il vote of II to II.
The amendment reducing the fine from
S. to 81 was lost by a vote Of 5 to II.
The Senate also failed to adopt the
amendment proposed by Mr.. Barksdale,
that '.al dogs known as 5pugs, poodles,
skyterriers and other dogs OF the same
Kind and ilk, and all dogs commonly ied
by their owners with q string or chain,
stall be assessed with a license tax OF
Eve dollars EACH"
NO EXEMPTIONS.
The Senate declined to exempt South
ampton. Lee, Scott. Wise Roanoke. Craig
and Montgomery from the operation OF
The law.
ncnt of Mr.. Byars that the unlicensed
dog should not be killed.
the hill was then passed by vote OF
20 TO S as follows:
= ! :, Anderson. Bryant, Byars.