The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-12-20
WITNESSES MAY
NOT KISS BIBLE
Mi. Mcllwaine Wants The Pr;a '
tice Stopped.
BILL is OFFERED {! 4 Ed. ]. IN SENATE Ma
BILL is OFFERED. IN SENATE
Is Designed for Cleanliness and to
Prevent the Spread Of Disease.
Short Sessions and Little BUSH
ness-Local Bills Offered.


tive circles yesterday was the introduc-
ton in the Senate by MIR. Mcllwaine OF
bill to dispense with kissing the Bib.e
IN taking oalhs by puDlic oo4Iiclals, and m
swearing witnesses In courts Of Justice
The bill is designed for cleanliness and to
prevent the spread of disease. The ancti-
ty of eve.y oath prescribed by law is
declared to be as great, and the penalty
Tor false swearing the same as under the
existing laws.
Bills were offered in the Senate and
House. respectively. by Messrs. Halsey
and Jennings, to reduce the bond OF the
Commissioner of Revenue Of the city Of
Lynchburg, from $4,000 to 5000. and they
were approp. lately referred.
The Barksda,.e pure elections measure
reported tayorab.y from the Committee
on Elections, went over and was maue
a special order for 1890 O'Clock on Janu-
ary l4th
DIV in the Senate.
Senator William B. McIlwaine, one Of
the .'heavweights," OF that august body.
yesterday introduced a biirto prohibit the
kissing of the Bible in taking oaths,
which is likely to attract considerable at
tention over the entire State. Several bills
we're passed yesterday. one being that
which prints doctors to compound an
dispense drugs in remote sections. and
another to appropriate $500 for putting
a fence around the Lee Monument
The Rev. Robert P. Kerr, D. D., offer
ed prayer at the opening of the session.
Northumberland Willard was In the
chair Just twenty-cne Senators were
present.
IN response to the roll call Of COM
mittees that on courts OF Justice report
ed the following bills with the recon-
mendatIon that they pass:
To amend and re-enact section 2717 of
the Code Of Virginia, In relation to the
summary remedy for unlawful entry and
detainer.
Authorizing any person employed I'M
der aud by virtue OF an act .of Congress
Of the United States relating to the
surveys Of the geological survey OF tho
United States. to enter upon the lands
within the boundaries OF this State While
in the discharge Of his or their official
duties.
To validate certain record: OF the
county court OF the county Of Powhatan.
To amend and re-enact section 1892 OF
the Codo Of Virginia, relating TO the
granting OF new trials.
TO PREVENT KISSING.
Senator Alcllaine offered bill to pro-
hibit the kissing of the Bible upon the
administration OF oaths In the courts of
this Commonwealth. and certain officers.
1t seeks to prohibit the practice Of kiss
ing the Bible in swearing witnesses In
court and when State officials are sworn
to do their duty.
Senator McTleine stated privately that
he was induced to offer this bill because
OF the uncleanliness in the miscellaneous
kissing OF the book. and the danger OF
the spreading of disease. The bill was
It.o Nav rS re n
Justice
The pure election bill Of Senator
Barksdale came up on It's third reading.
The amendments were also read. Sana-
tor Barksdale stated that in view of the
small attendance of Senators he would
nrefe- that the bill g n'ers ~
Christmas. That amendment relating to
4 candidate being allowed to employ can-
vassers he intended to fight to the last
ditch. His motion that the bill be made
the special and continuing order for jan
uary l4+h at 1890 O'Clock. IVES carried ="
agree that this is one OF the most inn
portant bills introduced at this session
a lively fight is likely to occur in both
houses before 1t becomes a law.
OFFFRED AND REFERRED.
The following bills were also offered
and referred.
Byt Mr. Harvey: To provide for the
from the State to the Federal courts
under section 643 Of the Revised Sta
tutes Of the United States. and for the
payment Of the costs thereof
By. Mr.. Halsey by requesD: To amend
anu re-enact section Z Of chapter " OF
the revised charter Of Lynchburg
Upon motion of Senator Walker. the
Senate adjourned at 1880 o'clock.
House CT D legates.
The House was called to order at noon
by Speaker Ryan. and prayer was offer
I'd by Rev. ]. c.. Holland. of the Second
Baptist Church. of Danville.
The reading OF the journal was dis
pensed with and the clerk reported
number Of bills passed upon by various
committees.
Mr.. Green asked a general leave OF
absence for all those members who Were
horror struck at the idea Of accepting
their five days pay during recess. Upon
inspection 1t was found that there were
none Of this class. 80 the House proceeded
to consider its calendar
Mr.. Jennings. Of Lynchburg, offered p
bill to reduce the bond CT the commission
err OF revenue of that city from $4,000 to !
5000 and it was referred.
The Mathews dog .aw was up for the !
purpose Of amendment. and Mr.. Cardwell !
moved to pass by on account Of the alb
sence Of the patron. This was done. and |
a brief recess was taken. In order to al
low the Speaker to sign number Of |
bills Among them was that providing
FOR defending certain suits against the
members Of the convention involving tn
validity Of the new Constitution. Most
Of the bills on the calendar were passed
by until after the holidays. The House
at o'clock. on motion Of Mr.: Jennings.
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