Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-11-12
MEMBERS
There VIII he Few Ab.en,ee- Who


Tho General Assembly Of Virginia Will
ronveus in adjourned extra session at
the Capitol at noon to-day. The indica-
lions last night were that the majority
ot the members of both houses would be
in their seats to-day when the gaFe'
OF the presiding officer falls and tho
Eession IS opened.
The hotel Hobbies were flied with 'he
arriving legislators last night, and they
seemed as happy as so many schoolboys
st meeting their associates from an
narts of the State after q separation OF
Four or five months Handshaklng ana
warm greetings were TO be seen on ever!
side, and here and there in the loop!eS
little knots of members sometimes
augmented by their friends, by ex-mem-
hers, and gentlemen connected win lne
late Constitutional Convention. couid De
seen chatting merrily. or one member
gith his arm caressinEly thrown about
nnother's shoulder was joking and laugh
Ing or specializing as to the work
of the session The coming of new
arrival would focus all eyes in his direc-
ton and there were more hands extended
than several mon could grasp at one
tin1c.
THE GENIAL SPEAKER.
Among the arrivals yesterday was
Sneaker John F. Ryan, of Loudoun. the
popular presiding officer Of the House
Mr. Ryan was sa1uted by many of the
members and his friends in this city He
Is stopping at Murphy's and will make
his home there during the session. The
Speaker stated that he had just come
IN and knew little OF the plans of the
sessjon nor how the work before IT
would be divided or assigned. lie is not
Inclined TO the pessimistic view that
the session will be prolonged, but is
hopeful that the two bodies can complete
their work and adjourn in five or sis
months. or less. Few men in either body
enjoy the thorough esteem of their fell
iow-members to a greater extent than
does the member from Loudoun- who has
FOR years welded the gavel in the House
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Joseph E. Willard
The president of the Senate has nof
vet arrived in the city, but his presence
in the chair when the noon hour arrives
may be counted on. Mr.. Willard is I'M
suoiled by his advancement in public life
md is one OF the most approaChable
NOR in either body. lie Will receive a
rordiaI greeting when he puts III his ap-
nearance.
THE CHARLOTTE I1UNTSMAN.
SerCcant-at-Arms Frank b. Watkins.
of Charlotte. was among the arrivals
vest erday and was busily engaged chat
ting with ex-senator Glass about Jersey
COWS in Charlotte when a reporter APP
preached them. Everybody knows Mr..
Watkins. who has for long time di-
rectod the Senate to be in order when
ever that body became aroused as
10 make the admonition at all neces-
sary. which is very rare, for the Senate
has y reputation for conservatism almost
equal to that of the upper house of Con
g,-ess. Captain Watkins may have
few new stories Of wild turkey shooting
but none have Yet been heard
The giant form of Senate-Doorkeeper
Sam Donald. Of Augusta. and the MAIN
ed figure Of MIR. p. E. Lipscorb, one OF
she two doorkeepers of the House. were
also observed in the fhrong of arriving
members and officials. Mr.. 7. a. Lynch.
Assistant Clerk Of the Senate: Judge w.
s Gooch. ane of the Senate corps; Clerk
Iohn W. Williams, of the House Of Dele !
gates, and others are here for the be- |
ginning Of the work to-day.
SOME WHO ARE HERE.
Among the members who had arrived |
last night were Senators Donohoe. of |
Fairfax: E. j Harvey, Of Patrick; Ed |
ward Lyle. Of Roanoke: w. p. Banks
dale of Halifax: Bland Massie. of Mel |
son: Graham Clayton, of Bedford: r. P.
Bruce. of Wise; John n. Opie, of |
Augusta. Delegates Ryan, of Loudoun:
Gravely, OF Henry: Churchman and |
Walker of Augusta: T. D. Jennings. of |
Lynchburg; n A. Edmundson. of Hall |
fax; J. D. Elan, of Brunswick: c. A
of Montgomery: Taylor and |
Reynolds, Of Pittsylvania; Moses Green.
pf Fauauier; A. B. Mays. Of Patrick; ]. |
N. Sebrell. of Southampton: George w |
Settle OF Rappahannock: J. r. Cation. o. |
Alexandria: w. w. Baker, of Chester !
field: ]. NJ. Lyell. of Richmond county: |
w. n Lawson, of Middlesex. and others.
BY noon to-day practically all the |
members will be present. The session is |
expected to be brief and formal in both
houses. a few bills being introduced in
both houses 1t is not probable that |
any action viii be taken to-day |
looking 10 the matter of procedure |
10 be determined on by the two |
bodies in dispatching the work be- |
lore them. Tomorrow. however. it is |
expected that the fight over the most sat !
fsfactorr and expeditions method of doing |
the work of revision of the statutes and |
conforming them TO the new ConStitu- |
ton will be taken up and fought out
1t will be remembered that the two houses |
could not agree at the short summer ses-
sion. the Senate voting to appoint a COM |
mission to sit during the vacation while |
the House steadily opposed such action. !
contending that the two houses them |
body OF the State and should do the work |
directly without reference to a commits |
sion, either legislative or other.
SOMEWHAT AT SEA
There seems to be no we'll defined or or |!
ganized plan of procedure. but several |
Of the more influential members of both |
houses are said to favor the division of |
the work Of statute revision among the
various committees of the two houses
which VIII sit Jointly. This seems to be
the most feasible plan of procedure Mu-l,
of the work to be done is of a nature to
require legal talent and experience, esna-
rially IN the drafting of the more iupor-
tant statutes. BY dividing the work
among The committees sitting Jointly. the
Legislature will have the ADVANTAGE of
the experience of the members on those
committees.
The lawyers Of the two bodies are ex-
pected TO have much to do in the VOL,
OF Shaping statutes. Judge Mann. Sena,or
workman Senator McIlwaine. Senstor
ople. Senator Bruce Delegates Cardn,a1I