The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-02-05
TONNAGE TAX
Bill GOES BY
Gen. Ayers and Others Heard
/ In Opposition.
TONEY BILL is REPORTED
Measure to Sell Municipal Franchises
Meets Approval-Oyster Matters
Disposed Of-Other Legislation
Of Much Importance.

The House Committee on finance nelo
two long sesdons yesterday and con-
s,dored the bill offered by Mr. White
head. OF Norfolk, to impose tar Of
three cents per ton on all ores mined
In this State, and after many speeches
In opposition the further confederation
was postponed until Monday, February
10th, at 10 o'clock A. NJ
Among those who spoke against the
bill were General Rufus A. Ayers O.
Wise; Major RI L. Parrish OF Cov'ng-
ton; Mr.. J. Nornent Powell. OF Wythe'
and J. 3. Bullet, Of Wise.
They all earnestly contended that the
bill would be hazardous to tho mining
interests Of the Southwest and pleaded
FOR on adverse report The bill vas
postponed on account OF death in the
family OF Judge A. A. Phlegar. VINO DO,
sires to be heard on the subject.
From what can be gathered, tho Dill
will lkely fail In its present form.
though some measure may DO adopted,
placing O specific license tax upon the
mining companies. Senator Barksdale
offered q bill in the Senate which Is
very similar to that OF Mr.. whitehead
v fH 1T g y . l.
The fight for the jamestown approprla,
ton bill will be renewed and concluded
before tho House Finance Committee at
10 o'clock this morning. when General
Fitzhugh Lee. president OF tho company
and Hon J. Taylor Ellyson will speak
for the measure.
A great deal Of missionary work has
been done by members in favor OF tho
bill during the last few days, and those
in charge OF the measure are very hope
full OF Its passage.
In discussing the question as to wheth-
er or not the Stats could afford to make
the appropriation. Mr.. Gwynn T. Shep-
perd. secretary Of the company. said last
night:
"Under the new Constitution OF vr-
ginla, all railroad and canal companies
are required to pay to tho State treas
ury per cent OF their gross earnings.
The travel to and from the exposition in
1877 Will so increase tho gross earnings
OF the various railroa4 companies In the
State and those which will be- construct
ed to accommodate the travel made
necessary by the exposition. that instead
of receiving $4,000 from this source. as
is estimated by Auditor Marye, the State
will receive at a very conservative estl-
mate. at least sCO0.0O0. SO that were the
State to appr opriate 900 as is asked
for in the bill now pending before the
Legislature. the State will be paid back
In full and have q clear profit OF $780,
900 as Its portion OF the receipts from
holding the exposition.
The House Committee on chesapeake
and Its Tributaries yesterday dis
posed OF two measures that have been
UP for several days. and carried the
local bill as to lands In Westmoreland
county over until this morning.
The body reported fayorably the bill
OF Hon. z. c. Jordon, of Frederick, to
require oystermen In the James River,
from Day Point UP, to pay 81 license tax
instead OF e as at present, for the privi-
lege Of taking seed oysters from the said
waters. The bill was earnestly fought
by the oystermen. The bill Of Mr.. Ed
wards to shorten the season by striking
off September was adversely reported af-
ter speech Of nearly three hours in
opposition by Colonel ". w. Sale, OF
Norfolk The bill was advocated by the
State Board of Fisheries and opposed by
the planters.
The bill to break the Baylor survey will
come up on February 18th.
There will be two new members Of the
House Of Delegates during the present
session, and possibly three.
In few days Speaker Ryan will issue a
writ Of election for a successor to Hon.
". B. Clarke, late member from Prince
George and Surry, and on the Sd March
Hon. r. G. Southall will retire to take
his seat In Congress, thus entalling spe-
cial election for the district composed of
the counties OF Amelia and Nottoway.
The retirement Of Mr.. southall will leave
the craftsmanship Of the Committee for
Courts Of Justice vacant, and inasmuch as
Mr.. Duke, the ranking member, is already
chairman Of an important committee, it
Is not unlikely that the honor may go to
Hon. N. B. Early, Jr., of Greene, who is
next In line. The House will to-day act
upon the Mclean case, and II the member
is unseated there Will be q new member
from Mecklenburg county.
In connection with the bills offered by
Mr. Edwards to transfer certain oyster
bottoms In Westmoreland county to pri-
vstc parties, 1t has been stated that In
opposing them Hon. c. Conway Baker did
not represent the voice of .-.s people. Mr..
Baker Is In receipt Of q series OF resolu-
lions adopted by mass meeting Of cIti-
zens held In his county on January Both,
to have been attended by nearly 900 citi-
Gems, and an extract from tho resolutions
is as follows:
THAT we heartily endorse the course of
our faithful representative, Hon. q. Con-
way Baker. In the efforts he has so far
made to defeat the proposed legislation
In the House OF Delegates. ana most ear
nestly request him ana also our distin-
gE.shed State Senator, Hon, G. Harding
Walker, to use all eg1timate means with
In their power to defeat said bill and all
others introduced for q similar purpose.''
Governor Montague yesterday affixed
his signature to tho bill paying the heirs
of the late ]. ]. Moran, OF Alexandria
county, the sum OF 100000 for services
rendered In prosecuting certain claims
before tho United States Government on
behalf OF the State. The passage OF the
bill is duo to the untiring efforts Of Sem
ator b. r. Donohoe and Colonel Robert
=. Lee, Jr., of Fairfax,
The House Committee on Counties
Cities and Towns yesterday in exe-