Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1903-02-06
LEGISLATIVE DoINGs.

The Senate passed the amendments
to the Mathews dog law, and num-
Der Of local bills were reported from
committees.
A bill, to invalidate clause in com.
mon carriers contracts that limits
liability on lines beyond its terminus,
was introduced.
1t is an established fact that the
liquor dispensary system in Virgins
is dismal failure from a moral
standpoint where tried.
Section $3.50 of the Code is being
put into effect in Richmond where
poker playing is INDUCED in. The
law forbids persons playing at stakes
exceeding $40.
The Senate has selected three first
rate men, Messrs. Lyon G.. Tyler, OF
William and Mary; Mr.. w. A. Bowles
of the Virginia Institute of the Deaf
and Blind, and DR.. @. w. Kent, OF
the University, to be members of The
State Board of Education.
The bill of Mr.. Cumming, redis.
trictipg the State for Congress, was
reported favorably by the House
Committee on Privileges and Elec-
tons. Seven to two was the vote in
committee, Baker, of Westmoreiand,
and West, of Louisa, being against it,
a number of persons were heard
by the committee Tuesday relative
to shortening the oyster season. The
committee has not yet reported. The
Jordan Baylor bill will be heard
later, and ample notice given for
persons to appear before the COM
mittee.
Hon. @. Conway Baker, of West
moreland, does not think much of
his influence on the Committee of
Privileges and Elections of the
House. In nearly every matter that
has been before the body this ses-
sion Mr.. Baker has been in hope
less minority.-Richmond Times.
A unique feature in the session
of the House Monday was the reci-
tation of the Lords Prayer in uni
son. There was no minister present,
but Delegate Z. ID. Jennings, of
Lynchburg, who is Methodist
steward, requested all to join in the
the Lords Prayer, which they did.
One of the most interesting fea-
lures of the general tax bill is that it
puts all social clubs on the same
footing with bsr-rooms, and requires
them to pay the regular tax imposed
upon others who sell liquor in the
State and topursue the same method.
This provision will be bitterly fought
by the clubs.
Ministers seem to eight shy" of
the State Senate. "I guess we need
praying for, all right" said member
of the Senate, "but the ministers are
seemingly afraid that they will be
charged with trying to affect close
relation between church and State.
Maybe they are praying for each
other and can't come. 1t is an old
custom and one that 1 am sorry to
see is growing into disuse. The
preachers ought to come here. True,
we don't pay for chaplain, but a
little missionary work here as well as
III China would not be out of place"
A breezy discussion lifted the
House session Tuesday from the rat
of dull routine. Mr.. Churchman, of
Augusta, advocated an amendment
to the report on State insane hospi-
tails abolishing per diem pay of SIS
to members of the four boards of
visitors, and limiting expenditure by
the State to actual travelling ex-
penses. He caused a ripple of mer-
riment when he declared that enter
tainment of the boards, including
liquors, cigars, ETC., was at the ex
pense of the State already. Almost
unanimously the House struck out
the provision for $5 per diem pay.
The liquor people throughout the
State are very gloomy and much ex-
ercised over the temperance senti-
ment that seems to pervade people
and our Legislature. +. II. Wood
ward, President of the Retail Liquor
Dealers Association of Virginia, re-
turned to Roanoke from Richmond,
where ne had been in the interests
OF the saloon people of the State.
He was accompanied by leading
Roanoke attorney, who, it is under
stood, advised him from a legal
point of view of every step taken
by the whiskey people against the
legislation proposed by Senators
Mann and Clayton. The Liquor
Dealers Association will shortly have
introduced bill providing for high
license, closing at certain hours and
the removal of all screens from the
doors and windows of places in which
liOunr 10 sold