Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-05-01
LEGISLATURE.

The most interesting feature in the
legislature yesterday was resoiution cy
Mr.. Bland, of Portsmouth, asking lot
construction by the Attorney Generai
of the clauses of the constitution making
the payment of poll tax a prerequisite
to voting. Mr.. Bland made state
ment, and the resolution was adopteo.
He holds that confusion exists all over
the State in regard to the understand
ing of this law, and that it is very I'M
pOrtant to the democratic party to nave
it cleared up, else many votes VIII DC
cut out
Mr.. Whitehead, Of Norfolk, intro
duced a bill which gives street car con,
ductors police powers on their cars ana
permits them to designate what seat a
passenger shall take, and allows conduct
ors to move passengers from one seat 10
another in order to promote the comfort
of those on the car The bill is an
amendment to the "Jim Crow car law,
and it is thought will separate the races
on street cars without the aid of separate
compartments and cure many disagree
able incidents that now occur on such
cars.
The corporation bill, with all the
Senate amendments, was adopted by the
House except as to one clause when
Mr.. Boaz amended so as to make all
former charters issued to railroads
comply with the provisions of the con-
stitution, and it was then adopted.
The Barksdale bill, to prohibit the
enticing away of servants, produced 8
lively contest. 1t was strongly advo,
Gated by Mr.. Boaz and Mr.. Duke, and
vigorously opposed by Mr.. Whitehead,
who declared, among other things, thai
its passage would mean the destruction
of the democratic party. In support o.
his argument Mr.. Duke read sections o
letter from a prominent farmer, who
declared it to be absolutely essential tina
something be done to prevent men from
enticing servants and employees away
from farmers and others. Mr.. White
head represented the labor interests, anC
declared. in conclusion, that the bill, 1
it be passed, would be passed over hi
most earnest protest.
Other speakers followed, and finally
Mr.. Boaz offered a substitute, which Mr.
Whitehead at once declared to be worse
than the original bill. The chief diff
ference between the two is that the sub
stitute, instead of making the seryan
guilty of the misdemeanor, placed thu
onus on the agent who enticed him away
The agent was to be subject to a fine o.
not more than $500 and confinement il
Jail for not more than three months
In the substitute the employer, or mas
ter. is authorized to recover from thu
servant twice the amount of actual dam
ages sustained. The substitute wa
adopted, but the House adjourned before
it was sent to its engrossment.
Mr.. Dudley, of Franklin, was con-
graduated by fellow-members of tn
House yesterday, when he was accom-
panied to the hall by his wife. Mr.. anC
Mrs. Dudley held an informal levee foI
nearly a quarter of an hour, and mum
Der of members had the pleasure OF al
introduction to the very attractive bride
Mrs. Dudley was Miss Holland, o
Franklin. Immediately upon adjourn
ment of the House, the members remain
inc in their seats. Mr. Heermans, o
Montgomery, speaking for the members
presented to Mr.. and Mrs. Dudley boz
of siIverware. Mr.. Dudley made brieI
and appropriate response.