The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-02-20
CHILD LABOR
DISCUSSED.
There Was a Debate. but a
Vote Was Not Taken,
TO PASS THE CABELL ACT
TO PASS THE CABELL ACT.
Seems Certain That This Measure
viii Go Through With Probably
Some Amendments-A Brief
Session Of the House.

The whole time OF the Senate was ta-
ken UP yesterday in the discussion Of
the chlld-labor bills. Two speeches were
made, the one in favor OF tho cabell
bill and the other In advocacy Of the
Lyle measure Mr.. Halsey spoke for the
cabell measure and Mr.. Lyle for, his
own bill.
It is probable vote will be reached
to-day. 1t looks very much as II the
cabell bill. with some amendments,
would be passed to-day.
The Senate met with prayer by the
Rev. ]. ]. Ssrayatt.
In the early stages OF the proceedings
the Hobbs bill to provide for the rear
Ing and the training Of bloodhounds at
the State Farm for the use OF the sher-
Ills in running down criminals, came up
vocAting the passage Of the measure
His talk was witty and humorous. ''.rhls
IL q day OF bloodhounds," said he. and
the Senators shook their sides with
laughter while the jolly. good Senator
from Prince George proceeded in prac-
teal, business-lke way to advocate the
passage Of the bill. It was unanimously
passed to its engrossment. This was
btr. Hobbs maiden speech. and 1t was
O good one.
ANDERSON BILL PASSED.
The Anderson bill to provide for the
extension OF corporate limits came up
as the special order. There was no de-
bate upon It, A letter from Mr.. Cogbill
The leader Of the opposition, was read
.rcgretting his inability to be present and
asking that the measure be passed by
MIR. Anderson said there was no Senator
for whom he had a higher regard than
Mr.. Cogbill. He would go to any rea-
sonable lengths to oblige him. but this
vas a very important measure, and the
test vote had been had. Therefore, he
could see no good reason for delay In the
passage of the act
5fr. Bryant, who had opposed the bill,
pHld he. realized that the Cogblll act was
beaten and he would not ask for post
iponement OF tine further consideration of
the Anderson bill.
The Anderson bill was then passed by
vote of 16 to II.
CHILD LABOR BILLS.
The special order for 1918 o'clock was
the Lyle bill making 1t a mlsdeanmor@ to
employ children under the age Of twelve
years in manufacturing, mechanical and
mining operations. Mr.. Halsey opened
the debate, advocating the passage OF his
substitute. which Is the same as the
Cabell bill passed by the House. The
Lynchburg Senator made an eloquent
and strong speech In his support of
the substitute. He paid beautiful trl-i
butte to what is sometimes termed. the
common people," These people. he said,
were among the most patriotic in the
country and they proved It by their de-
.votion and service to the Confederate
Cause. Mr.. Halsey would rather see
this excellent class remain at their coun-t
try homes, than that they should become
victims OF financial greed and put their
children to work in factories In the cities.
The speaker read several extracts from
publications arguing against child labor.
Mr.. Halsey said the press Of the State
had spoken with rare untnimity in sup
had the support Of the leading newspaper
in the State, The Richmond Times-Dis-
pa ten.
! Mr.. Halsey. after paying pretty tri-
butte to Hon. Carter Glass, read an edi-
toriel from the Lynchburg News. which
he believed was written by Mr.. Glass
himself, advocating the passage Of the
Cabell bill.
+ MIR, Halsey said that while 1t was not
possible for Virginia to lead her Southern
sisters in this matter. he did not wish to
see9 her bring up the rear. Many South
EN- States have already passed legisla-
ton on this subject and the time was not
at hand for Virginia to act. The speak,
or thought that the cabell bill would set
tie the question for all time. while the
Lyle bill would serve only to continue
the fight and to carry It on until 1t Is
settled Alright. The Cabell act, Mr.. Hal
soy thought, was best for manufacturers
and for the children.
In his conclusion, Mr.. Halsey grew very
eloquent in his plea for legislation that
would serve to benefit the children.
MR.. LYLE OPPOSES.
Mr.. Lyle, in that plain, practical way.
which he has Of presenting arguments.
commended that his bill ought to be pass
ed. He was convinced that there was
going to be legislation on this subject:
In fact, he wanted an act to be passed.
But" said the Senator, "let us approach
the matter in practical way. Don't
let us decide it by quoting poetry, and
let sentiment control u.s."
4 Mr.. Lyle said that those who came be-
fore the committee could not recite one
single Instance In Virginia where there
was q Crying evil" as the result Of the
employment Of child labor. Every sin
gle case mentioned was In some other
State. The Roanoke Senator stated that
he had made some investigation on his
own part and he had not found such con-
dltlons existing In factories as are pic
tured by the wild advocates of the Cabell
hill. Mr., Lyle, however, thought there ,
ought to be legislation on this subject
md he believed his bill would accom-
plish all that is desired.
MI. Lyle brought out the fact that
Ills bill applied to mines, while the Cab
Ell act did not 80 apply. Mr.. Halsey was
perfectly willing to have the Cabell meas
ire apply to mines,
In his closing, Mr.. Lyle made very |
strong appeal to the Senators to pass
his bill.
The Senate adjourned at q o'clock be-
fore a vote was reached upon tho bills,
ONE BILL OFFERED.
"A bill was offered by Mr. EIalsey to
amend the code Of Virginia In relation to
the receipt and transmission Of telegra- ,
phic and telephone dispatches. This act
Is designed to perfect the present law
and to correct some defects in the code.
It was prepared by ar, John Garland
Pollard