Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-04-30
LEGISLATURE.

LEGISLAIUhE'
The Senate judiciary committee sph.
even yesterday on the Campbell case ana
made a dual report, each signed oy SIN
members. Judge w. II. Mann, the
thirteenth member, did not participate
in the deliberations because OF his con-
nection with the case as witness.
Messrs. Cogbill, Bruce, Byars, Sears,
Hartman and Walker signed a report de-
claring first that the proceedings have
been in compliance with the constitution
second, that the evidence taken by th'
House committee is complete and th'
evidence in the stenographic report is al
that should be considered by the Senate
third, the signers refrain from expressing
their conclusion on the evidence.
The other report is signed by Mr.
McIlwaine, chairman, and Messrs. Har'
vey, Opie, Watkins, Bryan and White
head. with a reservation by the latter
This report reviews at length the pro
cedure of the General Assembly in thu
case, quotes section 104 of the constitu
ton and reached after arguments OF thu
case these conclusions
First, that an opportunity of defense
has not been afforded Judge Campbell il
these proceedings after the notice hac
been served on him; second, Judge
Campbell had no opportunity to b.
heard on the third charge after The
taking of evidence had been concluded
third, .uo0 ny use
HOUSE -elf e
sustain lra. a.- r'r-
rent .oa... ar.h foi
reno, NOT ta ose' hava not
been I'D upon fte 'nai 1i -I'
House. Finally thesigners refrain IRON
conclusions on the evidence, not deem
ing it legal evidence under the constitu'
ton. Mr.. Whitehead agrees with the
above exception as to the legality Of the
evidence.
Appended to the McIlwaine report il
a concurrent resolution, the adoption o
which is recommended, providing for I
Joint committee to report to the Genera
Assembly on the LEGAL evidence offered
The committee is authorized to sit il
recess, and is given all necessary powers
The reports were ordered printed anC
we're set aside for consideration by the
Senate as a special order for next We'd
nesday.
The expected big fight over the bill
relating to taxes on mineral lands wa
ayerted in the House by the adoption o
of a substitute for the Cation bill Offered
by Mr.. Carter, of Scott, and prepares
mainly by Gen. Rufus A. Ayers, which
it is estimated, will yield the State $50,
600 or 800, 600 year, while the ton
mage tax would only have been abou
sl2, 900. The bill provides for a specia
assessment of mineral lands every tw'
years by the commissioners of revenue
who are required to certify the assessmen
to the corporation commission. If tn
commission deems the assessment made
quate or excessive, il is empowered t
direct the Commonwealth attorne
of the county in which the land /
located to proceed in the Circuit Cour
to have the assessment rectified. III
substitute differed from the Cation bill il
the essential particular that final dis
cretionary power be vested in the circul
Judges instead of the corporation com
mission.
The Senate spent nearly its entire SEES
sion considering the bill relating to tn
government of counties and cities. Thl
merely adopts the law to the new constl
tuition. The bill appropriating Sl25,
600 to the Virginia Polytechnic Institute
which was reported adversely, was mad
a special order for May Z.
Mr.. Massie, of the Senate committe
on roads and internal navigation, re
ported from that body the bill regardin
vestibules on street-cars. The amend
ment requires that the vestibules sha
be placed on the cars from November
to April 80 of each year. All obJectio
to the measure has been withdrawn
The bill has passed the House, where
was presented by Mr.. Toney, Of Man
chester. 1t was placed on the Senat
calendar.
A number of bills were introduced i
the House.