Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-05-06
LEGISLATURE.
SENATE.

SENATE.
The Senate yesterday passed number
of local bills, among them one authoriz-
ing the city Of Petersburg to purchase
necessary land to divert the water of the
Appomattox river so as to prevent
freshet water from filling the harbor.
The government has appropriated $780,
600 for the work.
Benjamin I. Gunter, recently elected
senator from Accomac and Northampton,
to succeed the late DR.. George w. Lee
cato, took the oath of Office and partici-
pated in the proceedings of the day.
The consideration of the bill in re-
gard to the government of cities and
towns was resumed, the amendments
were completed and the bill was ordered
to its engrossment. subsequently passed.
The section of the measure dealing
with the powers of mayors and the right
to suspend from Office any fireman or
policeman, or other official for cause,
was the bone of contention. The bill
provided that any official, suspended
should have the right of appeal to the
corporation or circuit court.
Mr.. Tyler offered an amendment to
eliminate the provision of right of
appeal.
Mr.. McIlwaine opposed the amend
ment. He did not think that any man
should be vested with such autOcratic
powers. Any person who felt aggrieved
had the right to appeal to the courts.
The amendment was overwhelmingly
defeated, and the bill was passed.
HOUSE.
House bill confirming the sale of the
rights of purchase of certain oyster
grounds in Curioman and Nomine bays,
in Westmoreland county, was passed by
vote of 81 to u. This bill had been
before the two House four months.
The Barksdale bill, in regard to en-
ticing away of servants, was defeated by
vote of 20 to 80.
The Campbell case comes up today
in the Senate, and the two reports of
the committees will be considered. 1t
is thought that the report by the six
members headed by Mr.. McIlwaine, of
Petersburg, will receive majority vote.
This report holds that the House pro-
ceedings were irregular and therefore
void.
Many bills were introduced in the
House. Mr.. Hunley withdrew his motion
entered on Monday to reconsider the vote
by which the Carter resolution was adopt
ed cutting off new matter and calling for
all committee reports by certain date.
He stated that he favored the resolution.
These bills were passed in the House,:
To amend an act to create and main
tain State board of crop pest commits
sioners, and to define its duties and pow
ers.
To incorporate the town of Mayville,
in Dumfries magisterial district, Prince
William county.
To provide for making enumerations
to determine the population of town or
city, as provided for by section 116, OF
the constitution.
To prohibit advertising for the purpose
of obtaining divorces.
Authorizing mutual life insurance COM
panies chartered in this State to reincor-
porate as stock companies under their
existing corporate names.
To amend the title of an act to prohi-
bit the establishment and location of
smallpox hospitals or pest houses with
in fifty yards Of any street, public road,
public park or public cemetery in any
city, town, or county of the Common
wealth. or to hereafter establish any such
hospital or pest house within one hundred
and fifty yards of any public road, public
park or public cemetery, in any county
of the Commonwealth, approved March
16, 1908.
To submit to the qualified voters of
the town of Manassas, in the county of
Prince William, at a special election to
be held therefor, the question of the
establishment of dispensary for the
sale of intoxicating liquors therein.
The following bills were offered and re-
ferred.
To repeal section 1908 of the code in
relation to the superintendent of weights
and measures.
To provide for the establishment of a
game commission and to define its du-
ties and powers.
Joint resolution, authorizing the sec
rotary of the commonwealth to deliver to
the department of public instruction GER
tain annual reports.
Mr.. Cation offered a bill to lower the
scale of taxation on the franchise OF
smaller corporations, and he declared
that its purpose was TO prevent the driv-
ing of these institutions out Of the State.
The bill was referred to the committee
on finance.
Mr. Cabell presented measure to
amend the law so as to include all cities
in the section of the code designed to
prevent the pollution of portable water
used in cities and towns, and it was re-
ferred to committee on counties, cities,
and towns