The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-12-29
LAW MAKERS
COME BACK.
The General Assembly Scheduled
to Convene at MONTE Finish
Up It's Important Work.
FEW MEMBERS ] HERE IRE YET '.
Great Deal Of Work Yet to be
\ Done i'll Next Twelve Days.
First Business Taken Up.

4 3tlsi thI5.l|
S The outlook for quorum ST tho Gem
cral Assembly at noon to-day Is any
thing but encouraging. Last night not
one OF the out-of-town members had re-
turned to the city, and but few OF the
employees. Senate Clerk r. A. Lynch was
already In the city.4and so was House
Enrolling Clerk John r. Loving. Senate
Clerk Joseph Button arrived last night
from his home in Appomattox, and was
in his office at the Capitol a. little later.
}Doorkeeper r. z. Lipscomb, OF the House.
Is at The Powhatan, and SO Is Sergeant
alarms Frank 3. Watkins, OF the Sem
ate. y85
The hour set for the converting OF the
E two houses Is at noon, but 1t was hardly
expected that a quorum OF the members
Of either would be present at the opening
session after the recess MIR. Duke. OF
fAlbemarlc, was expected last night but
had not arrived ut the hotel where ne
usually stops. While a number OF the
members Of both bodies are expected TO-
day, there will be hardly sufficient 70
transact business. BY Tomorrow " IS
hoped there will be the requisite num-
Der In attendance. t9H
TO Validate Marriages.
one Of the first things to be taken up
by the House will be the Senate bill vail
5idating marriages on licenses Issued ny
the county clerks since Decem Der lSth:
This bill has passed the Senate and VIII
pass the House without objection as soon
as sufficient members are present 10 JUS
tify roll call. %s 4,
The most important and imperative
piece OF legislation to be taken up IS
the House bill extending the time for
six months In which the jamestown Elk
position Company may raise the one NIL
lion dollars required 70 be suoscIln eaao pc e
fore the states appropriation OF s2oo.vo
becomes available. This bill has already
passed the House and received fourteen
votes in the Sena te. when q q uorun1
failed, and the matter went over until
after the recess. The bill must pass pc
foro January /. 1904, and every eliort WI
be made to rush the bill through without
delay. With a quorum present to-day or
tomorrow there is little doubt that the
bin viii be pushed through without delay.
IS The report ofIthe conference committee
to the two houses on the disagreeing
votes on the amendments to the Edm y, 4
son general road law will be made 10
both houses. With this report adopted
as 1T will be, the road bill will become
statute. t43i7
The Senate Committee for Courts OF
Justice must give one or two more hear
ainrs on the bill in relation to corporations
and that In relation to public service COR
nora lions and the law as to eminent DO
main. Then this report will be taken,
10 and debated. and Will probably con-
sumo considerable time.
After to- day. there are twelve working
Gays left for the completion OF the busi-
ress OF this Assembly, and the following
day, wednesday, January 18th. at noon,
= sitting. SO
with a large volume Of business yet to be
considered and disposed OF the members
OF the present Senate and House have
b, sy fortnight Many Of those in both
houses will remain and resume work IN
the new ASS emily, but the majority OF
tho members OF the House will retire In
favor OF new men,
It is expected that double daily sessions
and probably evening. sessions will be In,
augurated before the close of the week
The Fight for Offices.
Ere the present Assembly adjourns sine
die canyassir1g for tho offices to be I'LL
ell by the new, will actively begin. The
officers OF the two houses the Register
OF the Land Office, Superintendent OF
Public Printing and various other posi-
til ns are to be filled and there are Several
lively contests.
faWhen the members OF the House re-
turn they will not know the hall In which
for many treary months they have been
fs,,..l1g. Il Tho long and continuous SER
vice to which this room has been sub.
1ccted since the Constitutional Convcn-
ton assembled here early In tho suns
mer Of 1901, has had a noticeable effect
upon the carpet in the hall. There was
cl wing need for change, and the need
has at last been supplied. A new and
handsome carpet OF a deepred color, witt,
attractive figured design, has been put
down on the main floor. and a carpet with
smaller figure has been put down on the
rtstrum. The aisles and space outside
the rail have been covered with now co..
Goa mattings The now carpets add
greatly to the appearance OF the old hall.
and judging by the quantity Of dust re-
moved with the old floor covering. the
comfort Of the occupants OF tho hall will
be greatly enhanced. AZ