The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1903-12-17
AGAINST OYSTER BILL.
DISCUSSION OF MEASURE BE-
GUN IN SENATE.

Senator Walker, OF Northum beriand,
Declares Proposed Plan UnjuHt and
lmpraeticabis- House Appropristes
Ten Thousand Dollars for State
Building at St. Louis The Election
Law.
The general assembly is buckling down
TO work with u view to getting through
before the holidays. Both branches, be
ginning Tuesday, will meet early and
hold unlimited afternoon, as we'll as
morning. sessions, the lower branch also
sitting at night.
The house refused to adopt the resolu
ton of Mr. Davis, providing Tor final ad'
iOurnment the 23d Its hoped however,
20 get through by that time.
The Keezel- Bsrksdale primary election
bill was order to its engrOssment in the
senate by theclosegote of | | to 10, which,
it is thought. foreshadows its defeat.
The most important provisions OF this
bill is that the vote in each county, or, as
amended, each precinct, shall control the
course of the delegates chosen. In con-
tests for United States Senator each
county will instruct its representatives
how TO vote, and Ia nominating conven-
tions for other offices the county, or pre-
cinct. will instruct its delegates.
The social club bill designed to crush
out the mushroom clubs and exempt
the standing clubs from it's operations
was rejected by the of IS TO 20.
Several amendments looking to max
ing the law more stringent were offered
and rejected, and Col Cation offered one,
which was adopted, allowing cities and
towns TO impose license tax not exceed
log $3.50 on social clubs selling liquor.
Delegate Boaz offered a resolution,
which was adopted, asking the opinion
of the attorney general as to whether the
present treasurers have the authority TO
compile the collection OF taxes for the
present year, and, II so, what effect this
will have upon their bondsmen.
Mr.. Jennings introduced bill to allow
fOundries 70 purchase scrap iron without
paying q Junk dealers license.
Senator Walker, OF Northumberland,
spoke against the Jordan oyster bill and
in favor Of adopting the committees ad-
verse report. An effort was made to
limit debate. MIR. Sears made an earnest
and efiectual protest against this.
MIR. Walker expressed regret that the
general assembly had seen tit to take up
u measure OF such grave Importance to
the entire State, and especially to alarge
proportion OF its citizens, at this late
stage OF the session, when there was not
sufficient time TO permit proper consider
alton. He reviewed the development OF
the oyster legislation in the State; re
ferred TO the hardsbips to which the oys-
termen are subjected, and discussed the
history of the Baylor survey, and the
reason that led to it's being made. lie
intimated that back OF the present fight
was a yearning of planters to secure
area within the Baylor survey.
These planters, he believed, did not
want barren area, OF which there was
plenty outside the survey. but really
wanted the natural oyster rock wherein
they might harvest without planting
Mr.. Walker made a critical analysis OF
the report of the special oyster commit
tee. ridiculed some Of the statements and
undertook to demonstrate that the plan
proposed was utterly impracticable. AZ
ter discussing the constitutional phase OF
the subject, Mr.. Walker made an i'm.
pressive appeal TO the senate not to pass
the bill.
The oyster discussion is likely to extend
through several days unless some rule is
aiopOted cutting il of.
Senator Sears will oppose the bill. a.
will probably Senator Tyler. Judge
Watkins will lead the fight for il, and
Mr.. Keezel, OF the board OF fisheries, will
champion the measure, to which he will
seek to add anumber of amendments.
The bill appropriating $1,000 for the
Virginia Building at st Louis and $780,
900 for additional wards to the hospital
az the University Fl Virginia passed with
out debate.
The afternoon session OF the house was
devoted to the further discussion OF the
Bsrksdale pure election law, and the up
shot of all was the engrOssment OF q
substitute offered by Mr.. Kelly for the
Cation bill, the effect of which will DO to
allow contributions to party committees
for legitimate campaign purposes, and 70
allow the payment OF the expenses OF a
public speaker canyassing outside OF bis
own county.
Senator Barksdale was on the floor
aud drew the amendment, which was
adopted, and said he would urge its
adontiOn Inv the senate