The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1903-05-21

THE LEGISLATURE AoJouRNs


Some OF the view Ie"s
The Legislature has completed its work
for the present session and the body has
formally adjourned
Election laws were among the most
important enactments. among them be
| ing the following;
: he Barksda ale bill. to promote pure
elections and prevent bribery ;limitingex
pen-ss of candida tes ana declaring void'
nnder certain conditions. elections he'd ia
/ violation of the act
A bill amending sections Ia and ''4'
of the code in relation 10 evidence 10
cases of bribery. so as to provide that
person can testify without Incrlm'nat-
/ ing himself
TO make effective the provisions OF the
new Constitution in regard To regl-'ra'
tiOn Of voters o
To amend Sections i2j and l29 oi the
Code in regard TO receiving and canvas
sing election returns The canvass IL u
commence by taking out OF the box the
ballots unopened in the presence oi TWO
representatives OF each political party II
sucb REQUEST il made. The witnesses ARE
70 he present during the whole count.
Amending Section II Of the Walton
Election law and providing that voter
,.an designate either of the Judges 10
mark his ballot.
TWO niN OHE NEAsi hfS
Two important bills regarding divorce
were passed. One provides that deposi-
tions shall be taken only before commits
sioners of chancery. which will prevent
the secret taking OF evidence IN divorce
cases. The other amends Section 22Dp
of the Code and provides that a decree
for divorce from bed and board may he
revoked upon the joint application oI
both parties aud the production by them
of evidence of'reconciliation. IL also pro
vides that after three years from entering
of such decree. upon evidence. the court
NAV merge such decree Tor divorce from
bed and board into a decree Tom Inv
bonds OF matrimony.
Amow TO Omsrs
A bin that caused extended debate ana
WAS watched with great interest was
that amending Sections lI4I snd l'"u
of the Code regulating the practice oil
medicine and surgery
This new law requires ailopath-.
homeopaths. OsteOpaths and All other
curists TO stand examination he-
fore the State Board OF Medical ESAmin-
ers a. 10 qualifications 20 practice the
healing art The Christian Scientists
made a strong fight against the mn
which. tits understoOd, includes them IN
it's provisions. but they were unable To
defeat il.
The Legislature also reenacted Seton
1859 OF the Code. 10 relation to the prec-
tice of pharmacy. allowing country doc
tors to dispense drugs.
FOR STATUES AND HOLIDAYS
A law was made to establish ~ holi-
days January ! January IL Tee hirth' |
day). February - (Washington's birth.
dayl May 30 Confederate Memorial
Dayl. July 4. the first Monday in Septem-
her Labor Day. December - and any |
day set apart by the President or the
,iovernor for fasting, prayer or other re-
ligious observance.
The bill TO provide for statue OF Gen
Robert f. Lee, to be placed IN Statnary
Hall in the Capitol at Washington, wac
allowed TO become law without GoV.
Montague's signature. This act also
provides for bronze cast OF Houdons =
statue of Washington that IL now IN
Statuary Hall
WHISKY AND CHILD LABOR
A child labor law was enacted which
makes it misdemeanOr to employ chill
dren under the age of II years IN any
mandatory, mining and mechanical
oterations and regulates the hours ol
employment of children between the ages
OF y and ( years.
Measures were passed conierring upon
towns additional power to regulate and
control the sale OF wine, malt liquors and
all intOxicants
The Mann bill, which was passed as a
section Of the revenue act, provides LOT
practical prohibition over most OF the
State, az il provides that. except in larger
towns. a saloonkeeper must secure ma
iority OF the names OF the voters oi the
precinct to his petition before he can se-
cure license.
Slot machines of gambling nature
were prohibited.
One Of the most amusing bills passed
was that providing for the raising ana
training OF bloodhounds by officers "i the
law.
An appropriation was made Tor theen-
forcement Of the law prohibiting the sale
of unbranded and ad0terated FOODS III
the State