Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-12-22
THE LEGISLATURE.

the delegate from Accomac, was again
brought to the attention of the Senate
yesterday, and incidentally the yerac-
ity OF Governor Montague was ques-
toned.
Senator Barksdale read q letter from
Mr.. Matthews, in which he quotes DR..
Bowdoin, chairman of the hoard of fish
cries, and also democratic chairman OF
Accomac, as saying that he had letter
from Governor Montague, stating that
he (Matthews) polled the legislature at
the close Of the last session, and that
DR.. Bowdoin stated, further, that the
Governor appointed him to his position,
and he could not vote for any but a
Montague man. The writer of the letter
(Mr. Matthews) then states that DR..
Bowdoin used this argument to encom-
pass his defeat.
Mr.. Barksdale, after reading the letter
above mentioned, referred to the Gov
ernor's denial that he had written any
such letter, and said
81 made a statement while the Jor-
dan bill, relating to the oyster question,
was under discussion that the dele
gate from Accomac had said to me that
the machinery of the board of fish
cries had been used in the democratic
primary in his county to accom-
plish his defeat. This statement had
been publicly and generally made. My
only object in making this statement
was to defeat legislation which Thought
would Cypress and impoverish to great
extent the people of tidewater, Virginia.
l will say, further, that the statement
was made on the spur Of the moment
and without hint or suggestion from Mr..
Mathews or anyone else. The Govern
or, by insinuation or inuendo, questioned
my motives. If by stating what be-
lieye to be facts and stating my authority
therefore / have erred, l am sorry for it.
The Governor made his canvass for the
nomination on high grounds-on the
highest known grounds. He pleaded
for a revival Of old-fashioned patriotism
and denounced the machine, any man
who used it and any man who would
use his official position to reward or
punish, or to further his own political
fortunes. Now statements are publicly
made that the chairman of the board of
fisheries. who is the appointee Of the
Governor, used his official position in a
factional fight within the party, and that
be used it at the instance his excellency.
/ have repeated these statements and
given my authority, and if the result be
the exposure of political cant and hy-
pocrisy, 1 confess I shall be grattfed.
Like his Excellency, leave the matter
with the people to pass judgment, both |
as to my motives and his performances.
Mr.. Barksdales remarks, delivered |
with much feeling and all the energy of
which he is capable, created quite
sensation.
Governor Montague yesterday denied
that he had written the letter referred
10. 1.-THE charge is incorrect, so far as
it applies to me-" said the Governor.
81 have written no such letter to DR..
Bowdoin, l have a telegram from the
chairman OF the State Board of Fisheries |
saying he had received no such letter
from me, nor had he shown any such
letter."
The Keysville- Barksdsle primary cleo
ton law was made special order for the
Senate for January 5.
Senator Anderson made another effort
TO secure final action on the bill, pro-
viding a general plan for the annex
alton of territories to cities, but, for the
lack Of quorum, this failed.
HOUSE.
The Edmundson general road law was
passed by the House with slight amend
ments, but the Senate did not take
action on this, as it developed that con-
fusion might result from the passage of
the bill, owing to the fact that counties
having a special road law would be un-
der the necessity of securing action on
the road portion through the court,
while counties under the general law
would be subject to action of the board
Of supervision on general question re-
lating to roads.
A. Johnson Ackiss, by joint vote,
was elected judge of Princess Anne
county, to fill the vacancy occasioned by
the resignation of Judge B. D. White.
The new judge will have only one term
of the county court to hold, as the neS
judicial system goes into effect after the
January term.
1t now looks as though the legislature
will take recess for the Christmas
holidays, and remain in session until
time for the next general assembly TO
meet on the 18th of January. The
House, as stated yesterday, adopted res
olulion providing for a recess from
December % to go. The Senate has
adopted resolution providing for final
on Wednesday. There
will probably be a committee on con- |
ference.
Bill were passed defining the powers
and duties of the Board of Agriculture |
and immigration, and providing for an :
election of Commissioner of Agriculture
and Immigration.
To repeal an actapproved January 20, ,
1895, in relation to waiver of a jury in G
cases. /
To amend Gan act concerning corpora q
ions," which became law May 81, '
1903.
To amend an act to allow notaries or
'ther officers who hold stock in COM
'anies to take acknowledgements to deeds s
NJ othar rr-;t,noL .rk;oL I'D corn N rion | 4