Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1903-01-23
SESSION OF5THE. SENATE.

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The session OF the Senate yesterday
lasted for two hours, during which the
discussion Of the bill introduced by Sena.
tor Mcllwafne to prohibit the kissing O1
the Holy Bible in the administration Of
oathss was the chief topic. The bill was
deAeated by good majority, though
splendid fight was made by the patron.
Another matter Of interest was the com
munication received from the Auditor OF
Public Accounts. which referred to the
conditions Of the States finances under the
new Constitution. The statements were
not read. but we're ordered printed by the
Senate for the use OF the members III
the General Assembly.
d The senate W: called to order at noon
by Lieutenant-G Willard Prayer
was offered by the Rev. DR.. w. ". Tu-
dor, of the Methodist church.
Petitions praying for the enactment OF
the Mann liquor bill were prominent IN
the proceedings. members from all over
the State presenting them-
The following bills were presented and
referred:
BY Senator Donohoe: To establish q
branch of the State normal college school
at Manassas. The bill is similar to that
presented yesterday by Senator Lupton.
except that Manassas is substituted for
Winchester.
BY sSenator Shackelford: To amend
section 1885 In regard to the limttat ton OF
enforcement of deeds of trust and mort
cages. The amendment Is as follows:
provided further, That the clerk of the
said court shall index said extension In
both names in separate book. and
give reference to the book and page In
which the original writing Is recorded.
BILLS PASSED.
The following house bills were read .
third time and passed:
To authorize the city of Portsmouth to
issue bonds for paving.
To allow Newport News to issue bonds.
To allow Newport News to use certain
money.
The bill to allow the Governor to desig-
nate Judge to hold court in cases Of
disab ility Of judge to act provoked a
lively discussion.
Senator Barksdale proposed an amend
ment requiring the president Of the court
,of appeals to designate Judge. He con-
tended that the judiciary should be kept
aloof from purely political source. The
amendment was rejected.
KISSING THE BIBLE.
Senator McIIwaine's bill to prohibit
kissing OF the Bible in adminfstra ton of
oaths came up on its second reading.
The bill was explained by the patron.
Senator Wickham was opposed to the
BILL 1t might be step In the direction
OF eliminating the Bible from the courts
Of the State. and he would never cast
his vote for any measure which might
have such an effect.
Senator McIIwaine said he would vote
for bill to require the reading Of the
Bible In the public schools or elsewhere.
No man had a greater respect for the
Bible than he but for sanitary reasons
the bill was >dra wn.
Senator Clayton. Of Bedford. proposed
an amendment recurring the placing of
the hand on the Bible in the administra-
ton Of oath.
The bill was discussed at length by
Senator's Cogbill. Wickham. McIlwaine.
Anderson and Gold.
/ Senator Cogbill offered an amendment
making it optional. in cases where the
Bible is used In administering oaths. to
kiss the book. This was rejected
The bill was then put on Its engross-
ment and 1t was rejected-Ayes, II; noes.
49,
Several other bills on the calender were
were given first and second reading.
The senate adjourned at O'clock.