The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-02-15

LOSES OUT
His Hospital Investigation
Resolution Is Committed.
MANY SENATOR'S SPEAK
Col. w. w. Sale, Of Norfolk, Leads the
Fight for Its Adoption. but Mr..
Clayton Succeeds In Sending ii
Back-other live Gossip.

The Senate held a long session yester-
day. and 1t was devoted almost exclusively
to discussion of the resolution offered
by Mr.. Cromwell, OF Norfolk county, ia
provide for investigating into the m ethods
OF bookkeeping at the various State Hos-
pitfalls for tho insane. The resolution was
finally recommltted to tho Committee on
Public Institutions and Education, on mos
ton of Mr.. Clayton, OF Bedford.
The resolution offered by Mr.. Gold some
days ago in relation to the placing Of thu
statue Of General Lee In Statuary Hall in
Washington. was dismissed at the request
Of the patron, as the Halsey bill had
been passed.
The Cromwell resolution providing foS
a joint committee to investigate the syst
rltals for the confinement OF the insane
came up, and Mr.. Sale opened the debate,
speaking strongly In its favor. 4f
MR.. CLAYToR OPPOSES.
Mr.. Clayton called attention to the
fact that the Constitutional Convention
had anticipated the General Assembly
and had made provision for commits
to do the very work that Is contemplated
by this resolution. @
4 The Governor would appoint q commis-
sioner to be confirmed by the Senate.
This officer would probably be named and
enter upon his work about the first OF
March.
Mr.. wickham ably backed Mr.. Caytor
In the contention that what It was pur-,
posed to do by this resolution was alto-
gether useless. t{R
Mr.. Barksdale wanted to know IL there
was any one who could state that the
Governor would appoint an expert ac-
countant, and Mr.. Clayton replied by
saying 1t was to be presumed that His
Excellency would name such a person
as was contemplated by the new Cons
stitution.
Mr.. SALES VIEW.
Mr.. Sale said that 1t was very impor-
tant for the General Assembly to get
some information to enable the law-mak-3
ers to properly guard the duties OF the
commission. The milk in the cocoanut
was whether or not. this commissioner
should be made the purchasing agent.
| Mr.. Barksdale took the same view Of
tie matter. He said that there might be
| a perfect system OF bookkeeping. but tho
| fault might be in the purchasing OF sup
plies. He did not wish to reflect upon
| anyone.
|
resolution providing that the committee
should be empowered to make recom-
rendations as to uniformity OF salaries
OF the resident officers. III
BARKSDALES PLAIN TALK.
| Mr.. Barksdale said he had no charge
] 20 make against any one. but he did
I think that in the face OF the extraordl-
narily iNrge increases OF the appropra-
lions and in view OF the fact that they.
are going to continue to grow, 1t would
| be well for the Senate to get all the in-i
| formation possible to aid the members
| In making the appropriations Of the
| peoples money
During his remarks Mr.. Barksdale said
that 1t was q peculiar coincidence that
| when any proposition similar to this
| came up the heads Of these hospitals
are found In Richmond. 1t might be
| by accident, but it was a fact they were
here.
This aroused Mr.. opie and Mr.. Tyler.
who though that Mr.. BarksdaIe was:
rejecting upon the heads Of the insti-
buttons. Mr.. Barksdale got stirred up
and went back at those who were seems:
| ingly mad with him. fsg
He had, the highest regard for all tbs
heads OF the hospitals.
..You say no one of these gentlemen
has approached you?'' asked Mr.. opie.
Mot on this question, but one has come
| to mo to ask mo to aid IN getting nus
salary increased" replied the Halifax Sens
| ator.
Now, which statement shall we bes
leve? You said no one had approaches
! you; then you say one has spoken t.
you about increasing his salary
"I stated distinctly that no one had ap<
preached me on this particular Question,
| II you want to put me on cross-ey ninat
| ton, then do so, and will let tbs cd
out of the bag" daughter and applause.)
| This feature OF the discussion was not
! pursued further.
Mr. Wickham made statement as to
the economical administration Of the fl
| nances Of the hospitals. In view OF the
| fact that the commissioner Of hospitals
| should SO soon be named, he could sec
no good reason for the passage OF his
| resolution q
The amendment offered by Mr.. Byars
was adopted, and then Mr.. Clayton moved
| t. commit the resolution to the Commit
tee on Public Institutions and Education.
This motion prevailed by q vote OF thir-
1 teen to ten. tt e