The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1904-02-20
LEGISLATURE.
BILLS FOR PREVENTION OF
LYNCHING.

Provides Change OF Venue-BiII In.
trodueed Providing for Removal OF
JUDGES for Cause House Passed
Measures Prescribing Heavy Pen
atty for Entieins Farm Laborers
Away From Their Employers.
The legislature followed up the Rna.
nOke case by the introduction OF bills 10
both houses designed to preysntin future
the necessity for sending large bodies OF
troops to protect prisoners on trial Tor
crimes. the commission OF which had en-
ragged the people Of certain localities To
an extent which rendered it probable
that they would attempt to take the law
in their own hands.
la the sena'e MIR. Mann offered bill
making il mandatory upon a iIdge TO
grant a change OF venue upon petition ol
a prisoner in cases where sheriff o
mayor has called for troops 10 prub Ct
the sal prisoner The hill passed Mon
day left il discretionary with the Judge.
la the house ii. &. Lowry ofierei a bill
TO allow the governor to designate a
place for the execution Of criminal
other than that at which he was con-
demned This also applies to the RJa-
noke case, and 10 designed TO Obyiate the
necessity for sending troops there when
the negro, Henry Williams, is hanged n
assaulting Mrs. Alice Shields
The house and the tenate passed "A
Joint resolution, introduced by Near.
Steafns ana Sale, requesting the Cover.
nor to invite aud urge all States in the
Union to take action with a view TO be
ing represented by exhibits at the jams
town Exposition. IL was explained
that this action was necessary in order
that representatives OF the exposition
might at once begin work with the legis-
latures OF other States.
MIR. Dunn, OF Norfolk. introduced a
measure which creates a board Of jus
tice, composed Of the governor, attorney
general, aud president Of the supreme
court. This body isempowered between
sessions of the legislature. TO remove
any Judge for cause.
A hill was offered, emanating from the
committee on agriculture, making 1t ~
lawful to use barbei wire In the con
struction of line fence without the con
sent OF all adjacent property owners, of
20 use il along highways or streets, IN
less Authorized by supervisors on councils.
The house ordered eDgrossed the bill
prescribing heavy punishishment for en-
ticing away farm hands or domestic
laborers under contract in writing with
Others The original bill also made II
unlawful for any one to employ or re-
tain in their employ persons breaking
contracts. but this portion was stricken
ont The Statement was made that Ia
Dor agents for mines and factories have
rnticed from the farms labOrrrs. many Of
whom had signed contracts Tor d iferent
periods and who had obtained advance
Of money or provisions from their I'm
plUyers
MIR. Slaughter offered an amendment
to the pension Laws, so as To prohibit
the pay ment Of pension TO the wild "
Of soldier, sailor, or marine who was
notoriOusly immoral.
Mr Jennings offered bill providing
that persons pawning or disposinR OF
property without the consent OF othe ?
in whom the title to it is vested, shall he
deemed guilty of larceny
Ia the senate the privileges and cleo
tions committee reported fsyorably the
bill Of Mr.. Sale to redstrict the state.
The measure takes Elizabeth fifty. War
" ics. and York Counties ont of the Sec.
ond and puts them in the Fret district
Charles City is taken out of the Second
and put in the Third district The object
is to put Norfolk and Newport News into
separate Districts, thus equaliziDg them
in point of population.
The Paterson bill, providing for thu
election OF United States Senators by pri'
mary, was adversely reported. These
bill- passed:
To require commonwealth attorneys
to attend all meetings Of boards ofsuper
visOrs.
To assess a franchise tax on stock ac-
tually issued instead OF on maximum
amount allowed by charter
TO allow nOtaries TO qualify before
clerks Of courts.