Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-03-15
Virginia Legislature.
SENATE.

| order Yesterday at LII, Mneh an 0'On
dozen Senators were present. lmmed-
lately a recess was taken to noon on
motion of Mr.. Barksdale.
At noon the Senate reconvened, and
Mr.. Barksdale was recognized to con-
tinue his speech in opposition to the
Machen primary bill. He began by
saving that he hardly had time to con-
clude his speech. What he did desire,
however, was to correct an impression
that possibly has gained ground that he
represented the views of any one on
earth. His remarks were made on his
own responsibility, and withoutany sug'
pestion. direct or indirect, from the
Junior Senator from Virginia, and the
gentlemen referred to had made the
Statement in public and in private that
he was favorable to any plan the demo.
Gratis of the State might adopt, and
would cheerfully submit his claims 10
any plans that might meet with their
appreciation. -,
Mr.. PhIegar interrupted to know If the
Junior senator from Virginia was can
Sdidate for the nomination, and ifhe went
into a primary would he not have to ac-
cept whatever plan might obtain for the
nomination?
Mr.. Barksdale replied that he would
have to accept any plan that might be
in force regulating the method OF nomi-
nation.
"Then," said Mr.. Phlegar, che will
have to accept the plan and abide the re-
suit or read himself out of the party.
What then is the use of making the dec
laration that he will accept the planT'
Mr. Barksdale said that there was no
doubt that the junior senator would make
the canvass on any plan the democrats
might provide, and he was simply trying
to make it plain that the junior senator
| from Virginia was not responsible for
any rcmarks he (Barksdale) had made in
opposition to the primary bill. Person
aily. he was for Senator Martin, and he
had 10 apology to make for saying So
He declared Mr.. Martin had never tried
to influence legislation in his own behalf
and that the amendments to the Machen
bill were not in his interest. 1t was
further stated that the amendments made
to the Machen bill in the House had been
agreed to by the patron, and were not
designed to kill it, through such had
been their effect. In further discussion,
Mr.. Barksdale declared that primaries
would result in disrupting and running
the democratic party.
Mr.. Sale said that he did not see how
any impression could get abroad as the
Senator from Halifax had suggested. 1t
was known that the press of the State
was partisan. But he was opposed to al
lowing the present powers in control OF
the election machinery of the city of
Norfolk name the judges and clerks of
election. 1--WE have had taste of
that" declared the Senator, "and the
State committee is now engaged in re-
viewing a condition of affairs that is APP
palling."
Mr.. Barksdale then gave way to Mr..
Sale to call up the resolution providing
that the presiding officers of the Senate
and House should fill vacancies on the
oyster commission in order that the re-
port of the commission for uniformity
of legislation on the oyster question be.
tween this State and Maryland might be
made. He explained that no trip was
contemplated, merely the formation of
the report. The question was on con-
currence of the Senate in House reso-
luton, and the concurrence was had.
After adopting resolution. of thanks
to all its officers, specially handsome
tribute being paid to Lieut.. Gov. Will
lard, the legislature adjourned until $3.50
this morning and adjourned finally at
| p. m.
President Willard, with apparent feel
ing of gratitude, very happily acknowl-
edged the handsome tribute to him stat
ing that in years to come he would look
back upon the associations as presiding
officer of the Senate as one of the pleas
ATTEST of his life. He spoke of the uni
formly courteous and friendly relations
existing between himselfand every men,
Der of the body and expressed his appre-
citation of the courtesy and kindliness
shown him. The response was in the ma
ture of brief valedictory to the Senate
this being the last service of Captain Will
lard as its presiding officer.
Among the most important OF the bills
that failed to pass is the one offered by
Speaker Ryan, reducing the State tax on
real and personal property 8 cents on
the 500. This passed the House, but
was killed in the finance committee OF
the Senate. There was quite a number
of bills of lesser import that failed
to pass, but large number of meas
ures got through, the practical effect
of which will not be known for some
time.
HOUSE.
Mr.. Moses Green called up the ques-
ton of the joint legislative committee to
confer with like committee from Mary
land, which measure was defeated in the
Senate Saturday. Mr.. Green explained
that the measure was very important
one and that its dismissal in the Senate
on the ground that it was merely an ex-
cnse for another junketing trip was very
unfair treatment, that the committee was
one Of long standing and regarded so i'm
portant that the presiding officers were