Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-01-25
H LEGISLATURE.
SENATE.


Lynchburg, on Saturday introduced a
bill which, if it becomes law, will reyo-
lutionize the school system in Virginia.
1t is a compromise measure between the
plan of those who desire to see the
negroes have equal advantages with the
whites and the plan of those who would
divide the school fund between the races
in the ratio oftaxes paid. The bill ap-
p~ropriates $500, 00U annually for primary
schools in Virginia, to'be distributed ac-
cording to population and for the public
good. The use of the money will be
committed to the local school authorities
under the belief that they will employ
it to the advantage of the white citizens.
A companion bill accompanies the
first which provides that the circuit
judge shall appoint three citizens on the
electoral board that appoints the school
trustees. At present the board consists
of the commonwealth attorney, the
superintendent ofschools and one citizen.
Mr.. Thomas's idea is to remove the APP
pointment of school trustee entirely from
the realm of politics. The bill also
permits local taxation for schools to the
full constitutional limit of five mills on
thu 800, and abolishes the restriction
| that a school must run five months be-
fore it can receive an appropriation from
| the State. No bill this session has
created so much interest.
Mr.. Revercomb presented a bill Civ
ing the right of appeal in contested cleo
ton cases, and Mr.. Byars offered one
providing for publication in act Of as
sembly of a list of foreign and domestic
corporations qualified to do business in
the State.
A bill of Mr.. Mann, of Nottoway, was
taken up out of its order and passed. 1t
extends to cities and towns the pro-
visions Of the local option law, and limits
the holding of such elections to once In
two years.
Mr.. Byars offered a bill to authorize
publication in the acts of the General
Assembly of a list ofdomestic and foreign
corporations, legally qualified and
licensed to do business in the State OF
| Virginia, showing the amount of the
capital stock and the county or city
wherein is located the general offices OF
said corporation.
HOUSE.
Colonel Ste wart, of Norfolk, intro
duced a bill to cure the evil of officers OF
the legislature lobbying among the mem
beers. aud makes the offense a felony,
with punishment Of from one TO three
years.
Another bill, making provision for the
annexation of territory to towns or
cities was presented, Mr.. Roseneck
being the patron. 1t provides for an
election ordered by the circuit judge, in
which voters of the territory sought to
be annexed shall vote, and also pro-
vides an alternative of agreement on the
subject between the supervisors of
counties and councils of towns or cities,
without an election.
Mr.. Stubs, of Gloucester, introduced
a bill which allows any 10 citizens OF
any district to have any line of the Bay
lor survey re~-established, provided they
give bond sufficient to pay the cost
if proven that the survey was unneces-
sary.
DR.. Snead, of Princess Anne, offered
a bill to head off a class of squatter hunt
ers who locate on the ducking grounds
in that county for h month or so claim
ing the privileges of citizenship and pay
no license to hunt. The bill requires
that a man must be a resident for II
months before being relieved Of the
special license,
A bill offered by Mr.. Bridgforth pro-
yides that where landlord and tenant are
unable to agree on the division of crops
raised on rented lands, each shall call in
a Justice of the peace, who shall appoint
a board of three freeholders from an
other district, whose decision shall be
final.
Mr.. Willeroy offered a bill creating a
commission of six, three from each
branch of the general assembly, to re-
wise the code Of Virginia. Each men,
Der is to receive 80, 900, with 81, 500 for
clerk hire.
Mr.. Jennings presented a bill making
an increase of 5000 each in the salaries
Of second auditor and treasurer.
Mr.. Spessard presented a bill, amend
ing the law regarding excess charges for
interest, so as to allow licensed brokers
who have negoti ated loans to receive
more than the legal rate.
The House by adhesive vote showed Its
determination to sit the session out by
defeating the joint resolution for an H.
month recess, beginning February II.
The vote was 43 to l3.