The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1904-03-15
PRIMARY BILL KILLED.
Talked to Death in Senate Opponents
of Measure Led FiIibuster Coming
Senatorial Contest tho Keynote OF
Political Debate.

Senatorial Contest tho Keynote o.
Political Debate.
The Machen general primary election
bill was talked TO death In the senat,
Saturday, where it had been returned
from the house for concurrence in amend
ments The flbuster took the supporter,
of the bill.
The Machen bill passed the senate sey
eral days ago by a considerable ajorit,
and went to the house. by which it va,
amended 10 three apparently ubimpor
tant particular, ueeessltating its return
to the senate for concurrence IL il now
known that these amendments were en-
grated for the purpose OF kiling the bill
since both bodies were working under 2
resolution which prohibited each, ai,el
Friday. from considering any measure,
except those originating in the Othel
body.
When the Maehen bill was reported
with amendments. the first fight cam,
on the terms ~ the resolution, Messrs
Fulton and Machen holding that Il
should not apply 10 bill which had al
EtAll phSStI tue StHdtt huu uhl Uttl
simply amended ia the house
The opposite view was taken by Mr
Tavenner and Mr. Barksdsle, but IN,
Chair ruled that the bill might be con
sidered In doing so. Lie6t. Gov. Willard
announced that be would welcome On
appeal from his decision. MIR Barksda {
made such an appeal, but afterward
withdrew &c.
The opponents OF the bill then set in q
talk it 10 death, although the small at
tendance, and test vote prior 70 ths
discussion, seemed to indicate that il
it would be defeated
Mr. Tsvenner, OF Shenandoah, was thC
fret speaker, his main opposition being
based on the fact that the bill allows
any illiterate or disabled person to select
some persons TO mark his ball 1t for him
He contended that this would bring the
vote-buyer and vote-seller together in
the booth, where the former could max
sure that the goods were delivered.
why did you not allow Judge a
election to mark the ballots?' he asked
Mr. Mschen.
The latter quickly responded, calling
attention to the opportunity thereby al
forded crooked judges to get in their
work for those who paid them.
Mr.. Barksdale. author of the pure cleo
ton law, once against, but now for, Sen
ator Martin, and the bitter foe Gov
Montague, followed in a sensational
speech in which be declared that the
true inwardness OF the fight sgaint the
bill was the fear that it might handicap
Martin In his race for reelection to the
u. s. Senate, and operate in favor OF Gov.
Montague, who will almost surely be a
candidate. =
Mr. Barksdale found il necessary 10 his
speech to go back to the May convention.
OF which, he confessed with sorrow, he
was a member, and the object OF which.
be declared, was TO defeat the Junior Sen
ator from Virginia.
"But it did not defeat him." be said.
NOR will he be beaten this time He il
not afraid to go before the people. All
the Outs were at that convention, and
they wanted TO get in Our present gov.
ernor was in the van. The convention
resoluted, made speeches, and then went
home. The mantle OF it's folly fell upon
the governor, who got all that was com.
Ing to him, and another governor levi.
IDENTIFY still referring to Monta2ne) will
soon get all that is coming to him again -
Mr.. Barksdale still had the floor when
the senate took recess until later in the
day. He spoke two hours at the after
noon session, until an adjournment was
taken until Monday, when be will resume
This kills the Machen BILL 1t was fiji
buster.
A Joint resolution was adopted *
tending the session until Monday at |
IN the members to serve without pay,
in order that the constitutional pro.
vision requiring all bills to be signed by
the presiding officers in the presence OF
members may be complied with
Mr. StearDes made an unavailing fight
in the house to secure the passage OF the
bill permitting Newport News TO issue
100000 in bonds for the construction
OF an electric light plant. There have
been number OF Newport News people
in Richmond for and against this, and
some are much incensed at it's failure to
pass.
The senate killed the house resolution
providing for commission from Yir.
ginia to confer with one from Maryland
regarding the oyster interests OF the two
States.