The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-01-08

man suspected OF improper practices,
bribery and corruption, and the Barks-
dale law did no more. but merely ham,
percd men who were candidates for OIL
flee lie admitted that candidates sum-
,noned before the grand jury could refuse
to testify. but said they could do the
some under tho old law unless promised
immunity from tho uso Of their state
lnents against themselves.
Tho debate on the bill became general.
Senator Chapman, Of Greene, untngonlzed
the bill under discussion md tho law IT.
self. He made tho point that tho law
accomplished nothing that could not have
been accomplished under the statutes,
and had the effect of creating the I'M
preston that there was great need for
purity In politics in this Stnte.>
Senate Keezell Clipped into the DIS.
cussion a few short arm jnbs at tho Dill
under discussion. and at tho Barksaale
law itself The Constitution had done
much to purify elections, and the amend
mcnt proposed could accomplish nothing
further than to unfavorably advertise tho
state.
Mr.. Barksdalda came back III 4 serious
argument for the bill, speaking In ruth
o. impassloncd strain for the principles
OF tho bill, named for him and defending
It. against its critics. He also advocated
the bill To-, special grand jury inauistions
after elections and vigorously assalled tne
McIlwanc amendment.
NOT HIS NIGHT.
MIR. llarman of Tazewell, remarked
that It was not his fight. but that OF
the majority party. adding that ms par
ty was interested in the legislation, ana
speaking for the pure election law and
for the amendment.
Mr.. Watkins, of Prince Edward. OPP
posed the bill III ali earnest speech, ana
MIR. Wckham, of Hanover. IN the same
strain advocated the bill and PROPOSED the
NIcIlwainc amendment. Mr.. ILalsey also
briefly contributed to the discussion OPP
uosing tho bill under consideration.
Thcn Mr.. McIlwnine withdrew MS
amendment, admitting In doing SO that no
had ordered it merely to open up q ais-
c,ission OF the bill that would sho" INC
absurdity and improprety Of such leglsia :
ton. ;4,,
The bill itself was voted down WIN
but two affirmative votes
Thus ends a long fight for the enact
1ncnt OF any bill amending the BarKsdale
law and with 1t all leglslation alitct4i's
elections or primaries.
Besides the general election laws, Whlcn
were re-enacted, the only other bins re-
lntlng to eiections were the Barksaa's-
lleezell general primary bill. the Dill 10
rrdistrict the state for representatives
in Congress, and one other bill To prevent
or punish bribery In elections. VI these
only the last named has passed.
The general primary Bill. growing our
of II bill originally offered by Mr. Banks
dale. displaced by q bill framed by
Inc committee and modelled thereon, and
this in turn by bill drawn Jointly by
Senators Ecczell and Earksdale, was
i, ported from a Senate committee, paced
on the calendar, talon up, discussed, ana
amendments thereto proposed, but with
one accord 1t appears to have pcen
dropped. Tho bill still languishes on
tho calendar "unwept, unhonored ana
ursungn it being tacitly understood that
il cannot pass. No effort has been made
10 take 1T up, and 1t has been passed by
day after day without action or pro-
posals of action.
The reapportlonment bil.ln one form or
another has been under consideration or
on the caandars ever since the session
began in 1901 This, too. has been allowed
to slumber on, day after day, week after
week, and month after month until 1t Is
az dead as Caesar or Hector.
The failure Of the Legislature 10 enact
these bills Is generally construed to
mean that there is not sufficient demand
for them nor sentiment behind them to
enable them to command tho requisite
Votes. Although much time has been
consumed IN discussing bills relating to
elections tho net result or the two years
/ almost continuous sessions in Nothing,
with n capital NJ