Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-02-18
Virginia Legislature.

Virginia L Legislature.
As stated in the Gazette of that day
the legislature yesterday followed up the
Roanoke case by the introduction OF bits
in both houses designed to prevent IN
future the necessity for sending large
bodies of troops to protect prisoners on
trial Tor crimes, the commission OF which
had enraged the people of certain local.
ties to an extent which rendered it prob
able that they would attempt to take the
law in their own hands.
In the Senate Mr.. Mann offered a bill
making it mandatory upon judge to
grant a change OF venue upon petition oil
a prisoner in cases where sheriff or
mayor has called for troops TO protect
the said prisoner. The bill passed Mon
day left it with discretionary with the
judge.
In the House H. G. Lowry offered
bill to allow the governor to designate
place for the execution of a criminal
other than that at which he was con-
demned. This also applies to the Roa-
noke case, and is designed to obyiate the
necessity for sending troops there when
the negro, Henry Williams, is hanged
for assaulting Mrs. Alice Shields.
The House and the Senate passed
Joint resolution, introduced by Messrs.
Stearnes and Sale, requesting the COVER
nor to invite and urge all States in the
Union to take action with view to be-
ing represented by exhibits at the James
town Exposition. 1t was explained that
this action was necessary in order that
representatives of the exposition might
at once begin work with the legislatures
of other States.
SENATE.
In the Senate the privileges and cleo
tions committee reported favorably the
bill of Mr.. Sale to redistrict the State.
Only the tidewater section is affect.
The measure takes Elizabeth City,
Warwick, aud York counties out of the
Second and puts them in the First dis
trict Charles City is taken out of the
Second and put in the Third district.
The object is to put Norfolk and New
port News into separate districts, thus
equalizing them on point of population
The Patterson bill providing for the
election of United States Senators by
primary, was adversely reported.
The bills passed were as follows:
TO require commonwealth attorneys to
attend all meetings Of boards of supervi-
sOrs.
To assess a franchise tax on stock ac-
tually issued instead of OH maximum
amount allowed by charter.
To allow notaries to qualify before
clerks Of court.
The committee on privileges and cleo
tons has prepared report in the con-
tested election case of Keen VS.. Turner,
from Franklin and Floyd counties. The
report which was unanimous, recommends
that the contestee retain his seat.
The committee on privileges and cleo
tons reported adversely on the bill pro-
viding for the selection of judges Of cleo
ton from lists to be furnished by politi-
cal parties.
The following bills were reported
Providing for the copying and posting
of poll lists in the State and for paying
for copying of said lists.
Providing for evidence of prepayment
of poll-taxes by voters who transfer from
one city or county toIanother city orcourty
HOUSE
Mr. Dunn, of Norfolk, introduced a
measure which creates board of Justice,
composed of the governor, attorney
general and president of the supreme
court. This body is empowered, be-
tween sessions Of the legislature to re-
move any Judge for cause. A re.
port of its action and the evidence taken
is to be submitted to the next legislature
for action.
A bill was offered, emanating from the
on agriculture, making it UNI
lawful to use barbed wire in the con-
struction of line fence without the con-
sent of all adjacent property owners, or
to use it along highways or streets, unless
authorized by supervisors or coun-
ellis.
The House, after an animated debate,
ordered engrossed the bill prescribing
heavy punishment for enticing away
farm hands or domestic laborers under
contract in writing with others. The
original bill also made it unlawful for
any one to employ or retain in their EN-.
plOy persons breaking contracts, but this
portion was stricken out. The state |
ment was made that labor agents for
mines and factories have enticed from |
the farms laborers, many of whom had |
signed contracts for different periods,
and who had obtained advances ofmoney |
Jr provisions from their employers.
The argument was advanced in favor
If the amendment adopted that if it was
made unlawful to any one to employ
aborers breaking their contracts, the
.esult would be to condemn such Iaborers
o starvation or to become a charge on
he public.
Mr.. Kelley presented bill to amend
he act creating a board of crop pest
so as not to apply to nur-
cries owned by the State, cities, towns,