Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1904-03-09
RECENT VIRGINIA LEGISLATION.

The Richmond papers are out
spoken in their criticism of the
Legislature for It's defeat of the
Torrens Bill, of which Hon. Black
burn Smith was the patron. The
.TimeS-DiSpatch calls it An Tn
pardonable Blundcr." We don't
really know much about the Tor
rens bill. and don't suppose, any
one but the lawyers do. as Judge
Moore informs Us that he has taken
a great deal of time to read it and
understand its provisions. How
ever, if the measure is a good one.
we can safely feel that those who
voted against it will be convinced
of their error and will vote i'm
favor of 1t when il Is itroduced at
the next session Of the Legislature.
In regard TO the bill to allow the
counties 10 collect taxes on the
rolling-stock of the railroads. we
believe everyone understands it
and regrets that the Legislature
should continue TO allow Richmond
and Roanoke To have the entire
benefit Of this taxation. As Hon.
Marshall Mccormick stated in his
letter to the COURIER last week. it
would give Clarke and Warren
counties about S225,O0O more tax
able property than they now have.
if II was allowed to 90 to the coun-
ties through which the roads pass.
according to the mileage of track
IN each county. That bill was
what we considered THE greatest
good for the greatest number"
The bill to make pistol carry
ng" jailable offense, was. we
believe, properly defeated. Asan
opponent to the bill stated. it.
would allow those who are going to
carry arms, law or no law. to know
who to hold up" and who to let
alone.
The bill to appropriate S25O,OOOI
for a new Capitol building at Rich
mond should have been introduced
and passed years ago. The old
Capitol was certainly not adequate
or suitable under the existing con-
ditions of business in Richmond.
We believe the recent law passed
to lower the tolls on roads in this
county will work to disadvantage.
as we are informed by those who
are connected with the turnpike
companies that the roads cannot
be kept in condition with the re-
duced tolls. They say the result |
will be that all of the annual toll |
tickets" viii be called in and the |
holders thereof forced to pay fuII /
fare. As we understand the mat |
ter only those living in the county.
or near the line, and who travel |
the roads great deal. ever take |
out these yearly toll tickets. The
transient traveller, who travels lit
tie, IS made to pay the full rate. |
Is the matter Is stated to us now.
our home people will have to pay
the same rate as the outsider. Asl
we believe all will agree. if the re-
duced tolls is to have the effect of
letting our roads get into a worse
condition than they are at present.
by all means the law should be re-
pealed. We believe in good roads
the best roads-and nothing
should be done to hinder or retard
this result. If we are confronted
with high toll or bad roads. let MS
have high toll.
The bill to provide for bureau
OF insurance, was defeated. This
bill would have created a commits
sion which would have had super
vision of all the insurance comma
MES in the State. We believe it
would have been good law. as the
insurance companies very often
need supervision and restraint.
Another bill that was killed by
being referred was one providing