Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-03-04
Virginia Legislature.
SENATE.


The feature in the Senate yesterday
was the passage by vote of 10 to 9 OF
the Sale-Holt bill to redistrict the State
so as to put Norfolk and Newport News
in separate districts.
The Senate passed bills designed to
wipe out certain floating barrooms In
local option districts, especially on the
Rappahannock river.
The Senate finance committee pre-
scented reports on the three amendments
to the liquor laws that have passed the
House. The body recommended the
passage of one allowing rebate on
licenses to liquor dealers in places where
the liquor traffic is abolished. The
committee recommends the defeat Of the
bills abolishing the Jail sentence for the
sale of liquor ON Sunday and allowing
liquor dealers in districts that go dry
ninety days in which to wind up their
business. The Auti-Saloon League siren
uously opposed these bills.
HOUSE.
The bill sppropriating a quarter OF a
million of dollars to extend and improve
the present Capitol building was passed
by the House. The bill provides that
the Capitol building committee shall take
up the work as soon as the legislature
adjourns. The plans provide for the ad-
dition of two wings, one on either side,
observing the same style of architecture
as main building. The old building
will not be changed except to carry out
the original plan of a grand tier of steps
the width of the portico, extending to
the ground. The interior will be re-
modelled and will give space for all the
departments of the State government.
The committee will endeavor to have
the improvements completed by the time
the next regular legislature meets
in 1906.
The House adopted joint resolution
calling on Virginia's representatives in
Congress to support the movement to
give national aid in the permanent i'm
proyement of the public roads OF the
various States.
At request of the representatives Of
Roanoke the House recommitted the
Senate bill extending the time of all city
officers who are appointed by councils
of cities where the councils have two
branches. The Roanoke members, who
only desire to amend the bill in so far as
their city is affected, promised that there
should be no more delay in the matter
than could be avoided.
The House, on request of Mr.. Person,
the patron, dismissed the bill providing
for the sale of the Medical College Of
Virginia. Mr.. Person announced that
he had not given up the fight, but ex-
pected to hereafter reintroduce his
bill.
A number of bills were offered, mostly
of local nature, including two by Mr..
Stewart, looking to the appointment of a
police Justice for Portsmouth, and one
by Mr. Royal to settle the boundary be-
tween Virginia and Kentucky, along
Buchanan county. A large number Of
bills were passed.
The Senate yesterday passed the
bill making April 5, the date upon
which the battleship Virginia is to be
launched, legal holiday.
At the afternoon session of the House
Messrs. Wood and Gum offered bill
appropriating IS, 900 to convey the militia
of Virginia to the launching Of the war
| shin Virginia. at Newport News. April 3.
1t was referred.
The bill to require candidates to take
an oath in advance not to spend money
in their canvasses was defeated.
Favorable reports were made to the
House this afternoon on the Holt-Sale
redistricting bill, and the Keezell resolu-
ton declaring for a single system ofpub-
lie school books.
The finance committee of the House
made two reports which will cause much
opposition when they are taken up. The
Senate recently passed bills appropriating
$l65, 900 for the Virginia Polytechnic In
stitute at Blacksburg, and s55, 900 for
the State Normal School at Farmyille.
The House committees reports reduce
these amounts to 800, 900 aud $50, 900,
respectively.
The House at its afternoon session
killed the bill requiring candidates to
swear in advance not to spend money in
elections.
The bill to prevent negroes from riding
on Pullman cars was passed.
The House passed the Senate bill to
prevent the unauthorized use of the
name or picture of any person for the
purpose of trade or for advertising lur-
poses. Also the House bill to create a
road board for the county of Fauquier
and to provide for the working of the
roads of said county.
The Cation general insurance bill was
engrossed, after, Oh motion of Mr.. Kel-
ley, it had been so amended as TO ex-
empt from its operations, mutual COM
panies organized by religious institu-
tons for the insurance of their own
property.
Ex-Gov S. B. Buckner, of Kentucky,
was rendered a reception by the House,
business being suspended.
n L..