The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-03-01
DAY IN THE SENATE.
Appropriation Bill Engages the
Attention Of the Body.

A single bill had been passed and the
Senate was engaged i'll Il further discus
sion of the Campbell measure, now on
it's passage. permitting husband and wife
Ia testify for and against each other In
certain cases. when the arrival of tho
noon hour brought up for consideration
the general appropriation bill as II special
order. Business of every sort will be at
"a standstill until this vital act, disposing
of n grand total for two years of IS, 4o0. 900
Is disposed OF.
AT great length, Mr., Wickhan. of
Hanover. chairman of the Senate Com
inittee on Finance and Banks, went over
the bill, pointing out as to each item
first, any change that had been made iii
the existing. law by the bill as it came
from the House. and, second, any addi-
tional changes. recommended by the SEN
ate Committee. Concurring in every adj
dftion made by the House to the cur
rent appropriations the Senate Committee
proposed II number of increases on ITS
part, and in but one instance reduced an
amount as fixed in the printed bill.
This was With reference to the usual
allowance of Sc geo for,.mileagc of Judges.
A statement from the auditor of public
accounts to the effect that this entire
amount is now used induced the Senate
committee TO cut 1t down to $500.
Increase OversHouse.
AS stated, the Senate committee A,n-
Cured in everything the House proposed,
as far as they went, and where changes
were made. invariably proposed slight in
creases. The important changes are one
giving the attorney-general IN assistant
and another increasing the salary of the
Supreme Court judges. When he reached
the appropriation of 100000 annually TO
the primary schools. Mr.. Wickham paid
"a high tribute to Mr.. Thomas. of Lynch
burg, who has been indefatigable IN his
efforts In behalf of the schools. This
appropriation is 500 600 in excess of that
pf last year. Many senators asked ques-
lions as to various appropriations. and
there will evidently be: one or two sharp
lights before the bill gets through. The
Sepate committee Increases the %appropria-
tons for the first year by s37.T5o over the
House estimate, and the second Asar- by
$o6. $50. The House bill showed an in
crease over the appropriations made by
the last General Assembly of S50T,S46 for
the first year and $500 for the second
year. The Senate bill shows an increase
over the last appropriation of S545.096 for
the first yenr and s521y46 for the second
year, making n total increase by the
present General Assembly of s1,060.l42 over
the last appropriation for general 80
penses. The grand totals approximate
81, 10000 for each year, or an aggregate
OF Ss.4oo,Ooo for the two years.
Calling attention to these immense
sums, Mr.. Wickham declared that the
committee had labored long and earnest
ly over an appalling mass of details
which it would be his pleasure to lay
before the Senate in %extense, should
any member so desire. Speaking gener-
ally, ne declared that the State was in ex-
cellent financial condition, but that so
great are the demands for money. all for
worthy causes deserving consideration,
the General Assembly is getting down
~periIously near to the danger point wher,,
IL must carefully deliberate over so small
a matter as a 5000 appropriation.
Normal Doing Great Work.
Replying 10 questions from Mr.. Fulton,
OF. Warren as to the occasion for iur-
Their increasing the annuity to the
%lrarinville Normal school, Mr.. Winkham
With some warmth, declared that hi
Institution Was. the only contribution The
GeneTal Assembly made directly to The
women of the State, that it was doing a
great and growing work. and tnat for
his part he would have been willing 10
give II ten times as much, IL the
treasury could have afforded II. When