The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-02-04
THE SENATE.
Lively Discussion Over Income
Tax Situation,


Tax Situation.
Two interesting discussions engaged
the attention OF the Senate yesterday
to the exclusion of other business
rather remarkable condition as to spe-
cial elections and who is qualified, to
vote Mt them was pointed out in the
debate of the Thomas bill authorizing
counties to issue bonds for road improve
ment. The exemption OF Judges from the
payment OF the income tax was holly
.onposed and the bill went over for the
day.
The session began at 1870 o'clock. with
President Ellyson in the chair, and
fairly good attendance OF members pres
emit. An unusually large number of visit
ors, including many school children, were
in tho galleries. Prayer was offered by
ting Rev. o. Ellyson, OF King George, an
uncle of the Lieutenant-Governo Com
mittee reports were received, and the
calendar was called. bringing up a num-
Der OF bills on their second reading, sew
era, OF which were ordered to their en-
grossment. For the first time since the
session began, not single new bill or
resolution was offered under the call.
gasp OF establishment passed over the
half But several bills came in late in the
day and showed that the senatorial mind
was still in action.
Considerable discussion sprang up over
the Thomas bill. providing for the issu-
ance of county bonds for permanent road
improvement. It was explained By Mr..
Thomas that the act proposed merely 10
furnish the machinery by which counties
or their magisterial districts, II thew SO
desired, could effect internal Improve
ments at their own expense. The work Is
to be done on the contract system. The
new plan. 1t was stated, interferes in no
way with existing road laws and will az
set no measures hereafter to be adopted.
1t merely provides the machinery afore-
said, which machinery may or may not
be utilized. as the various counties shall
see ft. Various amendments perfecting
the details of the plan were offered, dis
cussed and adopted, and the bill was
then passed by until Monday for the fur
Their consideration of an intricate consti-
tutional question raised by several sem
ators.
It Cuts Deeply.
Not only does this constitutional uues-
ton affect the bill under discussion, but
1t touches upon a condition that cuts
deeply in every direction. The Thomas
bill provided for special elections in coun-
ties for popular expression upon the
matter of issuing bonds. Judge Phlesar
at once inquired as to who. under tho
law. constituted the qualified voters in
a special election. He read from the
Constitution the provision requiring the
poll-tax prepayment six months in nd
vance for the right of suffrage at the
regular elections. But he was unable to
discover any provision touching special
election, and after considerable debate, 4
1t was apparently unanimously agreed
that some general law relieving the ditf!- 4
Guilty was necessary. In fact. 1t was
stated that such a general Law Is now
being drawn and will be offered probably
on Monday. Meanwhile, an amendment 10
tho Thomas bill was offered, providing
that the qualified voters in a special cleo
ton shall be those who were qualified TO
vote at. the next preceding November
election and who have not since become
disqualified on constitutional grounds.
Both bill and amendment went over for a
day.
Salaries Of Judges.
Similar course was taken by the Wick
ham bill, exenptinG the salaries of judges
from the income tax. The discussion Of
this measure consumed the remainder Of
the session, and at tho conclusion OF the
debate, at the suggestion of the Hanover
senator himself, the bill was passed by,
so as to give the members mora time for
consideration.
"A rather anomalous condition presented
itself when the bill was taken up on It's
second reading. The measure was yio-
lently opposed, on the ground that>it was
unconstitutional and was earnestly adj
vocated on the ground that 1t was ncces-
sary to carry out the provisions OF the
Constitution.
Senator wickham read from the Con-
eft %S,n ali 1ar it1er hot tho
salaries of the judges Of the Supreme
Court shall be mot less than $4,000" per
year, and declared that to deduct an In
come tax from this amount constitutes
n clear violation of the law. On the
other hand, it was argued by Mr. Kee-
zell, Of Rockingham; Mr.. Thomas. OF
Lynchburg and others that the exemp-
ton of judges created a class distino-
ton in violation OF the Constitution. 1t
was also pointed out that the Constitu-
ton contained clauses touching the sal
aries OF other officers as we'll, and it was
even claimed that every State officer
whose salary was fixed by tho General
Assembly. would have equal right with
the Judges to be exempt Mr., Wickham
offered an amendment making the ex-
emption apply to all Constitutional Of
ficers.' but Mr.. Keezell and Mr. Thomas
continued to oppose an exemption in
any form. II.
The discussion between the senator
from Rockingham. and the senator from
Hanover was distinctly interesting and
engaged the amused attention of all the
senators. Eli; s!
y Both senators were on their feet at the
same time frequently, firing questions
at each other, the Hanover legislator
hurting questions at the gigantic form
+of his opponent who sent them hack with
equal force. There was a flicker 81 a,
smile upon the face OF Mr., Wickhaln,
and amusement was struggling with the