The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1906-01-16
THE LEGISLATURE
Termination of Capt Willard as
Commissioner Confirmed.
Many Bills Introduced Calling tor Large ApprO-
pfalon,- Good Roads msaSure-1hs Thomas
Primary Bill

The nomination of Col Joseph +. Viii
lard 10y Gov. Montague Tor corporation
commissioner to hll both the vacancy
caused by the resignation OF Henry Fair
lax and the long term of siX years rs his
successor ON thecommissiOn, was ratified
in Joint executive session Of the assembly
Friday.
ON Tuesday the legislature will re-elect
Hon. Thomas Staples Martin 10 the | nj
ted States Senate Tor another term.
The-ioiut session OF the two bodies was
the chief work oi the legislature Friday.
When the house aud senate met sepa-
rately they did little but receive bills,
which were offered Ia large number. 80
Der cent. fthem calling for appropria-
fions. Asan offset. peIegat, Bland, Of
Portsmouth. offered a resolution that
the finance committee use its best en-
deavofs TO reduce State taxation 20 n
minimum. The resolution was adopted.
More good roads bills came in and Ia
most of them there were further Iclcr-
enceS to the USE of convict labor on the
highways OF the stat.
Delegate Glenn. OF Richmond. calledior
the appontment of public accountant
whose duty IL shall Doe to watch public
expenditures in the interest oi econom!
and honesty.
At the request of Judge Williams. the
house adopted resolution requesting
the c-snmilt 60 on courts OF justice to
report az to the most expeditions ana
economical way oi compiling the statute
laws OF the State IN thr form OF code.
When President Pro TEN Nickham IN
the senate called for the Introduction oi
bills. hall a hundred were sent to the
desk
Senator Thomas. OF LyVchburg, sum
marizes a- follows his primary bill, allow
ing parties 10 provide al regulatlonsaud
recurring the State To- pay for holding
the election. The object oi the bill Is To
utilize The present election machinery oi
'ihe State 80 as to allow political parties
to nominate their candidates m pumn-
~ held by the regular election officers Oi
the Stnte-thr expenses to De- paid 10y the
counties and cities as IN general elections.
Under the terms at this bill, the matter
of nominations j. left entirely in the
hands Oi the parties, aud they could hold
"a party primary Il Trey chose. but II
would n no sense boz a legallzcd primary
This bill provides a legal recognition oi
government by parties, and leaves the
parties % Use it or not AZ they mayelect.
The road bin introduced IN the house
ly Delegate Read provides for the ap-
pointment oi n road Inspector, who shall
be "A practical engineer and who shall
serve four-year term. beginning Janua-
rs !. 1907. The sum Oi SJOO,OOo, 1t Il
provided. shall be- set apart Tor the pur-
pose Oi aiding counties al the state 10
constructing highways. and leach county
viii receive help in proportion 10 the
amount OF revenue derived los the state
from 10. The working of convict gangs Is
also provided for in the proposed meas
ure.
NORFOIk AFTER ONE Or NOENiALs,HOOLs.
I'm the legislature Saturday most Ofthe
time vas consumed by Joint session 10
count the guberualOrial vote. The work
was done los 20 Joint committee, composed
of senator Chapman of Greene and Dele
gate Gregory.
In the senate Gen. AndersOnintrOduccd
% resolution providing for a.thorough
Investigation of the affairs of the y VI. l.,
Y. p. l. and other State Institutions.
Among the bills which will soon begiven
r. one providing system
of high schools Tor the State.
4 hill providing for the appointment
Of commissioners OF revenue 10y court OF
record was presented by Senator Chap
man.
Both Houses adjourned until Tuesday
The Norfolk delegation will make Il
tremendous effort 10 land one OF the thne
normal schools which have been recon-
mended by the special legislative com
mittee
The physicians and surgeons OF the
State will make an effort 10 obtain relief
from the professional tax at this term
OF the legislature
Col. Button, clerk OF the senate, follow
ed the old custom OF presenting pocket
knives 70 the members.