The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-01-11
THE SENATE.
Worhnen scamper before the
Grave Lawmakers.

1IdVC LdWllldhSlS D.
mad scamper of workinen preceded
the session OF the senate. An hour be-
fore noon the august chamber was still
Uttered. with scraps of lumber and DIS
OF carpet, while a dalt-uolen men were
strewn about the floor hammering away
for dear lite. II was close call. y SEN
ator appeared and then several others
The men on the floor gasped and re-
doubled the energy of their hammer
strokes. The minutes slipped by rapidly.
each bringing more senators. The work
men finally arose from their task,
grabbed the lumber. wooden-horses, and
tools and disappeared. The trash was
swept up by jantors and fifty chairs
We're wheeled into the room and arranged
in "a sem-circle around the rostrum.
There were no desks. but the senators
managed the day with tolerable comfort.
Upon the stroke OF noon the gavel of
the president pro tenn, Senator Wickham,
of Hanover, fell, the noise ceased and
the Senate of Virginia came TO order. y
large group Of spectators. including
number OF women We're required to leave
the floor and find seats in the gallery.
The facilities in the chamber were poor.
but fortunately there was little to be
done beyond the routine One news
paper man managed to find chair at
one side of the clerk desk. Two others
stood UP and wrote in the window Lodges.
The opening prayer was made by the
Rev. Dr. +. r. McFaden. pastor of the
First Presbyterian Church, Immediately
after which an official communication
from the Secretary OF the Commonwealth
was read. containing list of the sena-
tors chosen in the November election,
together with an announcement of the
death of Senator Noblin. of Halifax. ard
the Executives order for a special cleo
ton on January Goth TO fill the va
cancy. Thirty-seven members responded
TO the roll-call. the absentees bNing Sem
ators Charles j. Anderson. of Richmond.
who is Ill: John r. Grccar, of Grayson.
who is not yet in the city, and CaInm
Patteson of Buckingham. Senator Pat
teson came in before the session ended.
In groups of four the new senators took
the oath of Office. administered by Clerk
Button. The rules of the last Senate
were adopted.
Mr.. Wickilam Chosen.
With these prellminaries disposed of.
the Senate proceeded al once to effect a
permanent organization. Senator Echols
took the chair and Senator Mann of
Nottoway chairman OF the Democratic
caucus, placed in nomination for the
from Hanover. The election of Senator
Wickham was the occasion for quite
little love feast, TO which 10th parties
contributed.
Senator Noel, the Republican floor
leader, arose Immediately after Senator
keezell seconded the nomination, and
declared that the ItS1ority reposed such
confidence in the sAmocratic choice for
the presidency that 1t would make no
sf<,,, H.
members !Gresent. was then cast for SEN
ator Wickksra, Who was escorted to the
iostrum by Senator Mann and Senator
Noel
u am profoundly gratified for the re-
fIewed confidence you have reposed in
me-" said the president pro tenn, re-
Stunning the chair. Il thank you from
The bottom of my heart"
a sharp rap of the gavel brought the
Senate TO consideration of the other
matters before 1t, and for some little
time after this the tedious calling OF the
rolls, as the various officers were unani-
1nously elected. engaged the attention of
the BODY. The minority made no opposi-
ton whatso1er Colonel Joseph But
ton was made clerk OF the Senate: Frank
b. Watkins, sergeant-at-arms. and s. NJ
Donald, doorkeeper The pages, Robert
Vaughan, Jesse Shultz. John J.. Hurt and
offered by Senator Harmon, OF Richmond.
Informes the House.
The House OF Delegates was officially
informed that the Senate was organized
and ready TO proceed TO business. a res
olution offered by Judge Mann. was
adopted. providing for n committee of
eight, five from the House and three
from the Senate. 10 notify the Governor
Of Virginia that the General Assembly
was in session and ready to receive any
communication he might desire TO make.
The senators were then lat ease for
n half hour. awaiting the organization
of the House, which was finally reported
with resolution naming a committee
of twelve, Instead OF eight, 10 wait upon
the Governor, The Senate promptly con
Cured In this resolution. and Senator Kee-
zel set out 10 inform the House. In the
corridor he met the messenger from the
other side, who announced that tho lIonso
rad Just concurred IN the SENATE rcso-
lution, The big man from Rockingham
retreated, and the Senate reconsidcred
us concurrence and laid the House reso-
luton on the table The chair appointed
Senators Mann, Sims ana Lincoln to act
ior the Senate on the joint committee
he three members retired. Senator Mann
returning shortly with the announcement
that the Executive would communicate
-