The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-01-16

The liquor question Is about to bob up
In the Legislature, and when 1t arises, 1t
will be many sided as It always is. 1t is
understood upon what appears to be good
authority that the Anti Saloon League
will undertake to get through bill
bringing the dispensarles now in opera
ton, and those hereafter to be establish
ed within the purview of the Mann bill.
and putting them on the same footing
with bar-rooms in the country districts.
1t Is not known who will offer this pro-
posed legislation. but 1t is not unlikely
that 1t will be fathered by Judge Mann,
who engineered through the last Legls-
lature, the bill that bears his name. Such
a measure will create q great fight. as 1t
is understood the existing dispensaries
are being operated in n most satisfactory
manner. There are now quite n number
OF them in the State, and as rule the
people appear to be satisfied with their
workings.
A further feature of the liquor ques-
ton which Is coming up beyond a reas-
enable doubt, Is that relating to social
clubs, and 1t Is said that some restric-
lions will be placed upon those known as
fakes" and an effort made to guard
against the granting OF charters unless
1t is shown that 1t is proposed to run
bona fide club.
Interest in the Department Of Compar-
alive Legislation is rapidly increasing, so
much SO that certain members OF the GEN.
eral Assembly are now considering the
practicability OF plan for making 1t Il
permanent State institution, that will
serve not only the legislators while they
are here, but be ready at oil times to
assist lawyers physicians, writer's pro-
fessional men generally, or anybody else
desiring special Information or references
upon a given subject. The plan has not
yet been worked out in detail, but 1t Is
| taking shape In the minds OF some mem
bers who have found the department to
| be of valuable aid already, and II the
proposition is feasible. q bill making an
appropriation will likely be offered.
| A number of interesting inquiries were
made yesterday OF the department, indi-
eating tho drift of probable legislation to
| come. These queries referred to num-
Der of different matters. There will be
a demand for the school and road laws
/ of other States, and the interest In the
| Torrens system of land registration, over
which there is certain to be fight. has
been so great that the department has
issued a booklet giving extensive refer
ences upon the subject Yesterday tho In
quiries took n wider range. Some OF them
are given hero, rs indicating the posi-
bility OF touching these subjects:
What are tho State laws concerning the
fencing OF railroads?
What States have q permanent place
| for the execution Of felons2
What is tho income OF tho State for
the past fiscal year under the franchise
statute?
| What disposition do tho different States
make Of their reports, and on what basis?
| The department Is already hard pushed
and the work will steadily increase as the
session proceeds The funds at the dis
posal of the state Library for use in this
department are Very limited. and tho
force which can be detailed for service Is
necessarily small. 1t consists at present
Of the librarian or his assistant and one
stenographer.
investigation Of conditions at the Vir-
ginla Military Institute and tho Virginia
Polytechnic Institute. with more particu-
lar reference to recent developments at
both schools, will probably be made by
the General Assembly at this session.
AS stated heretofore, the resolution of
General Charles j. Anderson, of this city,
offered in the Senate fow days ago,
does not In any way concern these mat
tiers beyond the fact that the two instl-
| tuttS uiG iHNluued III the llStIOI StQte
schools to be inspected under long
standing custom. But n new resolution
bearing Immediately upon the matter
will be offered shortly in the Senate or
the House. 1t Is understood that Senator
Chapman, of Greene is leading the move.
ment, and that he will ask for thorough
investigation. The State, he says, cannot
afford to oondone mismanngement on tht
part OF officials of the schools or mis-
representations on the part, OF the stu
dents. If there has been neither mis-
management nor Misrepresentation, TIL,
investigation will only serve to make this
fact plain to the public.
Hon, Harry O., Glenn. of Richmond
will offer three bills In the House to.
day, One will amend the law In relation
to the Attendance fees of policemen n.
Witnesses by adding the following.
Such policeman shall not receive nm,
fee MS witness In any case arising
under the ordinances OF said city q
town; nor for attendance as n witnes.
before any police Justice or Justice o
4 ltihe peace In his city oratnwn" ,..if, - I.
Anothtr Hill will r,,,o,,tIi. IN. ~ !.