The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-01-28
Salary Bills Passed.

Under a suspension of the rules the two
bills reported from the Finance Commit
tee, increasing the salaries OF the Super-
intendent of Public Instruction and the
Commissioner of Agriculture to $3.50 each
were taken up out of their order and
passed
Judge Mann called attention to the fact
that unless these acts became law before
February LIST they would be OF no value.
Some question had been raised, he said.
las to the constitutionality of the bills
as drawn, but the superintendent of pub
lie instruction was willing to take the
chance. Mr. Chapman said that the at
toitleygeneral had been consulted and
that he had declared the bills uncon-
stitutional.
The attorney-general himself Judge
Mann replied. as we'll as the auditor
of public accounts, Is to-day drawing his
salary under an act precisely the same
as those, he declared, unconstitutional.
Judge Mann said he had examined the
law and while not certain that the bills
were necessarily Unconstitutional, he
thought very serious questions might be
raised.
After both bills had been adopted Mr..
Chapman reported on behalf of the
FINANCE Committee substitute for the
walker bill relating to the salary OF
the State librarian and this bill was also
taken up out of its order and passed
II is n re-enactment in constitutional
form of the entire section concerning the
salaries of the three officials In this
general bill the increase OF tho salary
of the librarian to $500 Is included along
with the other two. The salary Increases
over which there was considerable
tangle, are In this way doubly assured.
If the separate bills are unconstitu-
tional, the general bill will protect the
officials affected; If tho general bill Is
held up In the House, on account of tho
increase In the librarians salary the bill
providing for which has not yet been re-
ported from committee in that body, the
separate bills will still take care of the
superintendent Of instruction and the
commissioner of agriculture.
Mr.. Bottom Elected.
At the hour fixed the Senate proceeded
with the execution OF the Joint order for
the election of superintendent of public
printing. The name OF Mr.. Davis Bottom
was placed before the Senate by Mr.
Harmon, Of Richmond and the nomina-
ton was seconded by General Anderson
also of Riihmond. There being no other
nominations. the unanimous vote OF the
mittees were appointed to canvass the
! vote. and announcement was made to
the effect that Il total OF 80 votes had
been cast In both houses. of which Mr.
Bottom received the entire number He
was thereup0n declared duly elected.
| Motion was made by Mr.. Keezel that
the bill reported by the Finance Commit
| tee to appropriate certain moneys for
tho payment of tho contingent and Incl
dental expenses of tho two houses of the
General Assembly, be taken UP out Of It's
order and passed. as5
rs that bill to Interfere with the cxccu-
| tive session." asked Judge Phlegar
quickly calling attention to his resolu-
4 ton.
| ut is not" replied the Rockingham
senator. Unless this bill Is passed. tho
! wages OF the employees about the Capitol
cannot be paid,
Cant the bill be considered after the
executive session? ~ asked Judge Phlegar.
\ ut can, OF course" sud Mr., Keezell.
''unless tho senate adjonrns, Will not
1.-The senator from Northumberland yield,
lawIth the nndais ding that immediately