The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-02-21
Senator Thomas Objects
to Senator WiCkhdm'S
Reference to film.
TAX MEASURE is
BADLY DEFEATED
Exceedingly Interesting Debate
Over Proposed Sweeping Re
form, and the Patron, Mr.. =
Thomas, Is Game to the
Last-Many Join in
t. = Discussion. -

After a game fight, enlivened by one
stirring incident and a half-dozen 9TH
ers, minor, but still decidedly Interesting,
Mr.. Thomas, OF Lynchburg. yesterday
met defeat on the floor or the Senate
at the hands of a powerful opposition
launched in the early stages of the seq
sion against his bill looking through the
creation of an investigating commission,
TO sweeping reforms in the Virginia
tax system with more particular refer
ence to the share OF the puslic burden
borne by railroads and other public ser
vice corporations.
For nearly two hours the upper branch
was engaged again in a debate OF the
various phases of this vexatious tax prob
lem. the one side assailing present meth
DDS and demanding immediate reforms,
the other defending tho existing law and
Its makers and executors or at least con-
tending that the time was not ripe for u
change. The discussion was nearing the
end when Mr.. Wickham. of Hanover,
chairman pf the Finance Committee,
which reported the bill adversely, arose
to speak for that committee and Incl
dentally to refer to a matter which Is
indeed one OF the remarkable facts in
connection with the present General As
sembly-a general assault upon govern
mental institutions from the judiciary.
through the State Corporation Commits.
sion to the Constitutional Convention It
self. 1t was at this point. while the Han
over Senator was making pointed refer
ence to the "iconoclasm' OF certain of
his colleagues that the incident men,
toned occurred.
Elimination of Graft"
Il have with growing wonderment.'
said Mr.. Wickham In effect. NOTED
certain happenings on the floor
of this Senate within. the past
few days. IT seems that We have,
reached stage wiier r.othiug Is sacred
from the iconclasm OF the Senators.
First the Judiciary OF Virginia, than
whom there are no more high or honor
able men. was assailed. Next we have
had a savage attack upon the Corporation
Commission by the Senator from Lynch-
burg. and finally within the last few
moments the Senator from buckingham
has made an assault upon the Constitu-
tional Convention Itself. that body COM
posed of the ablest and most upright
minds of this Commonwealth. The clear
intimation OF all OF this. gentlemen. is
that there is nothing from which the
polluting hand of graft is exempt. I don't
believe IT. I don't believe single one OF
these charges and 7 am standing here
.
now to tell you SO"
Proceeding Mr.. Wickhan pointed out
that the Constitutional Convention had
arranged tax system rs to public SER
vice corporations that cannot he changed
before 1919. In less than two years after
the convention the charge was being
made that the system was already rot
ten to the cores At all events the con-
stitution was plain and the Corporation
Commission. even II II desired, and the
General Assembly. sven II 1t ordered.
could not altor the system until seven
years have passed. This In the opinion
OF the Hanover Senator removed the
Corporation Commission from the eau;l-
ion.
And now" he began. that have
eliminated the Corporation Commission
from the angs of the Senator from
Lynchburg
The cheerful smile. which is one OF
tho distinguished marks of the Senator
from Lynchburg. had departed as he
arose slowly from his seat.
..Mr. President" he said. cutting Mr.
Wickham Off In the middle OF his sem
tence. "I arise to a question Of personal
privilege. I have no objection tondlscuss-
ing matter with gentleman. but
do object to such language as this.
''I do not think that the Senator from
I.ynchburg has reasonable ground for
objection interposed Mr.. Wickham. 81
think I am within the parliamentary
bounds 7, of course, meant nothing Of.
fensive.''
IT object to being called a snake with
fangs," replied Mr.. Thomas. hluntly.
II did not call the Senator from Camp
hell a snake" said Mr.. Wickham. 81
reforred to him as II in pursuit of his
prey
..I am not an animal. pursuing prey
either" retorted the Lynchburger.
2"I meant, OF course, human animal, Il
continued Mr.. Wickhan. There are
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