The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-02-09

ton OF the historic old bell tower In the
Capitol Square and the suggested removal
OF the ancient iron fence enclosing the
grounds was filed at the session yesterday
by Mr.. Fl. T. Wickham. of Hanover. The
petition is signed by Mrs. William Ruff
fin Cox. president, and Mrs. l.. r. Da-
shell. secretary. Of the Colonial Danes,
and represents the members of that body
and the women of Virginia generally.
Not only do the Colonial Danes not
want the fence removed, but they go
farther, and In the petition expressly
ask that the old iron gates be restored.
In referring to the fence. the petition
ipakes this rather striking plea:
That 1T is the general opinion of all
persons of taste that the fence. which &
for many years has surrounded the
Capitol Square, Is an adornment to
that park. and so far from being out of
place around the public ground. resem-
bes closely the fence with which the
cultured and artistic city of Boston
surrounds it's much beloved common
Tie House Committee on Roads has fa-
vorably reported the Lassiter-Withcrs
road bill, which has passed the Senate.
Tile General Laws Committee of tho
lower branch. The bill will come up In
a few days and will likely pass. The par
ticuar measure mentioned creates Il
State highway commission. but there are
several companion bills yet In the SEN
ate. the passage OF which are necessary
to make the law effective. These will be
pressed with all reasonable speed In both
branches.
and 1t is now on the calendar In the
House. held an executive session last
night to consider the Cation bill, Great
ing Bureau of insurance. but no final
action was taken.
The bill is voluminous document, and
contains nInety-five pages of printed mat
ter. Already nearly two hundred amend
ments have been suggested, and merry
fight is expected over the final passage
OF the measure, when 1t comes up in
the two Houses.
Honorable Granville r. Swift. OF Fred
erieksburg, offered in the House yester-
day sweeping anti-trust BILL which
seeks to prevent all combinations relat-
ing to trade and commerce in the State.
1t is aimed largely at the American
Tobacco Company and other big con-
Germs operating in Virginia, and is in many
respects similar to antitrust measures
heretofore offered in the Legislature and
u.
burg" will make a determined fight for
the passage of his bill.
The bill providing for the consolida-
ton of cities and towns, will have a hear
ing before a joint meeting of the House
and Senate committees on counties, cities
and towns at 8 o'clock tonight in the
ball of the House of Delegates.
A large number of prominent people
will be heard on both sides.
AS guests of Mr.. Fred Jurgens, about
twenty-five legislators took an automo-
bile spin Wednesday afternoon. going 70
Lakeside Club and returning. There were
six machines in the party. One was
that o: ai,. Jurgens, another that OF
Mr. Jonathan Bryan, while Messrs A.
r. Holiday and I. Emmett seaton had
theirs in service. The party was a
most congenial one. and all who went
seemed to enjoy the trip.
Hon. A. B. Thornhill. OF Appomattox,
Wednesday offered in the House bill
Ia create the position of State oil In
spector and to define its duties and
powers.
The bill is similar to that offered some
years ago by Mr.. Duke, of Charlottes-
vile.
The House Committee on Finance We'll
nesday favorably reported the bill offered
by Or. r. L. Powell, of Brunswick, to
relieve physicians of license taxes.
The present law Imposes a State
license tax OF SEQ on medical doctors.