The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-02-16
THE SENATE,
Mann Law Petitions Fell Thick
and East in the Senate

AFTER the usual preliminaries consum-
ing about fifteen minutes the Senate
got down to business and proceeded with
the calendar. Several important com
inlttee reports were received and a num-
Der OF new bills were offered. Mann
va" petitions came In greater flood
than ever. Many of the senator's held
a sheaf OF them In their hands miro .'
ducing as many as eight or ten Mt n
time. Judge Mann himself presented
two. Among the special petitions fct
the day were one from the local chan
ter OF the Daughters of the Confederacy
relating to the care of the priceless Con-
federate flags now In the possession OF
the State. and one from the Negro De-
velopment and Exposition Company of
America relating to the appropriation
for the jamestown Exposition. The
Senate took up the joint resolution lin
ting the introduction of bills after Feb
ruary 25th. and. after SOME hesitation.
concurred In the House amendments an
parently on the principle that half a
loaf is better than no bread.
BY vote of % to Q the Strobe bill
permitting. the review by the Court OF
Appeals of the action OF trial Judge
who places n plaintiff on terms was
passed. After brief speech from Major
Rison, Of Pittsylvania. calling attention
to the vast and undeveloped mineral
wealth of Virginia. the Senate then
passed the bill establishing a State geo.
logical and economic survey at the Vir-
ginia Polytechnic Institute. In the alb
sence of Mr. Thomas. of I.ynchburg,
request was made by Mr.. sadler, OF
Powhatan. for the continuance OF the
Thomas tax commission bill as a spe-
cial order until February goth. Objec-
ton was Mt once made. Mr.. Keezell. OF
Rockingham, declared that II the Sen
ate wasted any more time on ncemedic
discussions where there were so many
important bills to be considered and
passed upon In so brief time. 1t would
be held accountable by tho people OF
Virginia The I.ynch15urg senator had
himself stated that he expected no favor
able action by the Senate, and he had
been given full opportunity to make his
appeal to the people Of the State. Mr..
Reezell thought the tax bill should be
passed by and offered substitute mo-
ton to this effect. which motion, after
some further discussion. In the course
Of which it was declared that the action
would be unfair to the absent senator,
prevailed by vote of 20 to 8.
In Favor of Improvement.
( Consideration Of the Patteson bill re-
lating to demurrers to evidence was re-
sumed. The debate was opened by
Judge Sims, OF Louisa. who opposed the
abolition Of demurrers, but agreed that
the demurrer system could and should
be improved. The Louisa senator indi-
Gated that he would at the proper time
propose an amendment. Several other
amendments We're offered and a parla-
mentary tangle ensued.
As soon as the ground was cleared
again Mr. Sears Of Mathews began to
speak in favor OF the Patteson bill. di-
recting particular attentiAl to the rea-
sonableness of requirement that the,
party rendering the demurrer to evidence
shall state In writing specifically the
facts upon which he relies to sustain hts.
contention, that the demurrer shall be
forced to join in the demurrer on no other
ground and that no facts shall be con-
sidercd other than those SO admitted In.
defining this position, he quoted from sew
eral court decisions, including one handed
down by Mr.. Justice Story and concurred
in by Chief Justice Marshall.
The opposition was led by Judge PILE
gar, of Montgomery, who made Y clear
and concise statement in the midst OF
many Interruptions. Captain Patteson,i
patron of the measure. also spoke again
Tho debate. referring to abstract legal
problems, was oneo ( the most important
and. after an Insight had been obtained
into the situation, one toftthe most In
teresting of the session. The result wasj
what neither extreme side desired, with