The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-01-17
THE SENATE.
Full Attendance and Busy Ses-
sion-Vote for Judges Too Soon.


sion-Vote for Judges Too Soon.
Prompt attendance of members again
facilitated the work of the Senate, the
session beginning promptly Mt noon with
nearly every scat filled. and with n num-
Der of visitors upon the floor and in the
galleries. The doorkeeper finds great
difficulty In enforcing the 2Sder exclud-
ing the public from tho n |r. To the
great relief of all the new desks and
tables were In place at last, offering
proper conveniences for senator's. The
furniture was much admired.
After the usual preiminaries had been
dispatched, the Senate got down to
business. received II communication from
the Executive announcing recess APP
pointments, and unanimously agreed to
n resolution of Mr.. Keezell. of Rock
ingham. authorizing the clerk to pro-
vida out of the contingent fund such
additional furniture as may be needed.
Upon motion of Mr.. Echols, Of Staunton.
1890 p. NJ. was fixed az tho hour for
the election Of the Supreme Court judges.
To suit the convenience of the House
OF Delegates this time was later ad-
vanced fifteen minutes. y resolution
offered by Mr.. Chapman, of Greene.
called for Joint session of the two
houses at =. NJ. Tuesday OF next
week for the election of a United States
Senator,
Bill Tempered With.
Something of a stir was caused by
Mr.. Thomas. of Lynchburg, who. rising
to a question of personal privilege, In
dicated that a bill he recently offered
had been tempered with and been
printed differently from the way in
which 1T was originally offered, Mr.
Thomas requested an Investigation, and
upon his motion the Committee on
Printing was instructed to look into the
matter.
The bill in question calls for an an
nual appropriation of 100000 for the
maintenance of system of public pri-
mary free schools. AS presented by Mr..
Thomas 1t contained two clauses; as
printed it Included third clause pro-
viding that the bill should be in force
from it's passage.
This clause. which. in the language of
Mr.. Thomas. rtAdered, ..he entire measure
Unconstitutional 'hnd killed it as dead rs
Il door-nail, had been added in lead PEN
Gil to the original copy The LYnchbufg
senator declared sarcastically that he was
always willing to hear and consider
amendments TO his bills, but he claimed
the privilege of accepting or rejectinp
such proposed amendments before they
We're embraced in his measures.
Assessment of Railroads.
Shortly after this incident Mr.. Thomas
again took the floor this time W offer
a joint resolution which will in all like
llhood cause some interesting develop
ments In connection with the taxation Of
the railroad properties in the State Tho
resolution was read and referred to the
proper committee. 1t Is as follows:
Whereas, the Department Of Com.
merce and Labor, Bulletin Fl, page 8,
shows that the commercial value Of
the railway property devoted to trans.
portatlon In Virginia Is s211 ,3t5 900,
and whereas the same bulletin, page
IA, shows that this property Is as
sessed for taxation at se3,26e,623;
therefore, be It.
Resolved, by the Senate OF Virginia
tthe House of Delegates concurrina),
That the Corporation Commission be-,
and the same is hereby, requested to
Inform the Senate why the difference
made to bear it's part OF the public
burdens
Supreme Court Judges.
While the chair was vacated for FIJI
teen minutes, the Democratic caucus
with Judge Mann presiding. held bric
session, receiving and adopting the re
port of the steering committee nom
mating the standing Committees. I'm
mediately thereafter the Senate re