The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-03-03
HOUSE PROCEEDINGS
Body Refers Resolution to Ex-
tend Session for Thirty DAYS.

speaker SaruWell CdlleO THO HOUSE 10
order at Ii o'clock and prayer was offered
by Hon. j. l.. Haley, the Delegate from
Louisa.
The first matter that provoked dIscus-
sion was the Joint resolution offered by
Mr.. Curlett to extend the session for thir-
~ days after It's expiration by constitu-
tlonal Limitation. Tho member from Ian
caster mnde an able argument In favor
OF tho resolution, but It's final passa &c
was forcstalled by Mr.. Cation, who moved
that 1t be referred TO the Committee on
Rules. There Was no roll-call. but upon
rising vote the resolution WAS referred
by vote OF 81 to "a.
House bill No. go, providing that there
shall be no rcdistrictng OF cities into
wards for five years. except by three
fourths vote OF councils, came up Mt 1905
p. M. and the patron, Mr.. Fuller. called
the pending question. HIS colleague, Mr..
Massie, had secured the eye OF the chair
In the meantime, however, and he made
powerful argument against the bill.
In the very outset, Mr.. Massie and Mr..
Puler became involved in warm con-
troversy, the former propounding some
questions to the latter which provoked
sharp debate.
Asked Some Questions.
II desire to ask my colleague" said
Mr.. Masse, az he drew this bill in all
tits details?"
II am the patron" was the reply. and
am responsible for the rneasure.'
THAT doesn't answer my question"
rejoned Mr.. Massie, but wish to know
from the gentleman II the bill was not
offered for special purpose. and to
meet conditions in a certain city?
Mr.. Fuller. replied warmly that he had
had no conference with any ono on the
question and, that the bill was OF his
own making"
Mr.. MassIe proceeded and his further
argument wns a VIGOROUS excohation
OF the measure.
II am here sir he said. In most
animated voice. ito represent the people
of my city. and in part the people OF my
State. I shall not permit this indignity to
be put upon them without entering my
Solemn protest."
II care nothing. Mr.. Speaker, for fac
tons which may exist In my party;
am here to represent the whole people,
and intend to do 1t to the best OF my
ability while am upon this floor"
Mr.. Barrett wished to recommit the
bill. but his motion was lost, and the
bill passed, ayes. 49, noes. H.
Mr.. Bland Explains.
Mr. Bland. of Portsmouth, rising to
question Of privilege. referred to the fol-
lowing resolution, adopted by the coun-
ellis of hfs city:
Whereas. the Council in Joint meet
ing assembled, on the 18th day of Feb
ruary. 1906 unanimously adopted
charter for the city of Portsmouth.
which was then fully read and con-
sidered; and
Whereas, the Council. so assembled,
recognizing the right as fundamen-
tai principle Of our government, guar
anteed by the Constitution, to assem-
BILE and petition the government for
| redress of grievances, requested our
representative In the House of Dele
gates. Hon. Charles T. Bland. to pre-
sent the said charter to that body for
adoption; and
Whereas, the said representative,
because of matters therein contained,
which he did not approve. positively
refused to present the charter. and
the Council was prevented thereby
from having hearing before a COM
mittee of the House OF Delegates with
reference to the same; now, therefore,
We. the Councils OF the city of
Portsmouth. in joint session assem-
bled, on this. the first day of March.
1905, do protest against and condemn
the action of Delegate Charles T.
Bland for his refusal to present the
said charter and for reserving to
himself the prerogative to deny to this
body the sacred right of petition. un-
less such petition should. in all re-
spects. meet with his approval. ~,
Resolved, That the clerk of these
Councils be directed to forward forth
with copies OF this resolution to the
president OF the Senate and Speaker of
the House of Delegates. with the re-
quest that they have the same read
to their respective bodies.
(signed &c. H. TABB.
wv. W. PERKINS.
~. II. HALL,
Jos. s. MOORE