The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-02-11
THE SENATE.
Strobe Bill Discussed With Much
Animation for Hour or More.

After the usual prellminaries, inciid-
ing the presentation OF new bills, reso-
lltions and Mann Law petitions, the
Senate yesterday morning promptly re-
suIned the discussion OF the Strobe bill
providing that the Judgment OF a Circuit
or Corporation Court or other court of
record. IN any action at law, requiring
thP plaintiff TO remit any part of re-
covcry may be the subject of review by
the Supreme Court of Appeals.
The debate was opened by Judge W. H.
Mann. OF Nottoway. chairman of the
Committee for Courts of Justice, which
reported the STROBE bill favorably. The
Nottoway senator has been systematically
opposed to the measure, and In fighting
II on the floor made a strong argument,
declaring that the proposed change not
only imposed a hardship upon the defend
ant and placed undue advantages on the
side of the plaintiff. but revoutionized
great principle of law and reduced the
jurisdiction OF the judges to an apprc-
cable extent.
st seems to be question. declared
Judge Mann. ''of whether or not the
Virginia judges in controlling the verdicts
of iurics dispense justice with an even
hand. My experience in the Virginia
courts has been that the Judges do dis
pense justice with an even hand. 1t has
been argued here BY the senator's In
favor OF this bill that the poor man
does not have a fair chance In the courts.
i want to say right here that 1t is not
the poor man who doesn't have fair
chance. but the rich man II wish to
he successful In case in a Virginia court.
would much rather that represented
n poor man than n rich man. and that I
WAS pleading for an individual and not
corporation.
This bill in effect removes from Judges
the right to place the plaintiff on terms
when the verdict is excessive. 1t cuts
into the Jurisdiction and powers OF the
judges of Virginia and gentlemen when
YOU strike at the judiciary, you strike
a, tho very foundation stones on which
the greatness OF Virginia is based
Several senators followed, including
Mr.. Machen and Mr.. Thomas, favoring
the Strobe bill and in opposition. In
the opinion of Mr.. Thomas, 1t was
question OF securing square DEAF for
everybody before the courts The bill
proposed to furnish direct appeal to
the Supreme Court for the plaintiff from
the decision of the trial judge. reducing
the amount the jury had allowed him.
j tho Judges were to have the right to
review the verdicts of juries, the prtnci-
pies of Justice required that they should
not only have the power to reduce YER
diets when excessive, but to raise them
when Insufficient. Yet not a single case
was on record where Judge had ever
Increased q verdict
They have no power to do so" inter
posed Judge Mann.
Then what sort of law is IT. asked
Mr.. Thomas, which sets the judge of the
court up a perfection OF justice and
then ties his hands so that he can adj
minister Justice in only one direction?
think this bill is in line with the mod
ern spirit to break down the barrier OF
oppression and wrong wherever they may
exist. and ] hope 1t will pass
After over an hours debate the Sem
ate on motion of the patron. again