The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-02-18
THE HOUSE.
Byrd Resolution to Investigate
Corporation Commission Passes

Nearly all of the time of the House was
consumed in discussion of the Byrd res
olution to investigate the State Corpora
ton Commission and the Senate bill to
clip the wings of the land grabbers. Both
were passed.
A bill of considerable local interest was
introduced by w. w. Baker, and lis II
bill ITO provide for the construction OF
storage warehouse for property belong
Ing to the State. to acquire site for
same and to appropriate money for the
purpose"
The bill provides for the purchase OF
the old Davis House, Mt the corner OF
Governor and Franklin Streets at cost
not to exceed $4,000. II the property
| cannot be obtained for the price named,
| then tho storage house shall be built on
the property belonging to the State, Just
north Of the heat, power and light plant.
| fronting on Governor Street.
| Mr.. Massie made another effort TO get
| hts Torrens system bill In position on
the calendar for early action, and again
failed. 1t Is plain that the bill is not
popular with the rural members.
House Proceedings.
The House was called to order by
| Sneaker Cardwell at noon. and was
| opened with, prayer, by Rev. T.. j. Haley.
the only ministerial member of the body.
1 Messrs Lee and Churchnlan handed in
| patches of petitions from their constit-
| uents, praying for the passage OF the
1 stricter Mann liquor law.
Mr.. Williams, of Gles, submitted tho
report of the Committee on Schools and
Colleges concerning additional normal
schools for the education OF female teach
efs. The report says 1t Is the sense or
/ the committee that three normal schools.
Il a., ,d1;tinp to sfha one nOty in ODerattOns
/ at Farmville, shall be established. and
that the sum OF $4,000 be appropriated
1 for the purpose, II the Committed on
j Finance shall be OF the opinion that the
4 financial condition Of the State IS such
as to Justify such appropriation ut the
present tinlo. The report was referred
| to the Finance Committee.
Mr. Byrd called up his resolution to
! appoint a special committee to inyesti-
4 gate the State Corporation Commission.
Mr.. Lowry offered m amendment that
i tho commissioners be called upon to state
q to the House why they dismissed from
the service of the commission Mcssrs.
4 Lanier and Tyler.
4 Mr.. Doyd spoke against the amendment
\ and characterized 1t as an effort to sup-
A press the investigation. a cloud OF sus-
4 nic!on, said lie, hangs about tho comn.is-
4 sion. IL thore has hocn no wrong-doins
4 an Investigation will hurt no one, hut will
II rcmoye the cloud or suspicion. II there
4 has been wrong doing the people OF Vtr-
i ginia SHOULD know all about 1t and this
q legislature should know all about 1t to
4 tho end that 1t may pass laws TO remedy
4 the OWL and prevent the rising of future
n clouds of suspicion.
u In replying, Mr.. Lowry said tho reso-
4 luton to Investigates assumes without
4 Knowledge that there has been wrong
doing. Before acting on na,pera assu,hr-
j ton the House should give tho CONS
j mssloners n chance TO explain in writ
4 ing, Such explanation might be sufficient
to, remove the clouds. In which event an