Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1906-02-15
THE LEGISLATURE.
SENATE.

ported IL lafOlhOiy yeoeN'-J
sage seems certain.
The Senate spent more than an hour
and halfin discussing the bill to create
a State tax commission. The bill was
presented BY Senator Thomas, at the be-
ginning of the session. The bill creates
commission OF three, to be chosen oy
the general assembly, which commission
is to be charged with the duty OF exam
inipg The methods of taxation and TO re-
port such plans as may commend tnem-
selves tor report. The commission IS 70
perform the same functions as the olate
Board of Equalization does In NUMBER
of States.
Senator Fulton offered resolution
that the future meetings of the committee
appointed toinvestigaie the fitness OF Eu
gene II. Cloves, an sppointee OF Governor
Montague, TO be q member oil the BOARD
of directors OF the Eastern state hos
pital at williamsburg, which appoint
ment was held up in the Senate, be
opened to the public. Senator Thomas,
chairman of the committee, stated that
he was perfectly willing to do so and
said the committee would like to be re-
lieved of the requirement to hold secret
sessions. Senator Anderson, of Rich
mond. also advocated holding open meet
ings. The proposition was opposed by
Senators KeezelI and Machen. and, up
on the suggestion of Senator Thomas. it
went over.
The resolution will probably be ADOPT
ed and the future sessions OF the COM
mittee be held openly, allowing the tes-
timony to be made public. The evil
dence in the case is being typewriter
for the committee, and it will be pre-
sented to the Senate in executive session.
The Senate committee on public
institutions and education fav0rably
reported the bill offered by Senator
Mann appropriating $50, 900 for the aid
OF the high schools in the State.
The committee also fayorably reported
the recommendation of the special COM
mittee appointed by the last legislature
for the establishment of three additional
normal schools, and an appropriation OF
| RlDO,UOV iOI lutiI titOAiph ohN Nf"B
ment. The question of sites Tor the new
schools was left open.
The senate committee on privileges
and elections reported adversely the bill
TO legalize primary elections and to make
them subject TO the laws governing gen.
eral elections, and to provide for the
payment of expenses OF primaries.
The bill was the first enc offered in the
senate at this session, aud was presented
by Senator Thomas, of Lynchburg.
This action of the committee probably
dispOses of the legalized primary for this
session.
HOUSE.
Mr.. Glenn introduced resolution
which prohibits a renewal of the States
contract with the Davis Shoe Company
and makes convict labor under contract
with individuals, firms or corporations
illegal.
An appropriation of So, 900 for the
purchase of silver service for the
United States batteship Virginia is
asked in bill introduced by Mr.. Lion.
The bill designates as a commission to
purchase the token aud have charge OF
the arrangements for the presentation
the Governor, the President of the Sen
: ate, Speaker OF the House and four
ladies.
= The Onlg measure passed in the House
was Senate bill to provide for the tran
silion of municipalities from the grade of
cities of the second class to the grade of
cities of the first class.
Senator Thomas 5. Martin, who was
in Richmond for the first time since his
re. election to the Senate by the legisla-
ture, in response to joint resolution, adj
dressed the General Assembly. He was
given hearty reception when he enter
/ ed the hall of the House He was in
trodu ced by n. B. Early. The Senator
declared for government by the people,
and contradicted thu often made asper-
, sion that the legislature was given TO
hasty legislation. He declared if the
Virginia legislature was open 20 criti-
cism, il was as an ulira-conservatiye
body.
The House committee on finance has
amended the bill which provides that
Gov. Montague, Col. George Wayne
| Anderson, aud former Legsat)r
! S. l.. Kelley receive 1000 each Tor
their services as resident members of
the Capitol building commission. AS
to the governor, the point was rails
ed that it was unconstitutional for
him TO receive any compensation
whatsoever, while the pay for the other
two members was trimmed down to 5000
each. Since the action was taken Col.
Anderson las written Senator Wickham
and Col. Bowman, chairman of the
house finance committee, and asked that
his name be stri, ken from the bill. Mr..
Kelley has made no such request, and as
for Gov. Montague, it appears that his
name was inserted in the proposed APP
preparation measure without his knowl
edge or consent However, he also has
asked that his name be stricken from
the bill.
The impression in legislative circles
yesterday was that there would be no in
vestigstion of the Corporation Commits
sion. No one seems to know what the
charges are against the commission.
The report that bill was already pre-
pared aud would be introduced yester-
day could not be verified. Not men,
Der of either BODY could be found who is
likely to take up the investigation.
At a session held last night, the Sen