The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-01-24
ENATOR cAMM PATTEsoN OF BUCKINGHAM

roads locally at the correct value Tho
question of taxation of public service
corporations In general is yearly becom-
Ing more vital. and much may be done
to put matters on more equitable basis.
1.-THE tax question in general is one
of the most vital and far-reaching, and
there is now in committee a bill to Gre
ate commission whose duty 1t will be
to take up the whole subject and to de-
vote the next two years to It's study and
report TO the next General Assembly the
result OF Its Investigation and give the
General Assembly the benefit of its con-
illusions.
Taxation is science, and 1t should
be considered In the broadcast way"
The committees of the General Assem-
bly, are gradually getting down to real
lions and transact other preliminary
work.
There are number of special orders
pending before various committees, which
will be OF public interest.
The Torrens land registration bill offer
ed by Mr.. Masse. will be discussed be-
fore courts of justice tomorrow morn
Ing at 10 o'clock, and at o'clock to-
morrow evening all the various insurance
bills offered up to this time Will be be-
fore the General Laws Committee in the
hall Of the House.
Saturday, March 3d. at 10 A. NJ, has
been fixed by the same Committee as the
hour for hearing Mr.. Barrett's bill. which
have for their object the regulating Of
the closing of saloons
A conference was held yesterday at
he Mt. batp De-.
lard. members OF the Committee on Ordi-
nances of the city. and the House Com
mittee on Counties, Cities and Towns.
for the purpose of considering the
amendments offered to the city charter.
Tie subjects We're discussed at some
length, but not finally disposed Of
Cne of the amendments Is designed to
prevent the recurrence OF conditions
which arose over the recent Vacancy in
the city treasurers Office, another to
prevent the pollution of James River
water. and the third allowing the city
to construct and own bridges.
Major Sol. Cutchlns representing the
Mayo Bridge Company. opposed the last
amendment, unless 1t should provide that
any bridge constructed by the city should
be 900 feet from the one owned Try his
company.
The committee will take the amend
ments up later in executive session with
the view of petfecting them.
With the recommendation that the mat
ter be referred for action to the Commit
tee on Finance and Banks, the Senate
Committee for Courts of Justice yester-
day made favorable report upon the
Patteson resolution calling for a reform
in the State financial system. This is
one of the most important matters that |
will engage the attention of the General |
Assembly. The resolution directs that the
portion OF the message of Governor Mon \
tague referring to the offices of the first |
and second auditors and the State treas
urer be referred to the committee, with
instructions to draft such legislation as
may be necessary. Favorable report was
made also by the Finance Committee on
the bill providing for the appointment
OF an auditing committee, in accordance
with the terms of the Constitution. The
following other bills We're reported from
the Committee for Courts of Justice:
Senate bill No. $40 amend and re-
enact clauses and SO, chapter 8, OF an
act entitled Fan act concerning corpora
TONS" which became a law without the
Governors signature May 81, 1908, with
amendments.
Senate bill No. 42-To provide of protest
shall evidence, with amendments.
S. B. No. IS: To amend and re-enact |
section $3.50 of the Code OF Virginia In
relation to orders of publication and the
publication of copies Of process and no.
tce, with amendments.
Senate bill No. Z: To amend and re-
enact sections 2eG5 and 2oSs OF the Code
Of Virginia, adversely.
b
by Mr.. Machen, of Alexandria, proposes
constitutional amendment of consider
able Importance. The present Constttu-
ton prohibits the assessment OF any part
Of the cost OF street Improvement upon
ubutting landowners. except for walk
ways and sewers.
Tho object Of the amendment is to al
low any city. whose local conditions may
30 require, to provide in Its charter that
the cost of putting down new streets
may be borne Jointly by the city and
the persons whose property is peculiarly
benefited by the Improvements. The
property owners cannot be taxed for
more than half the cost. They may be |
taxed For less. IL the charter SO pro-
yldes. II any city does not desire to i'm
pose any such tax It's charter may forbid
It, To some cities It Is very important
that the landowners should be reuuired
to contribute specially to street improve
.ment.
The fight for the establishment OF a
separate hospital for the treatment OF
eplleptics In tho State Is on In earnest.
Senator Strobe, of Amherst yesterday
introduced Il bill appropriating $4,000
for the location OF such q hospital on
Amherst Heights. just across the river
from Lynchburg. The location is ideal.