The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-23
HERE AND THERE
IN LEGISLATURE
Senator Keezell Replies to Those
Who Wanted to Get Normal
School.
PILOT BILL is DISCUSSED
Committee Will Meet on Mon
day to Pass Finally on I'm
portant Measure.
PILOT BILL is DISCUSSED

In discussing last night the passage
of the new normal school bill through
the Senate. Hon. George 3. Keezeli
OF Rockingham, said:
II see Delegate Goodrich seems to
think / have not given the other places
than Harrisonburg fair deal on the
Senate side in the normal school legis-
lation, and complains because did
not favor the proposition that the SEN
ate should abrogate It's prerogatives
as coordinate and equal branch of
the General Assembly. so that its 40
members, which, under the Constitu-
ton, have the same legislative power
that the 100 members of the House
have, should. contrary to all precedent,
go into a Joint session. in which each
member should have the same vote.
and when 1t would be possible for the
House, with its 100 members, by a
vote of II OF its members to direct
The policy OF the General Assembly,
though the Senate might be unanimous
npainst such policy and have with II
the other 90 OF the House members.
IT this principle We're granted when
ever the House demanded II, it could
call a joint session and dictate just
such legislation as 1t wished, and the
value of our dual system. recognized IN
the Federal Constitution, and by every
one OF the States OF the Union. would
be destroyed. This bill has been sub
ject to the regular routine prescribed
for every measure introduced in either
body.
TT was heard after due notice, ana
the Finance Committees of both ooales
and the Committee on Schools and COL
- az the Committee
on Public Institutions and Education
of the Senate heard all of the rival 10
calities at meeting held in the SEN
ate chamber, where they sat Jointly to
expedite and facilitate the hearing,
though no one ever conceived OF any
joint action at any stage.
More than week after this hear
ing, at special meeting of the COM
mittee. sitting for this purpose, the
Committee on Public Institutions and
Education OF the Senate took UP the
various bills and reported in favor OF
Harrisonburg. All of the bills were
reported to the Senate with the re-
quest that they be referred to the Com
mittee on Finance. From that COM
mittee the Harrisonburg bill was re-
ported without recommendation, on
my own motion. with the understand
ing that any other locality should have
an opportunity to test it's strength in
an, effort to amend or substitute the
bill. I had 1t set for special order
almost week ahead. so as to give
ample time for all parties to be heard.
81 knew Of no proposition to change
the regular order In considering this
bill until 1t had been reached on the
calendar. and when a motion was made
to pass 1t by, by those who did not ia.
yor HarriSOnburg, this motion pre-
vailed on the first day. It's reasons be-
the House for joint session came over
the next morning. When the bill was
reached again on the calendar next day
another motion was made to pass by,
and in opposing this motion I insisted
upon a fight in the OPEN to which
the delegate from Fredericksburg
seems to take exception.
"All ! asked was for an opportunity
to be heard and have my bill treated
like every other bill, saying If 1t were
defeated I had no complaint to make
and would be found supporting the sue
cessful place. The Senate gave me q
hearing. l have no complaint to make
OF any one for doing all he can to adj
vance the interests of his favorite place
and hope others may take tho same
view of 1t that ! do, that the estab'
lshment of this school at suitable
place with reference to fuller devel,
opment of Statewide normal instruc,
ton Is more important to our public
school development, than what particu.
lar place may secure the location now
and that all will join hands to secure
4 Its establishment, I hardly think the
people OF Virginia will indorae tho i'm,
pl1aA aiaaRaztinn at least. that because