The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-03-08

osIty and hiiariiy- The sup
position that the appropriation
bill would be finally dealt with in the
night session and that the Assembly, to
all intcnts and purposes would break
up as soon as hat measure was passed.
caused botlI houses to work diligently
and at the same time injected species
OF decentralization into the whole Legis-
laturc Contrary to expectation, the
conferees upon the appropriation bill
presented their report l..te In the after
noon. Remarkable harmony and quick
adjustment of differences characterized
the work of the committees of confcr-
ence. Perhaps the uncertainty of hav-
ing a quorum on Monday spurrcd them
to prompt action. AT any rate, an
agreement was reached much nj, re
readily than is usual In the case of this
bill.
For some reason the conference re-
port was not brought up In tho House.
In the Senate. however, 1t provoked an
animated discussion and aroused Wig
orous opposition.
Many Hills Passed.
Both houses passed large number
of bills. most of them of local and cir
cumscribed effect, and defeated 9TH
cd by with a small number of objec-
tions prevented the consideration of Il
bill--in the Senate, three and in the
House ten. The result was that many
We're passed by. which meant good by
TO them.
The Senate passed the House bill for
the erection of monument at Gettys-
burg 10 the Virginians who pcrished
on that field. Especial credit is due
to Colonel Thomas Smith, of FauquiSr,
for his energy and zeal in securing the
passage of this measure. in which the
entire State was interested to an un-
usual degree.
The House. by a close vote, killed
the oyster bill. which, to some extent.
provided for the breaking of the Bay
Tor survey. 1t liad passed the Senate
by an almost unanimous vote but in
the lower branch encountered strong
opposition. The Tidewater members
divided upon it,, and so did those from
other sections. OfSthe two patrons of
the House bill, which was identical.
with the Senate bill. one, opposed its
passage and the other was absent.
Z There seemed to be a plentiful lack Of
information among the members gem
orally, as to the provisions of the bill.
as Wen as regarding the subject with
which II dealt The astonishing con-
trarHty OF opinion among the supposed
oyster experts ~onfused tho rest OF
the House, who appeared to vote some
what at hap hazard, and changed their
votes backward and forward. There
was majority OF one against the BILL.
which lacked eight votes Of the num-
Dor necessary to pass 1t. |5'
Officers HonOrc,I.
Part or the morning session Of the
House was devoted to the presentation,
Of tokens to NJ he Speaker and thescler;x.
and to gridiron production Of decided
cleverness The Speaker was tho re-
ciplent5of Il handsome silver owing cup,
which was presented, on behalf of the
members, by the delegate from Bruins.
wick In q brief lut impressive speech
The Speaker replied in a graceful aud
finished speech complimenting the body
upon It's faithful and patriotic work.
and generously according to the mi
norlty their full share OF the praise,
Tho Delegate from Gloucester, in
hapny vein. presented the gift of the
body, an elegant berry bolw to the
clerk of the House for his long and
excellent service. and that gentleman
responded feelingly. UndoubtedlS, both
officials richly deserved these remem-
brances for the efficient work which
has contributed to make the present
House of Delegates the most ndustri-
pus Of any in recent years,
Tho humorous compositions read by
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