The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-25
FOLKES MINING TAX
BILL MEETS DEATH.
Step Taken Toward Prompt Set
tlement OF Freight Claims by
Railroads-Increasc in Fees
ter County Offices.
Many Matters
Considered.
BY LEWIS II. MAcHEN.
proceedings at the Capitol
yesterday were somewhat mo-
notonous, from the viewpoint


uotonous, from the viewpoint
Il OF an onlookcr.
The Blackstone investigation
was nearly wound up, so Tar as the
testimony was concerned. as the de-
Tense after having introduced num-
ber of witnesses, announced that ~
rested. The witnesses heard yesterday
followed the exact line of the testi-
mony for the defense given SATURDAY
The evidence was mainly cumulative
and brought out nothing new that was
important. The Judges friends are
Etanding by him in numbers. and per-
hrps il the case were submitted to
,'es.o os tie assembled witnesses who
have testified. he would win. IT is not
thought generally. however. that all
Of his alleged moral delinquencies have
been satisfactorily disproven. In fact,
his own admission upon one point VIII
be regarded as conclusive by many.
lie has not taken the stand in his own
behalf. and that fact will lead others
to believe that he might not have come
prospcrously through cross-examina-
tion. Two or three rebuttal witnesses
will nc introduced by the prosecution,
and then will come the argument. The
committee will probably have the whole
matter before 1t by tonight, and IL Is
not thought II .w.ll lose much time
formulating conclusions.
The House. in acting upon the re-
port. Will have several courses open
TO H. all of which have been heretofore
explained No doubt. considerable di-
,ersity OF opinion Will develop. both in
the committee and in the House, and
The probable action of each Is merely
roniectural at this time.
Important Bills.
The Senate yesterday passed some
bills of considerable Importance to
sheriffs, sergeants.l jailers and attor-
neys for tho Commonwealth. inasmuch
as they increase the fees of those off,
GERS. They do not, to the same extent.
however. interest the general public.
The average man wants the officers
of his county or city to have all the
pay they can get from the State. and
is willing to leave the State and the
officers to fight out the question of
what is and what Is not reasonable
allowance.
a bill providing for the prompt set
tlement of freight claims was also
passed by the Senate. Sixty days is
permitted from time of application in
cases of intrastate shipments. and
ninety days in cases OF interstate ship
ments. The penalty of SIS goes to the
shipper. Undoubtedly there may be
but II is certain that there are great
abuses on the part of some railroads
under the present system. Shippers
have had their patience exhausted by
unnecessary and intentional delays, and
thus more fuel is added to the flame of
prejudice against railroads. of which
they so bitterly complain. Promptncss
and fair dealing in settling claims of
ALI kinds would do much to bring about
an era of good feeling. so much to be
desired, between the railroads and the
people.
Politics and Schools.
Besides killing the Folkes mining
tax bill, the Senate did another sig
nificant thing yesterday when it passed
the bill for better pay and larger ter
ritory for division superintendent of
schools. It is understood that the su-
perintcndents will not be disturbed
during their present terms.
If the bill becomes a law the SUI
perintendents hereafter chosen may be
required to give their entire time and
attention to their school work. 1t is
engaged in occupations not wholly con-
sistent with the efficient performance
Of their school duties The law now
prohibits their active participation in
rantly disregarded in some cases. as
was plainly shown to the committee
which considered this bill.
Politicians are everywhere and 1t
may be impossible to keep them out
of the schools. but 1t would seem that
the peanut variety ought to have. some
other Jobs than supervising the educa-
ton of youth.
The House passed the military bill
multiplying the present levy for the
militia by three. The bill, having al
ready passed the Senate. now goes to
the Governor, Another matter of wide
Interest and of deep Significance. name
ly the bill reorganizing the board OF
health, especially with a view to pre-
ticular emphasis upon tuberculosis
was taken UP In the House yesterday
The vote will be had upon 1t to-day
Few things cause as great destruc-
and other old plaques are almost harm.
less in comparison. The number of
preventable and durable cases, whcl
arc neither prevented nor cured, is d
attention. For a State to let itsEciti-
sens, die when they might be saved is
tragedy Which has tho appearance
Of crinlo.
Appropriation bills.
Tho appropriation bills Will be com.
talk about them. and othor or measures
will be sacrificed 10 the work OF dis
eributtng the root of all cNil.'E
The, House OF Delegates has cleare,
It's calendar OF all Senate bills, and 4,
pushing It's own work along admrp
least, viii be saved save from ~ fhe ,'' wrecl WI Il
which IS Inevitable onS the closing da,
Tile meeting Of tho two houses o
tho General Assembly to hear the re
port in tho Rhea lnvestlgation vii
he the piece de resistance OF the day
perforn';a!nce The Joint resolution gov
b bly, did not provide for an executive
session, and therefore 1T lis assume,
that the galleries Will be- open to tn
public and 1t is safe to predict th,l
they will be crowded, 1T is know