The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-26
DAY OF EXCITEMENT
AROUND THE CAPITOL
Rhea and Blackstone Star Figures
in Sensational investigations.
House Adopts Health
Measure-Other
Matters Of
Interest.
BY LEWIS II. MACHEN.

r YNVEST1GAT1ONS and liquors were
the matters of greatest interest a,
the Capitol yesterday. The argu-
ments in the Blackstone case were
concluded and the case Is now with
the committee. which Will probably
occupy several days In formulating its
report.
The Joint meeting of the two houses
at night in the hall OF the House OF
Delegates to hear the reports in the
Rhea investigation attracted an i'm
niense crowd, which stayed until mid
night. The two reports were outlined
in yesterdays s-Dtspatch and,
therefore. occasioned no surprise. Both
reports. the majority report especially,
were unnecessarily long, and the read
ing of them somewhat took the edge
off of the expectancy of the evening.
which had been keyed up to a high
pitch.
When, at last. the argument was
reached 1t naturally vexed upon the
dull ears of drowsy men. who had been
listening for nearly two hours to the
reading. Besides, the contested points
had been pretty thoroughly threshed
over during the past four weeks. In
private conversation and in the press
so that there was little remaining to
uc SGlu uDOb SllUCI Sloc hHiCu 1l1u
even the semblance of novelty.
Air Full of Oratory.
number OF speeches were made
in favor Of confirming the appoint
ment and one was made on the other
side. Though some of the speeches
were of high order of merit from an
oratorical standpoint, 1t would not be
fair to any of the speakers to say that
they were at their best. In fact, to
be entirely truthful, one must say that
about all of the efforts were some
what labored. When 1t is remember
ed that this matter has been hanging
fire for weeks, and chat II has been
thoroughly discussed in every phase,
it is easy to understand that 1t has
become somewhat stale. and no longer
capable OF being made a moving
theme.
Some things were apparent at the
hearing. The sentiment on the floor
OF the joint Assembly was favorable
to Judge Rhea's confirmation. That in
the galleries was against him. Another
thing could be heard in whispers.
Though the majority of the members
of the Legislature will probably vote
for the confirmation, there will be con-
siderable number of Democrats In both
houses who VIII vote the other way.
The matter will be taken up again
Thursday night and decided. It was
an act Of great wisdom to delay taking
gether nearly $1,000 words. had Just
come in. The printed evidence, 500
closely printed pages, was received
only yesterday afternoon. The Cen
opportunity to consider either. If they
had acted upon this imperfect knowl-
edge, their conclusions would have been
subjected to great criticism on that
account.
Byrd Bill in Senate.
The Senate concerned itself almost
wholly with the consideration of the
Byrd liquor bill. 1t was extensively
amended in the Senate Finance Com
offered on the floor. AS heretofore
predicted in this column, the bill did
not have the plain sailing in the Sem
ate 1t enjoyed in the House. Senator
set and lost out on the cider question
at the close of the days session.
Whether he will be able to induce
be seen. There seems to be no deter
mined or concerted opposition to the
bill as a whole. Naturally. there is
objection to particular sections, and
TO the whole restrictive tendency Of
the bill. STILL there Is a disposition
TO let the bill go through substantially
in its present form, though, upon de-
or course, this is the great veXed uues
ton. The trend now is toward prohi-
bltion Whether that will result in
temperance or whether the solution is
to be found in the moderate use, un-
der proper restrictions, or light bever-
ages. containing small amounts of al
cohol; is matter yet to be deter
mined.
The bill now pending has a proyi
sion for malt liquor saloons. 1t would
be interesting to see one city in the
State, whose saloons sold only beer
and ale. 1t is believed that there would
be little drunkenness in that city. and
that the speakeasy and express trade
In whiskeys and hrandies would not he
territory.
Health Bill Passes House.
The House and Senate both passed
a number OF local and uncontested
In tho House the matter Of greatest
slrnificance was the passage of the
Baker borad of health bill, with espe-
cial provisions regarding the preyen-
ton and cure of tuberculosis.
To-day The general appropriation
bill Will come up in the House. Then
1t will be goodby to other measures
for two or three days.