The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-15
Speaker Overwhelms Dele.
gates and Drastic Anti.Sa-
loon Law Gets Majority
WILL BE OPPOSED
ON SENATE SIDE
Attempt to Prevent Printing OF
Evidence in Rhea Case at This
Time Is Defeated Mill
tary Bill Passes SEN
ate as Originally
Drawn.
ny LEWIS II. MACHEN.

by LEWIS II. MACHEN.
In the lower branch of the General
Assembly yesterday King Whiskey and
his cousins got solar plexus blow
not from any OF their old and blatant
foes, but at the hands of new heavy
weight champion, the Speaker of the
House OF Delegates
The battle was not according to the
Marquis OF Queensbury rules. or even
according to the rules OF the House.
for the rules were suspended the bill
was taken up out of its order. and
the constitutional readings dispensed
with. 1t would not be accurate to say
that II was railroaded through the
House. It went through like balloon
In high wind. Reasons for delay
were urged: the members had not had
time to read the bill; printed copies
had NOT been thoroughly distributed; !;
1t was an important measure. which
should not be hastily considered. The
Speaker, on the floor. held 1t. and held
his ground also. He offered to read
the bill line by line. courteously yielded
to all interjectlons, promptly answered
all questions. and met all objections
with directness and vigor. Late in the
afternoon session the entire field had
been fought over. and the bill swept
on to victory. Theadelegate from Pitt
syiyan'a gallantly failed to stem the
tide.
Radical Advance.
No such radical advance in restric-
tive legislation regarding the manu-
facture and sale OF Intoxicating liquor
has ever been attempted at single
movement in Virginia before. 1t is
true that the larger liquor interests
will not be seriously affected. The
king bees will still buzz, but the line
ta tf,,y ,.l1 ro Iol
The bill directly and expressly de-
stroys the country barrooms. Section s
confines the grazing of license speci-
fically to four classes of localities
namely. cities. towns of 500 inhabitants
or more. summer and seaside resorts
and comsnunities contiguous TO incorpo-
rated cities and towns OF 500 inhabi.
tants. 1t prevents the sale of liquor on
steamboats, or railroad trains. II
strengthens the hands OF the law by
allowing search warrants for. liquor
by putting the burden Of proof upon
the defendant to show that liquor
which produces intoxication is not iu-
toxicating df he can); 1t gives the
courts the right TO enjoin the illegal
sale of liquors as nuisance; prevents
the sale OF liquor on christmas Day,
as we'll as on Sundays and election
day; compels all saloons to close be
tween the hours of IL p. NJ. and A. NJ.
and adds to the list OF persons to whom
sales may not be made idiots lunatics
epileptics and habitual drunkards.
Distilleries which do not mash TWEEN
visions relating to retail liquor sa'
looms. Those wishing to avoid this in
convenience will be obliged to keeI
running. whether they wish to do te
The fake social clubs are put out OF
business by the imposition Of condi-
tions which it is certain none but tht
must refrain from dispensing liquors or
Sundays Christmas day and election
days:
tIcally upon the same footing witt
other intoxicating liquors. The onl!
way TO tell whether any special cider
does intoxicate is for somebody to drini
to be appointed. 1t is believed that 4
such an office is established there viii
be number OF applicants.
The bill now goes TO the Senate. ant
1t is thought that Judge Mann, as the
forces. viii push IL vigorously. Wheth'
nn the the s senate T had he N ths Rs house
doubtful.
To Print Evidence.
In the Senate yesterday a matter, O
great interest was decided, when thai
body. by majority OF one, adopted O.;
JOINT resolution TOT tnc spTlnllns ol tii'
testimony in the Rhea case.
The members OF the investigating
committee decided on the matter, ant
1t was darkly hinted that majority o
the joipt committee was opposed II
the prihtingtof the, evidence. at leas
until after the report had been made
1t is safe to predict that the Hous
will adopt the resolution also. Th
printing will probably not be com
pleted until after the report has beel
made Besides, the evidence was al
taken publicly, and much of 1t ha
been published In the newspapers. On
effect of the printing will be that I
the report should be made within tn
next few days it will almost certainl,
not be acted upon -until the member
have had time and opportunity to eS
anime the evidence.
The Senate unanimously passed tn
bill to establish geological survey
with Headquarters at the Universit
OF Virginia. There was fierce rivalr
for a time between the friends of tn
university and those Of the Virgini
Polytechnic Institute over the locatio
4 of the survey. but these difference
have recently been adjusted The Sen
ate also passed the militia bill in 1t
original form, as we'll as the bill 70
normal instruction In certain hig
schools. E18s