The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-01-24
TWO BIG HEARINGS
kEEPTKEM.0N ] / |. EDGE
Rhea Case and r. F. &
r. Bills Chief Issues
Before c Committees.
FROyvN1 NC ON
STAR CHA MBE.R
Great Interest in Measure to
Elect Corporation Commission
ers by People-Redistrict-
ing Conference Sug-
gests Slight
Changes.
by LEWIS II. MAcHEx.

by LEWIS II. MAcHEN.
Yesterday at the Capitol was a busy
Gay, but II WIS not fraug hit with any
great excitement A number OF bills !
were passed In both branches, but none |
was OF special public interest The
meeting OF the Joint committee on
executive appointments in the after
noon was open to the public and was
largely attended, but was devoid OF any
sgainst Judge Rhea. with the names
OF the witnesses who are expected to
establish them were presented to the
committee, which adopted resolution
asking the General Assembly for an
thortty to summon witnesses. admin.
ister oaths and take sworn testimony.
The committee appointed Tuesday next
ast the timc for examining the witt
ncsssr. Judge Rhea came in near the
end OF the meeting and made brief
and calm address to the committee,
entering general denial to all OF the
charges. and saying that he courtcd
the fullest Investigation He was ap-
plauded upon his entrance and at the
conclusion OF his address. The desire
tof the committee and OF all parties to
tho controversy appears to be for a
speedy but thorough hearing OF the ac-
cusatlons and a prompt and decisive
.
sion.
No Star Chnmber Here.
The hearing before the committee
Will certainly be public. and there will
wil pro bly, be strong effort made
TO have the proceedings Of the Joint
meeting OF the two houses to pass
finally upon the confirmation also con-
Quoted publicly. The disposition upon
the part OF the, members seems to be
averse TO any Star Chamber methods.
and In favor OF the fullest light and
air upon and around the whole subject.
lnlthe House the matter broke out
astew moments In the statements of
ons OF the Republican delegates re-
gardinE aono explanation he had Of
fered "wednesday OF some remarks he
had made the day before IN the execu-
( tive session. He wished II understood
that all Impressions that he was ex-i
ilibitinE any white -plumage was cruelty
incorrect and that his native courage
had accompanied him to Richmond.
Further than this. the entire ques-
tiop Sc In allegiance and will so remain
until Tuesday.
For Repeal of r., F. e r. Law
The hearing upon the Richmond.
Fredericksburg and Potomac Railway
BILL was continued last night in the
Senate Chamber. The interest In the
the floor and gallery were crowded.
Some big guns were fired and some
telling shots were delivered, but the
proceedings lacked the dramatic
cl!maxes OF Wednesday night. The
business interests OF fredericksburg
had their claims strongly urged. and
he majority OF the State proxies We're
also ably represented. The fact liz that
the subject has now been so thoroug i1ly
presented Ito the committees, both
orally and through pamphlets and
newspaper publications. that little. II
anything. can now be said which could
bring out additional facts or !llumi.
hearing vii! be concluded to-day, and
the reports OF the committees will
probably be presented tomorrow. In
that case the bill will be likely to
reach the calendars OF the two houses
on Saturday. and after the second
reading will be open to amendments
OF which there are sure to be several
offered. Then the scene OF conflict will
have shifted to the floors OF the tive
houses. and there It will be wagee
y aercely though how extendedy can,
notsbe safelyiprophesled. II the cohort:
favoring the absolute repeal are as nu'
nterous In the Senate and House IS !:
claimed by friends OF the measure i
Is Possible that the other side will
u
struggle: on the other hand. II 1t de,
velops that there Is any hope OF de-
feating the repeal altogether. or ever
+ OF defeating the unconditional repeal
there is no telling how long the strug
Q GLE may last,
he only congressional changes ar
Floyd county, of the Fifth District. t
the Sixth, and Craig from the Ninth t
the Tenth. n
Some senate Problems.
so turday OF! Monday there Will doubt
less be a lively discussion in the Sen
.te.oXer the roposition to appropriat
extinguishment& the public debt, an
Z smother In the House overt 5questio
IS Of electlng the members OF the Cor
N pora tion Commission BY tho peoplt
The Senate yesterday refused to pas
/ 4! by the former. and the House decline
toisend the lat ter bill to the COMMITTEE
sor. Courts Of Justice. the Comnitto
on u Iecslons avlng already report cd 1
II a r.