The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-01-06
society evont, and many prominent ineil
and women Will probably attend thu

{ i.
society evont, and many promiaentt ir,eil
and women Will probably attend thu
ceremones. I'll ~ ',s
lmmsdiately following the organiza-
ton OF the two houses tha message OF
Governor Swanson will be rend ~
both. This paper Is awaited With
great interest, as 1t Is known to deal
with many matters Of sweeping mo-
mont to the people OF the State.
Preliminary Matters.
Beyond the formal ceremonies lnci-
dent to the organization of the body
and the introductiono OF few bills and
resolutions, the Legislature will trans
net but little business on the opening
day.
& Indeed, the first week OF the session
Will be largely devoted to preliminary
matters: to the Introduction oftvolumes
OF bills, and the appointment and or
gnnization of the standing committees.
~ Joint caucus Will be held In thu
meanwhile for the election OF state
officials and judges, and some Of the
fights over these positions are already
growing warm. First Auditor Marye.
second Auditor Dew and public Printer
Davis Bottom will be reelected with
out opposition.
a fight is on for Register OF the
Land Office between the incumbent.
Colonel John w. Richardson, and Mr..
II A. Marshall. Of Charlotte. Each
claims that he Will win by safe lead
IN the caucus, though both arc work.
ing hard to secure more pledges.
There are a number of judgcshlp con :
tests. but the one attracting the widest
attention Is from Roanoke city, where
Messrs. Roy 3. Smith and Waller T..
staples are opposing each other for
judge of the Corporation Court.
May Go Over.
Judge John w. Woods. the incumbent.
has declined recollection. and the race
hetween the gentlemen who desire to
succeed him is growing warmer every
day. Senator Hart Is for Mr.. Smith
and Delegate Hunt for his law partner.
& Mr.. Staples. Mr.. Hart has Just been
operated upon for appendicitis, and It
is probable that the matter will be
deferred until he Is able to reach, the
city.
There are several circuit judgeshipa
to be filed. but they do not seem to
have provoked any very sharp contests
up to this time. A number. OF mem-
bers OF both branches. candidates and
friends OF candidates, are already on
the ground, and by Tonight the lob
bies Will be agog with politics and poll
ittcians.S Measures have been prepared
and will be offered early in tha SEES
sion upon many OF the most inpor.
tant matters affecting the interests OF
the State.
Perhaps those general subjects which,
will receive the most earnest considr
Grafton and be acted upon most prompt.
iy are taxation, public schools, pensions
roads and the Keeping OF the States
accounts.
Important Matters.
The Times-Dispatch sent GU. In.
nuirios to the rnembers-elect some time
ago as to the matters In which they
felt most deeply interested. and nearly
all who answered mentioned road,
schools and pensions. Some declared
that they favored better system OF
railroad regulation. and others empha
Fized the liquor question as an !mpor-
tant one.
1t is not believed. however. tina,
there will be any effort to pass a gen
eral prohibition Law. but tina. II Their:
is any liquor Legislation. 1t will be
along the lines OF high license, and So
ciai club regulation. The appropriation.
for schools. roads and pensions vii
undoubtedly be increased. and nearly
Gil the State. educational and humane
institutions are asking for more money
a new State building is strong pos
sibilfty. and there will be heavy drain.