Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-02-26
VOTE ON RHEA REPORT
HELD Up IN ASSEMBLY
Virginia Legislators Hear Two Re.
ports and EuGh Fiery OFarory
on Question.
VOTE WILL Be TAKEN TONIGHT
Delegate Montague Win Display of
Temper, Insists That He be Al
lowed to Consider Case More Care
fully-Announces That He Wears
Nobody's Yoke-Liquor Bill.
Especial to The Daily press)

Especial 10 The Daily Press)
RICHMOND, VA. Feb. 25-After
= hearing majority ana minority reports
: with reference to the confirmation of
Jndge William f. Rhea of Briatol. as
listening for several hours to il.ey
oratory upon them. late tonight the
joint assembly of the Legislature adj
iourned to meet ut o'clock iomor-
row hight, when a vote will probably
DO reached.
Both Of the reports are yolumnouo
documents. and their reading con
sumcd over an hour. The majority
paper is signed by nine members and
completely vim ticates Judge Rhea OF
all the charges made against him,
While the other one bears only tine
signature OF Senator H. Ashby Wick
liam OF Henrico, and practically sus-
tains most of them.
Senator Nbel, who preferred the
charges against Judge Rhea, arose
Immediately following the reading of
the reports and spoke for nearly an
hour
Speaker Byrd succeeded the Lee
county senator on the floor and was
so vigorously applauded in the outset
Of his remarks that he could not pro-
ceed for some minutes Speaker Byrd
attacked the position which Mr. Noel
had assumes in the matter and stated
vehemcntly that lie could never be
made TO believe otherwise thnn that
Judge Rhea's accuser has hid his stings
of malice and revenge under the guise
Of patriotism.
Others who spoke in advocacy of
Judge Rhea's confirmation were: r.
W. Withers or Nansemond Senator
Halsey of Lynchburg, and Judge Mar
tin Williams of Giles.
II was nearly midnight when the
latter gentleman assumed the floor
ana at thta hour he was interrupted
by n motion TO postpone the further
hearing of speeches until Thursday
night There is no doubt that Judge
Rhea will be confirmed and BY very
large majority. Ii is believed TIM,
the Republicans will vote solidly
against him.
Discussed the Liquor Bill.
The bill regulating the sale OF IL
quor In Virginia came up in the Sen
ate today as the special order.
The fact that the bill was to b.
discussed served to bring to the gal
lery one of the largest crowds of the
season There were many minister's
!. and ladies' in the audience. many he
Aing members of the white ribbon"
Hbrieade-the Woman's Christian TEN
8perancc Union. They followed the
debate carefully
| Senator Mann. who had charge OF
! the bill, made an explanation OF its
provisions. He declared that he
wanted the fullest opportunity TO Of
fer amendments and to express his
sentiments. He said that under the
provisions of the bill clubs could be
opcrntcd-the bona fide clubs. But
under the bill no club could sell or
dispense liquors OF any Kind on sun
day or election day The hill pro-
hhiis such sales on SUNDAYS. ana he
wanted that provision in the bill I'm
der the law. only qualified voters c-uid
get license, and he did not wan TO
seq a woman sell liquor
The hill was taken M section h.
section end prnonGments were offered.
An amendment by Senator Halscy.
which was adopted. abolishes the
county and municipal tax on social
clubs. leaving only tho state licenses.
Tho judgc who grants licenses is 10
determine the character and fitness
Of men who apply for liquor licenses
for clubs
The llnlsoy amendment, however,
imposes tax of 81 on each momber
MP to $3.50, which is The same as
license for retail liquor license.
An amendment by Senator Holt was
inserted whereby sellers of lio,ior
shall not be inhibited from serving as
oliccrs OF clubs. The amendment
was not OPPOSED by Senator Mann.
Senator STROBE. OF Amherst. offcred
a resolution which had for its object
The suppression of saloons within one
mile OF The corporate limits OF cities
in which liquor is sold. He said his
desire was that tho suburban saloons
Should be- driven TO the corporate
tSg 81 Hh