The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-03-06
SENATE

The order OF the day in the Senate
was the appropriation bill, but before
the hour set for IL arrived, much i'm
portant other business was considered.
The House resolution providing for
single list of text-books In the public
schools was called UP and passed, an
amendment offered by Senator Keezell
being voted down.
The bill providing for the execution
OF criminals in the State penitcntiary
was passed, and there will be no more
hanging In this State, as a clause in
the bill calls for electrocution. Anoth
CT clause prohibits any newspaper or
publication from printing the details
of the execution, and sets forth that
nothing but the fact shall be made
known.
Opposed to Dill.
Senator Keezell was opposed to the
bill. He saw no reason for changing
the time-honored custom, and Senator
Folkes took the same view. Tho latter
found there was no use addressing the
Senate on the subject, as the bill would
surely be passed. 1t was like singing
psalms to dead horse. but neverthe-
less he thought 1t a bad move. No
other Southern State had adopted the
plan, and the local hangings served
to Impress the negroes. and in this
way to prevent more OF the "unmen-
tionable crimes
Senator Early agreed with both SEN
ators Keezell and Folkes. Senator Ora
watt said the mere fact that no South
ern state had adopted this mode of
execution should not deter Virginia,
and 1t is well-known fact, he de-
clared, that public execution. which the
system now employed virtually
amounts to, does not prevent crime.
Senator Walker did not know OF any
thing more demorallzng than local
hangings. He thought the ban of Sc
crecy would much more impress the
Imagination OF the negroes.
Senator Parks offered an amendment
providing that the body should be sent
back to the felon's relatives after tho
execution at their expense. This
amendment was adopted.
Appropriation Necessary.
| Senator Hartman had no objection 10
the bill. but called attention to the
fact that the electrical plant at the PEN
| ientlary could not furnish sufficient
current for the chair, and that an ap-
preparation would have to be made to
carry out the provisions OF the meas
| ure.
| The bill relating to the time of hold
| Ing tho terms of the circuit courts,
| which was a special order for the
morning, was passed by temporarily.
as there was some disposition to dis
cuss the matter. Senator Lassiter Of
fcred an amendment, taking Powhatan
county out of the Fourth Judicial Cir
cui. and putting 1t In the Fifth.
| Senator Sims claimed that the amend
ment was not germane to the bill, and
1t was passed by.
| The Senate concurred In the Huose
resolution extending sympathy to the
| families of the children burned in the
schoolhouse fire at Cleveland.
Many Senate bills were reported
passed by the House with slight
amendments, to all of which the Sem
ate agreed.
Appropriation Bill.
In presenting the appropriation bill
Senator Keezell said the Finance Com
mittee had worked faithfully over tn.
measure and he hoped it would pIeasa
/ everybody. 1t was a source of gratif-
alton to him to SEQ the bill carry
nearly s11,00O,00o now. against about
$5,OO0.o00 when he first came to the
| Legislature.
IAN erroneous idea prevails" said
Senator keezell. chat the Treasury of
has TO be done Is to come here, dip In.
and get all you want. This. however.
Is not the case. I am sorry that we
couldn't give everybody AL he asked
for. but we have done o,r best, and
II hope that every one will be salts
fell.
!. scaator Keezell went briefly over ;he
lbt.l. explaining all important changes.
add ireieesed appropriations. The hll
was then presented, the constitutional
readings were dispensed with. and the
attack began. Senator Lassi.er tri.
to have the salary of the Superinten-
dent of the Penitentiary raised to ST.
SEQ. but as the committee lad already
made 9 substantial increase, he
} aHcadmcnt vas voted down.
For Entertainment.
), Sci ntor Tolkes offered nn amend
nent appropriating $4,000 for the on
penscs Of entertaining by tho Cover
nor. This. he said. is very expen-
!: sive office. and ne had learned that
the Governor had spent hs much as
} $4,000 in entertaining recently.
II don't know that this is So" lie
went on: 1.-The Governor never told me
, ond am not doing 1t for personal rca
sons. / didn't support the Governor
at the last election. In fact, nobody
). I support ever gets elected. I might
support Judge Mann next time and
therefore, l invoke his aid In this mat
ter.''
Probably. Mr.. F'olkes said, the next
Governor might not give quite as en-
! pensive entertainments, but fzz water
and lemonade are rather expensive.
Notwithstanding this, the amendment
} was rejected.
X At O'Clock the chair was vacated
until $3.50 o'clock.
/ Afternoon Session.
When the Senate reconvened House
Bill No. 249, regarding the time for
holding court in the several judicial
circuits, was taken up and the debate
upon Senator Lassiter's amendment
was renewed. Senator Sims read =
letter from Judge Hundley, in which
he stated that his duties at present are
very heavy and that IL this additional
county were added, he would have
more business than he could transact
Senator Lassiter did not think that
Judge Humidity had so very much work
and he called for a vote. The Senate
was not ready to vote on the subject
however. The chair did not count a
sufficient number up to sustain the
call, and the matter was again passed
by.