The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-06
Opposition Collapses to a
Very Small Minority
When Vote is Taken.
Speak, Err WARNS
THE LOBBYISTS.
Repeal Bill Occupies Attention Of
Senate. Where Large Majority
Appears Favorable-Will
Also Pass the House.
Fake Clubs to Be
Abolished.
nv LEWIS n. MACHEN.

AN ny LEWIS II. MACHEN.
Roads and railroads In the Legisla-
tnre yesterday is the history OF the
day In q nutshell.
OF course, there were interesting
Incidents and some digresstors, in and
cut OF the two chambers, but the main
topics involved tie question OF how
tho people OF Virginia can best secure
better facilities for locomotion.
In the House Speaker Byrd served
notice upon gentlemen entitled to the
privilege OF the floor by courtesy that
they must not converse with members
during the progress OF the debates.
This announcement somewhat damp
cned the spirits OF few OF the gem
sfford satisfaction TO the members,
who do not relish being importuned
about pending measures when they
wish to be attending to the proceed
1ngs OF the House.
The debate upon the w!thers bill,
for the Increase OF the road force by
including those convicts sentenced for
five years and under. was no less
spirited than on the day before. but
tho opposition, which then appeared
formidable. had dwindled perceptibly
and collapsed. when the vote was
t:ken, TO q minority OF fifteen. The
companion bill relating to the sending
os jallbirds to the force was discussed
somewhat. and will probably be acted
upon to-day. There may be some
amendments. but the bill will doubtless
pass substantially in its present form.
Rcpcnl Bill in the Senate.
The repeal bill occupied most OF the
session OF the Senate.
Judge Sims concluded his able aryu-
nicnt for tho bill, and Senator Halsey
made plea for the reference OF his
substitute to the Finance Committee.
but the Senate thought that the sub
1ect had been sufficiently consid red
in committee already. The vote OF the
Senate upon this question indicates a
large majority in favor OF uncondi-
1ional repeal Tfis sentiment 1, said
to be equally strong III the House,
where the duplicate hill Is sleeping
peacefully. awaiting the action OF the
Senate.
II two or three more measures are
going to consume as much time in both
louses as those under discussion yes
1erday. 1t is plain that only a few more
will be able to get themselves consid-
cred before the close OF the session
That would be sad, indeed, for the
thousand or two other bills which
,sould be left out OF sight and hear
ing.
On the skirmish lines there was
some waiting and manoeuvring. In the
Rlea camp the batteries were silen.,
pending the arrival OF reinforcements
for the prosecution. The clash between
the liquor forces and the clubs was
postponed until Friday. In the mean
while. It is expected that tho warIng
factions will have agreed upon terms
whereby the fake clubs may be elini-
s1,v Inf frip pertn
upon the prerogatives of the bona fide
social organizations. to which the dis
pensing OF liquor Is an incident rather
than an object. The possible point of
disagreement is the Sunday question,
but when all is said, this appears to
be only a question as to whether the
members of these clubs shall take their
refreshment in one room rather than
another. or walt upon themselves
rather than be waited upon by an ex-
pert dispenser.
The Blackstone Matter.
The Blackstone investigation Is in
the House Committee on Courts until
Tuesday. IT there is prima facle
case made out for an Investigation It
Is certain that the committee will re-
port In favor OF one. If the case
should appear to be one which calls
for an Investigation it Is difficult to
n 1SS #1'oW 5oilC Is 10 DC dNOluSu. i el
the members realize that 1t would turn
put to be a bill-killer Of uncommon
effectiveness. It would certainly con-
sumo vast deal Of time, which might
otherwise be spent in the work OF
legislation.
II removal is the object. there must
be twenty days. DAY notice, say from We'd
gin the hearing within few days Of
the closing, of the session. II the pur-
pose Is an impeachment during the ses-
SION, no legal notice is required, but
some would certainly be granted. The
mulating, the articles Of impeachment,
and the Senate would then be Obliged.
in all pro- abtlity, to give its individual
attention for the remainder OF the ses-
sion to the trial Of the same. Unques-
tionably,stha is quandary OF much
lengc to his accusers to produce evi-
dence of his alleged neglect of duty,
immortality and incompetency does not
tend TO clear the situation In the slight-
est
Ths only way out would seem to be
lily as 1t properly can, whether an I'M
parchment should be ordered and II
one is required, for the Senate to sit
during the recess OF the General AS
4 senlbly for tile trial. This might be
ineonvepient for the Senate, en- but N not
arlce Of the session. The House, too,
Is deeply int aested in having tho
Senate continue its work. The incon-
Vepience to the Senate Of being brought
back later to try the impeach ment Is
tho House to lie awake o. nights.
/.