The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-01-07
BASCOM SLEMP
is SWORN IN
Celebrated His First Day by In
PRODUCING Twenty-Seven Bills.
Noncommissioncd Officers
to Serve With Volun-
tccr Troops to Teach
Army Tricks.
Times-Dlspa,cl, Bureau.
M,insey Building,
washlnglon. .. C., Jan. 9.

washington, D. c., Jan. q.
The first day OF Congress after the
holiday recess was entirely devoid OF
Interest. The House OF Representa-
tiycs was III session little more than
halt an hour. and the Senate adjourned
in about six minutes after the Vice
Presidents gavel fell. this action being
taken In honor Of the memory OF Sena-
tor Mallory. OF Florida, who died since
the Senate adjourned for the holidays.
The only feature Of the House ses-
sion was the swearing in OF Repre-
sentative Bascom Semp. elected to the
House to succeed his father. the late
Colonel Campbell Slemp. of Virginia.
Representative John Lamb escorted his
new colleague to the tlais, where the
Speaker administered the oath. Mr..
Slemp had arranged to have Represen-
tative Sherman. of New York, accom-
oath. but when j. j. Sinnott, Demo-
cratic employe OF the House, found
that such arrangement had been made,
hr at once broke up the plan by having
Captain Lamb discharge the duty. Rep
resentative Jones. the dean of the
Virginia, delegation. would have been
invited to accompany Mr.. Slemp, but
the former did not chance to be in
his seat to-day when the House COM
~
Twenty-scyen Bills First Day.
Mr.. slemp celebrated his first days
service by introducing twenty seven
bills, eleven of them private relief bills,
and the balance providing for the pay
ment of pensions to certain OF his con-
stituents who allege service In the
Union Army. One OF the bills provides
| for the removal of the charge of de-
sertion against Archibald Gibson. OF
Scott county. formerly a. member OF the
| Nineteenth Kentcky Infantry, and the
/, payment OF pension to him, together
| with back pay and bounty.
NO Whiskey ON STAR Routes.
Probably the most important bill In
troduced to-day was one by Repre-
sentative Sims, OF Tennessee, which
provides that the Postma ster-General
shall hereafter, In contracting for the
| transportation OF mails over star rou tes.
| expressly provide that no whiskey shall
be carried by the said contractor or his
carrier or subcontractor. A second bill
makes 1t unlawful for any such con-
tractor or carrier to carry or deliver
a package of whiskey, the Postmaster
General to prescribe the regulations
governing such offenses. such as vio-
lation of contract. Mr.. Sims said he
did not prescribe a penalty, since this
would have taken the bill to the Com
nittee on Judiciary, and he doubts
whether that commltte would have re-
ported out such measure. He be.
lieves the E'ost-Of1ce Committee vii
report the bill favorably.
Federal Prosecution of Lynchcrs.
I A very important measure was In
Itroduced by Representative Sherley. o.
Kentucky. which provides that In case:
of conspiracy against aliens the Fed
i feral government. and not the State
4 government shall have authority ovel
!. prosecutions. The bill Is aimed to NEE
such cases as arose in New Orleans
some years ago, when a mob lynche6
several Italians, who were members o
the Alaf1a, which had committed nu
nlerous murders In that city, and tht
anti. Japanese riots In San francisco
last year. where much property belong
/, ing to Japanese was destroyed. ant
several Japs were injured
THE government of citizen thu:
injured by citizens OF the United State:
invariably makes complaint to oul
State Department" said Mr.. Sherley
THE Federal government is absolutel,
powerless. and can only send polite
note to the Governor of the State II
.. which the crime has been committed
) asking him to SEQ that proper step