The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-01-27
BY LEWIS II. MAcHEN.

- Il
In the Legislature the week begin
ming to-day promises to be the most
interesting one of the entire session.
In the first place. II will bring the re-
ports OF the Road Committees OF the
Two houses upon tho proposition to-
allow the paralleling OF the Richmond. /.
and Potomac Railway,
and may. in fact. see the finish OF this
notable fight. OF tho strictly lcgis-
latlve matters which have been. or
will be. brought to the attention of the
lawmakers at this session, there is
none which exceed this in the magni-
tude OF the forces contending on both
siues. In the skill and vigor OF the
contention. or in the Intensity OF the
public interest awakened
Rhen Investigation.
During the week the matter Of the
confirmation by the General Assembly
of the appointment of Judge W. +.
Rhea as member OF the Corporation
Commission will probably be settled,
poinfments will hear testimony to-.
morrow. and. one or two days later. II
the evidence is all In will make re-
port TO the joint meeting of the As
asembly. and prompt action Is expected
to follow. 1t Is not impossible, OF
course. that the joint meeting may be
adjourned to allow opportunity for
Democratic caucus on the matter,
though this phase Of the case does not
appear to have been much discussed
mp to this time. "A caucus upon such
a matter would be unusual. but 1t Is
also true that 1t is not often that such
fight Is made upon an executive ap-
pointment. It Is generally understood
-. - r
Will vote solidly against confirmation.
Big Questlon.
An attempt will be made during the
week to reopen the question Of the
manner OF choosing members of the
state Corporation Commission which
was thought to lave been closed by the
defeat In the House Friday of the SEN
ate bill providing for election by the
people. A spirited discussion will fol-
I low over the method of bringing up de-
feated bills again by new bills. merely
changing Details and also over the
x main question. of whether t would
be better policy to elect the commits
sioners or to have them appointed, as
at present. The division OF sentiment
upon these questions is likely to be
very pronounced, and the outcome oil
the renewed agitation Is exceedingly
doubtfu1. } sS} 5t sg
It is easy to see that while any one
OF these Important matters is being
considered good many bills are be-
Ing added to the calendars, which are
already pre- tty we'll filled.
Bills Plling I'm. 4 u Sgs
This accumulation will naturally
continue without aba tement until bott
calendars are in a acongested condition
and 1t will become apparent bef fore the
20th Of February, after which no new
measures may be introduced, that I
will be practically impossi bic ito dea lea
4 with all the bills which hayc beer
a considered by the committees. Ther
many members will try to have thei1
favorite measures taken up out Of thei1
order, and this process vii n consume
time, and still further diminish th'
prospect OF dispostng OF al the matter
on the ca lsndars. he connit ttees, b,
that time, will E he RoVercrow wded witt
work. and discussion. both before tht
committees and on the 3 floors.ss}will b
greatly abbreviate 1. and afternoon an,
+ night sessions will be held to- allov
the passage OF local and unconteste,
y measures 5asi VI s rs M Il
TIL q roll will be cnl led and member
will haVeira irig t at each Snee ting e
bring up any bill to which there ar,
not over IN g Sortw al Injections wtthou
4 regard to Its ositionS on The calendar
q n. Az Much of the time Which. will thel
Y seen so precious wi II he taken up witt
q !he constitutional and partial readtnl
5ss Of bil lls. d ~ htch no body wil " lister
e or could profltably Listen, ~ q ias tht
ealing at roll and the ma king Np 70
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