The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-01-16
MEMBERS GETTING
READY FOR FRAY. I || A
Big Fights Looming . Up
in the Legislature Over
Many Matters.
QUIET II MEs
YESTERDAY
Fact That Flag Was Upside
Down Was Chief Event Around
Capitol-Democratic Caucus
Held at Night for Noni-
nation OF Judges.
Bills Pour In.
pY LEwIs II. MAcHEN.

The fact that the flag was upside
down was one OF the features OF the
day at the Capitol. This ls anothe,
way OF saying that yesterday was a
gull time II. legislative circles. mere
was no riot, az the position OF the Tag
would Indicate; not even a smali-sized
,nsurrection upon the part OF tho
minority over alleged unfair dtscrimi-
nations on the part OF the majority.
Work was going On. Just the samc--in
the committees. which were meeting
before and nftsr the legislative ses-
slons.
There were some bills on the cal.
.r6ars, too: but they were not ripe for
action. Only after second reading
raii amendments be proposed. and only
a:tera third reading can the perfected
bill be discussed and voted upon. This
Naturally. bills Will continue to be re-
ported faster than they can be disposed
OF. SO that the calendars will soon be
filled. Then there vii! be struggle
among the members to have their tav-
crite measures taken up and consid-
cred out OF their order. which re-
duires a roll cail-whIch consumes
time. Blils or the calendars OF both
houses get their first reaGings yester.
day In the usual abbreviated and clip
teal manner.
OF Questionable Value.
In the House Delegate sylvester Sc
cured the adoption of Joint resolu-
ton requesting the Virginia dclegn-
tion In Congress to support the May
l,ard bill for the condemnation by the
government OF lands at Cape Henry
and the establishment there of military
Ir NJ hE,,,r ka
actegation would naturally strive for.
Without any reference To the merits
of this or any other like resolution In
troduced at this session. I. may be
said that the congressional dele ga
tions, being o.. tie ground. and giving
especial attention to Federal matters.
are perhaps better qualified to decide
Tie Legislature. Consequently resolu.
tions of the latter body seeking to
direct or influsnce the action OF the
States delegation In Congress are OF
questionable value and may some.
times occasion embarrassment; The
spheres OF activity of the two bodies
are different. and much may be said
in favor OF allowing each to do It's
work without interference or sugges-
tion from the other.
1t is doubtful whether the LegisIa-
ture would take kindly to suggestion
regarding their own action conveyed
by resolution OF the Virginia delega.
ton in Congress.
Bills Pouring in Still.
Bills are still being poured into the
legislative hopper. and it is more than
problematical whether the mill cal,
possibly grind fast enough in the re-
naming days OF the session to dis
pense OF even tenth OF the grlst.
irro 10 h, ~
tees will be the main backgrounds
Two big fights are scheduled for mex,
week. Monday the Roads Committee
of the House will give hearing tc
those, who oppose a further increas.
Of the convict road force.
Wednesday, morning Joint meeting
Of the Roads Committees of bot!
houses will be held for the purpose OF
hearing arguments for ard against
the bill to repeal the prohibition
against paralleltng the Richmond
Fredericksburg and Potomac Railway
This promises to be battle royal
and big guns will be heard on ram
part and bastion. Large interests ane
the representatives OF many section:
are said to be urging the repeal, Will,
the road itself, the State proxies, tht
Board Of Sinking Fund Commissioners
and perhaps others, are no less Wig
orously opposing It
Bitter Fight Coming.
Last night joint caucus was hell
for the purpose OF nominating thos
Judges who are to be elected this ses
sion without opposition. The sr .eches
though numerous. We're brief and Il
good taste. and the judges all wol
their race en- masse In record time.
There will be other history to writ
concerning the Roanoke judgeshir
which will probably be determined a
soon as Senator Hart Is we'll enoug
to attend caucus. Pcrsonalitie
have been freely indulged in amon
the, adherents Of the two aspirnnt;
and It may he predicted that both side
will have some warm words to han
out when the caucus meets.
SESSION OF TWO HOUSES