Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-01-22
ROW IN LEGISLATURE
OVER NAMING RHEA
Ills appointment 10 sta'e COrpOr.
alton Commission Bitterly OPP.
posed by Republicans.
HE'S ACCUSED OF CR0oKEGnEss
Senator Noel Goes After the Bristol
Man Without Glovcs-Dclegate
Barrett Introduces Bill on the Eye.
sight Of School childrcn-spcakcr
Byrd is for the Repeal.
Especial To Tho Daily Press. J

Especial To Tho Daily Pross.)
RICHMOND VA. Jan. 2l.-Thc two
branches OF the legislature. sitting in
joint session this afternoon, decided
after tompctnous meeting blazing
with political heat to rccommit the
report of the conference committee on
confirmation of Governor Swansons
appointment of ox-JudEc William T.
Rhca MS n member OF the state cor
poration commission To succeed Henry
G. Stuart, Whose term expires Fcbru-
AIRY lst
Judge Rhca was charged with poll.
teal crookcdncss cortuptness while II
judge of the Corporation Court of
Bristol and other ofienses OF like
nature.
Senator Noel. OF Lee. led the fight
for the Republicans, while he was
backed up by Delegates pcndleton and
Southerland. of the House. The two
last mentioned, however. dealt only In
generalities but Senator Noel did not
mince words.
To the defense of Judge Rhea came
some of the ablcst members OF the
tHouae, ~including Martin Williams, of
| Giles. Delegate Stuart. of Washington
and also Senator Mann.
Judge Rhca has been charged, de-
ciarcd Senator Noel, with abeitng
fraud in elections. lie has been
charged with accepting bribc while
holding the office Of judge: he has
been charged with changing the re.
turns of the elections IN buchanan,
Russell and Scott counties, He should
not become n mcmher of the state
corporation commission with these
charges resting upon him, urged the
Senator. and he insisted that the gov
ernor's appointment lie recommitted
to the committee on nominations until
these charges could be investigated,
Byrd for the Repeal.
Speaker X. L. Byrd of the house
! of delegates. today made statement
relative to the repeal of the Richmond.
! Fredericksburg & Potomac monopoly
now pending before the House and the
Senate. and which is to be heard TO
morrow mornin. He said:
81 have given this matter great con
sideration and 1t seems to me that my
duty is plain. intend to vote fol
the repeating bill, without any condi
ton, modification or limitation"
Require Notice of Accidents.
The house committee on counties
cities and towns today made its fav
orablo report on bill requiring where
a person Is injured on streets of q
city. or otherwise. shall be rtquii-
ed TO give notice that he will bring
suit within three months of the date
of accident.
AS the law exists the injured per
son may wait eleven months before
ginving notice of a suit
To investigate Bank Failures.
Merritt d. Cook. of Norfolk. Is Tho
patron of this measure, which reads
any bank or other institution en-
braccd in chapter 4S of the Code Of
Virginia. the judges of the Circuit
and Corporation Courts of This com
monwealth, in their jurisdiction, and
of the various commemorative attor
| ncys OF this state, shall call the at
tention of the proper grand juries
thereto whose duty ii shall be to
make the necessary investigation int
such failure and the action of said
institution leading up and prior there
TO and report their findings 10 Tho
court
To Test Sight of Pupils.
a bill providing for the testing o.
the sight ana hearing of pupils in tho
public schools was offered today IL
the House by Delegate Barrett. Of
Newport News. 1t provides that th'
state superintendent of public instruc
tion shall prepare. or cause TO lie pre-
pared. upon the advice and approval
Of The state board OF health. suitable
test cards, blanks, record books ant
other necdful appliances to be usot
in testing the sight and hearing of III,
pupils In the public schools. and tina
.io sha;i aiso Obtain necessary instruc
lions for the use thereof: and shai
furnish same. free of expense, to al
the schools of the state upon the re
quest of the school hoard of any coun
~ or city. accompanied with the state.
= ment from the clerk thereof that thu
said board had by resolution adopted
the use OF said test cards. blanks, etc.
and had directed the use thereof il
schools under their charge.
Within fiftesn days after the be