The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-26


ton the Richmond Daily Times-Dis-
patch.
existing law. Tho main features OF
the bill, he said, were the wipng out
of saloons In the rural districts and IN
towns of less than 500 inhabitants, the
requirement upon small dlstilleries to
conform to the provisions OF the law
relating to retail liquor dealers, the
elimination OF fake social clubs by
means of impositions upon all clubs.
among them being the giving of bond
and the fulfilling OF other conditions,
as we'll as by the closing OF the bars
of all clubs on Sunday. Christmas Day
and election days. Other new proyis.
ions, ho said, were the closing of all
bars in the State between midnight
and o'clock each day, and the rails
ing OF retail licenses to $3.50
large number OF amendments were
proposed by the Finance Committee
and number of others were offered
upon the floor. Some OF these tho
Senator from Nottoway accepted and
others no opposed. Several of them
precipitated lively discussions and
some rather close recorded votes. SEN
ator Halsey offered tho first amendment
originating upon the floor. which re-
lated to social clubs and was intended,
ho explained. to put them In the posi-
lion In which the bill, when hrgt pre-
scented to the House, placed them. Sem
ator Mann then explained at length the
provisions OF the bill relating to social
clubs. Some other amendments were
offered and considerable confusion
arose, and in the hurry to straIghten
things out Senator Folkes addressed
the Nottoway Senator as Judge"
High Tax on jug Traders.
The junior Senator from Richmond
then offered an amendment putting a
tax OF $1,000 a year upon express COM
panies for the privilege OF transporting
Intoxicating liquors. Senator Walker
doubted whether the amendment was
germane. but 1t was considered never
theless.
Senator Rlson endeavored to remove
the limitation against incorporated
communities of less than 800 inhabl-
tants where there was adequate police
protection He didn't see why citizens
lin towns of 400 shouldn't sell liquor nor
why other citizens should not have the
privilege OF buying liquor in cases OF
tooth ache. snake bite. etc.
Senator Mann opposed the amend
ment, saying that lie would be willing
TO have al, saloons put under the strin--
gent provisions of the bill. but thought
that such action now would not be re-
garded as conservative. The Rlson
amendment was lost by a substantial
vote.
The amendments in the main were
In the direction OF relaxation. but SEN
ator STROBE offered one in the contrary
direction. TO remove the exception al
lowing licenses to be granted in com
munities contiguous TO cities. He
thought such localities were not prop
erly policed and were not undesirable
locations for saloons. Incidentally he
said that the State seemed TO be going
In hand gallop toward prohibition and
for his part he was not disposed to-
hinder the contamination.
Senator Lesner thought the saloons
in territory adjacent to cities were
properly patrolled by police Senator
Holt expressed the same opinion, and
the amendment was defeated by re-
corded vote of 81 to II. some OF the
Senators not voting.
Senator Parks offered an amendment
regarding the provision that no saloons
could he opened in territory contiguous
to a city unless saloon license had
been granted there within twelve
months. He thought 1t an unjust dis
elimination. He said he was a tenn
perance man. but not a fanatic and told
biblical anecdote having reference to
Moses, Lot and Dives. Senator Wick
ham also advocated the amendments.
Mann Opposed Amendments.
Senator Mann opposed the amend
ments saying that the policy of the
bill is to restrict the privileges of re-
tail liquor dealers by a recorded vote
of % TO Ia.
Senator's Wickham, Early and Wood
secured the adoption of minor amend
ments.
Senator Rison wishes the smaller
distilleries to be exempted from the
rigid provisions Of the bill His amend-
ment was rejected by vote of IS to
Z.
At the opening of the afternoon ses-
sion. Senator Parks secured the adop-
ton of an amendment putting the
brandy distilleries on the same footing
with grain distilleries
Senator " alker presented an amend
ment for graduating licenses from S7OOI
in the cities down to SITS, on a sliding
scale, for those In the smaller towns
and at health and summer and sea-
side resorts. He argued strongly for
this method of levying the tex, but 1t
was opposed by Senator'S Keezell,
SaEle, Folkes and others. This amend
ment was rejected
Senator Early offered an amendment
relating to what kind Of cider might
be sold without license. The bill pro-
vides for the free sale OF only that
cider which Is not Intoxicating. The
Early amendment allows the sale Of
pure cider without any mixture with
anything except personalities allowed
by United States law.
Senator Mann and Walker strongly
opposed this amendment, which was
strongly advocated by Senators Early,
Echos and STROBE. The amendment
was adopted by vote of 90 to IS.
The Senate at G o'clock adjourned
until 10 o'clock to-day.
MT. Craig Favored Bill.
In the account of the debate upon
the Williams insurance bill the otharl