Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-02-25
There WILL Be THO REPORTS MADE
II is Thought Senator Wickham, Who
Stands Alone in Minority Report,
VIII Discuss lt.-Housc Passcs Bill
Appropria.ing $4,000 Annually to
the State Militia.
Especial To The Daily Press

RICHMOND, VA, Feb. 24.-Thc
Joint session of the general assembly
Tuesday night will be an open meet
ing. So said Il member OF the Senate
this morning.
AT this session the reports in tho
Rhea case are to be made public. AZ
has been before stated in this paper.
there are to he two reports-with
nlno members signing the majority
and one signing n minority report
Tho session will be n lively one.
Tho reports will be read ut length
and the chairman of the committee
Will have the support OF several of the
majority in discussing the findings OF
tho majority, while Senator Wickhan.
who will. according to popular belief.
discuss his report
II Is believed that Senator Wick
ham will not take ground that Judge
Hhea Is connected or has been con
nectcd with any of the allegations
which have boon made on him. but
VIII rather recommend that because
of these attacks and the feeling that
has been aroused, his usefulness may
be somewhat Impaired.
The Folkes bill IMPOSING n tnx of
ono percent. on mineral output NJ the
mouth OF the mines was the special
order for the day. The measure had
been debated on Saturday and the bill
engrossed. There was no discussion
Of tho measure today, and the roll was
called on the passage of the bill as II
came from the committee, and it was
defeated by vote of 90 to 5-Messrs
E1Qm Trolkoe- IInr .
Wickham casting the affirmative vote.
Fees for Officers.
Tho special order next considered
was that pertaining to the fees Of
various ofilcers In the state. The bills
amended section 1881 and increases
the fees of sergeants. sheriffs and
eonstables for serving writs.
Dlll No. IL increases the fees of
5afers for receiving and keeping pris
oners. the Increase being per cent.
Strobe Bill.
The Senate took up the Strobe bill.
which provides that county superin-
tendents of schools shall not receive
less. than 5000 in any one year. said
superintendents to devote their entire
time to their duties The Lii also
provides that in case any one county
declines to make provision for the
payment of the salary of the superin-
tendent. said county may be merge 1.
with another in order to warrant the
state In paying the sum of 5000. but
Z counties are given the option OF hay
Ing the supervisors provide for th,.
Increase
There was some little op,osition
10 the bill. the contention being thai
increasing the salary of the men
feould not moan an increase in ciii-
cheney or add one whit to their duties
The .slinerintcndents who have a habit
OF visiting schools once or twice 4,
year came In for little scoding.
The bill is Designed to push the
counties forward and to ,,royide a
salary for the superintendent which
open The way for getting men whc
are qualified to attend 10 the duties
Of the positions Ii the county will
not do this. why he county is To b.
placed with another connty and one
Of The superintendent will be lost
Tho bill WIS passed
Companion Bills are Passed.
The House today passed the com
ItUipn Nlilf Df ltOWtIt ~.
Feathcrstonc. of Compbell county.
which mako railroad corporations
liable for all frea resulting from
sparks thrown from their engines. and
which allow such corporations nm in
surblo right in all such property
There was practically Ito oppositipr
TO Tho measure. except from Edwin p.
Cox. Of Richmond who favored con
sideration Of the vote by which the
bills passed Mr.. Cox held that 10
impose such n burden on The railway
companies al this time or iinancin!
strlngency would be great njus-
tico.
$4,000 Fund for the State Militia.
The House today passed senate I'LL
No. so, which provides general APP
preparation fund for tho support and
maintenance of tho state militia I'm
der tho bill certain percentage OF .
certain class OF taxes Will. he turned
over to thomllitia. and the entire ap-
propriation Will approximate $4,000