The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-23
Latter Goes Through Senate;
House Adopts Former
After Big Fight.
ASSEMBLY TO TAKE UP
RHEA CASE TUESDAY
Members Of Committee Decline
to Give Slightest Intimation OF
Character Of Report-Both
Branches Rushing Work
on Important
Bills.
BY LEWIS H. MAcHEN.

BY LEWIS H. MACHEN.
I-HE day at the Capitol was some
what electrical. There was
plenty of thunder, with some
lightning and many mutterings.
! The developments in the Blackstone
case made the proceedings in the two
houses seem like religious exercises in
| comparison. AS the testimony was
| given the wonder grew stronger and
stronger that the accused man should
have put himself in the position in
which such statements concerning him
could be publicly made and dissemi-
mated through the State, which he had
served In the upper house of its Legis-
lature and as member of It's Judi.
ciary. 1t is believed to be the first
| time, and 1t is devoutly hoped that it
will be the last that such accounts OF
| the public and private proceedings of
any Virginia Judge will ever be given
| to the world. For time 1t was be-
lieyed that witnesses for the defense
might be able to dispel some Of the
clouds that had assembled above the
| head of the accused, but admissions
made by him in order to shield some
companions who were threatened with
Implication in the matter would seem
to abolish any such hope. 1t is the
universal desire that the investigation
be speedily concluded. and 1t is the
expectation that the action of the
House of Delegates upon the report Of
the committee will be prompt.
Rhea Investigation.
The Rhea investigation, too. Is about
ended. Resolutions were adopted by
both houses yesterday for a joint
meeting on Tuesday night to hear the
result OF the deliberations of the COM
mittee. It was stated that the printed
evidence in the case would be dis
tributed Monday. Whether the mem
hers of the General Assembly. in the
intervals between their other labors,
with committee meetings and early
and late sessions CT the House and
Senate. will have time to read and d.
gest the voluminous evidence in the
matter is more than doubtful. 1t is
said that 1t covered 700 typewriter
pressure will be brought to bear to
| have final action taken on Tuesday
night.
| In the meantime the committee Is
maintaining silence upon the nature
OF their forthcoming report which
makes the sphinx appear garrulous by
contrast No word, sign nor token
can be gathered from which one may
guess the awful secret.
Road Bill Passed.
Tho Senate yesterday occupied itself
almost exclusively with discussion of
the bill, which had passed the House.
providing an appropriation OF $250,000
for State aid in the improvement OF
roads. The debate, though long, was
strong and skilful, and exhibited a
wide knowledge on the subjects of
roads and taxation upon the part of
the Senators.
Despite the fact that there was some
admitted opposition to the whole
scheme of State aid to road-building,
and though amendments We're offered
and earnestly pressed. endeavoring to
change the method of distribution pro-
posed, the bill finally swept through
the Senate without dissenting vote.
Indeed, public sentiment appears to be
SO thoroughly in favor of State aid in
road matters that the march or any
reasonable measure to effect that pur-
pose would have been resistless. The
| bill appears to be the best composite
| of conflicting Views which could be
adopted at this time.
Undoubtedly 1t Is but an indication
that national aid for roads Will soon
lbs burning issue, and will eventually
be an assured fact
Wharton Law Again.
In the House the old Wharton law,
relating to the prevention OF combina-
tons of fire insurance companies for
lthe purpose of maintaining schedules
of rates. was passed against vigorous
and persistent opposition. Should it
become a law by the concurrence OF
the Senate, it will, no doubt, seriously
affect tho Southeastern Tariff Asso-
citation, as to whose virtues and vices
there Is such wide dlfference OF
opinion among the members OF tho
Legislature and in the State at large.
Whatever may be the merits OF this
particular association, there Is an OBJ
vious sentiment nowadays against all
varieties of combinations for the domi-
nation or control of any KIND OF busi-
ness or pursuit and against this gem
eral trend of opinion particular advan-
tages cannot prevail.
To-day will witness lively fight in
the Senate over the proposition to tax
the output of mines. Should the bill
become law 1t will deeply affect
many large mining interests. especially
in the southwestern portion of the
State. The fate of the measure cannot
be predicted at this time. but the pros
|pect Of large accretion Of revenue
from this source, which would be
available Tor appropriations at the next
session. will no doubt prove extremely
Inviting, not to say tempting. to ma
ljority of the members of the General.
ASSEMBLY.
SESSION OF TWO HOUSES
After His Fight Wharton Law Passes
Lower Branch.
The House of Delegates convened
nromntly at 10 O'clock, with Speaker
Rvrd presiding. Communications from