The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-08
SENATE

SENATE
The Senate convened promptly at 1:
o'clock, and the session was opened
with prayer by the Rev. Dr. j.. r.. Nc
| Faden. Nearly the entire time OF the
luppe.lbranch was consumed by the final
| consideration of the Sims bill, provid-
ing for the repeal Of the statute pro-
thibiting the paralleling Of the Rich
mond, Fredericksburg and Potomac
| Railroad.
Senator Edmondson called up his res
olution relative to placing the national
and State flags behind the presidents
chair in the Senate chamber, and 1t
was unanimously passed.
Senator Ward asked that Tuesday be
set as a time for hearing on bills
Nos "a. CT and So. prescribing the
qualifications of voters In special and
| local option elections. 1t was impor
tant he said that his matter be
| passed upon at the earliest possible
moment because OF the many petitions
| regarding local option elections which
| have been presented to the Senate. The
Senator is anxious to have these bills
become law before any OF the proposed
elections could take place.
Only few new measures We're In
| troduced. Senator Hobbs offered one
to prohibit the manufacture or use OF
any but safety matches in virginia.
Most of the others were of local
| character Only one bill. which on mo-
| ton of Senator Lassiter was called up
out OF its order. was passed. This re-
lates to the working of more convicts
| on the public roads, and authorizes the
employment OF the necessary guards to
| manage such force, not to exceed
| forty-five.
Repeal Bill.
At the hour set for the fourth hear
ing of the Sims Richmond. Fredericks-
burg and Potomac repeal act, Senator
Halsey took the floor and continued
the argument for his substitute. He
called the attention of the Senate to
the fact that the assets Of the Rich
nlond. fredericksburg and Potomac
Railroad have been increasing in value
FOR many years; in 1889 they were
sl2a, 900, and in 1907, s62s.694.S0. He
believed that the increase would con-
tinue for some time to come: but under
the Sims bill he declared the Senate
was asked to impair and perhaps de-
stroy the interest of the State in this
valuable line. He wanted to know
upon what facts the chairman of the
Finance Committee had based his opin
ion. that the State would not lose
cent by the repeal--an opinion in direct
opposition to the views Of men who
are in close touch with the finances
of the State, and who have made 4
thorough investigation OF the matter
before expressing their views.
Continuing, the speaker said that
Senator Sims had made an appeal for
the section OF the country which he
represented. but according TO an indus
trial issue of Fredericksburg paper.
which he held in his hand. and which
at the instance of the Business Mems
Association was distributed among the
members OF the Senate when Fred
ericksburg was endeavoring to get an
appropriation from the Legislature for
the establishment of normal school
last week. 1t would seem that Fred
ericksburg was neither dead nor asleep
lie proceeded to read extracts from the
paper, showing that the city lii ques-
ton is not Disseminated against by
any means, and that her factories are
not closed down, awaiting new line
More Monopoly Than Ever.
Furthermore. the Senator from
Lynchburg compared the increase in
population OF Fredericksburg since tho
war, which was 25 per cent, with that
of Petersburg. and Alexandria. both of
and both OF which had increased at a
much slower rate than Fredericksburg,
according to population. He claimed
that ii the new line We're built which
he doubted very much. it would not
help Fredericksburg materially. no new
territory would be developed, and con-
ditions would practically be the same
The unconditional repeal and the grant
ing to the Goulds of q charter would
create more Of monopoly than now
exists. he declared. The Goulds owned
all the water power between Peters,
burg and Washington, and by allow
ing them the right to build this line,
with no condition attached. the Senate
hold. not only over the head Of the
Richmond, Fredericksburg and Poto-
mac. but also over the entire State as
we'll.
Senator Halsey concluded by enter
ing his solemn pro test against the re-
peal and asked the Senate to consider
his motion.
Others Speak.
Senator Edmondson#followe and in
MS speech for the unconditional res
peal. brought forth the only applause
OF the day. He said that at first he
was inclined to think that the repeal
was not O good move. but he had grad
ually worked around and w<s now,
heartily In sympathy with it. He
spoke OF the many investments OF the
Goulds in Virginia, and said the State
ought, by. her open policy, to encour-
age, not only the Goulds. but every
other capitalist. to come to Virginia.
Tho Richmond, Frederickshurg and
Potomac charter, he said. was living on
borrowed" time, and now the moment
had come to kill 1t. AT the conclusion
OF his speech Senator Edmondson was
warmly applauded by both members
and visitors Z. 81 s