The Washington herald., 1908-01-12
new BILLS OFFERED
Virginia Assembly Now at
Work in Earnest.
COMMITTEES ARE APPOINTED
senator strobe Wants a CuFtaiIment
of Sunday Trains in the State-DeI-
egate Williams Would Have the
Code Of Laws Revised for the
Benefit of the POpulace.

Special to The Washington Herald
Richmond, Va, Jan. 1.-THE two houses
Of the general assembly were called TO
order at noon.
Senator Sims offered a resolution dis
charging the committee from further con-
sideration of the bill to repeal the law
forbidding the paralleiling Of the Rich
mond, fredericksburg and Potomac Rail-
road and to refer the bin to the COM
mittee on roads. The resolution was
adopted.
Senator Sale presented a bill creating
the Office Of civil justices in cities of
$4,000 population and over, and defining
the duties of such magistrates.
Senator Strobe presented a bin making
it unlawful to operate trains other than
passenger and mail trains and cars Of live
stock and perishable goods on Sunday and
providing penalties therefor.
Personnel of Committees.
Senator Sale submitted the list of the
standing committees Of the Democratic
caucus Immediately following the session
Of the Senate. The assignments are as
follows:
Privileges and elections-Sale Mann, Rison Holt,
Sims. Hobbs. Halsey. Early, King Edn.aBdsen, and
McAlexandeF
Courts Of iustice--AIann. Walker. Rison Lassiter.
Sims. Wickh1m. Strobe. Haisey, Holland, Tucker,
King Saunders. and Noel.
General laWs-Guuter. Sale. Garrett. Hobbs,
Folkes Peras Garter Ward, Hart, Edmundsen,
Iaguer Lincoln. and tna5e-
Roads and internal navigation Harman, Eehols,
Lassiter Sims Strobe Parks Hart, White, Garter,
Watkins. Edmundssn, GTayatt, Thornton, Ward, and
Lesner.
Fiusnoe-Kezen. Garrett, sale. Holt. Echols Har-
mar. Mann Wlckham. Halseg. Early. Fletcher.
Elam and Holland.
Public institutions and education-Rison. KeezsI.
Gunter. Sale Holt Echols. LAssiteE, Strode. Walker,
King Early. Tucker. Thornton. FOlkes. and lincoln
County Cltv and town organization -Hobhs. Wick
ham, Folkes. White. lesner. tletcheT, Gragatt,
Hart, Garter, Noel, and str0thar.
Agriculture. mining and manufacture larratJs
Guuter. Graratt Watkins. Elan. Fletcher Edmond
SON. Early StrUther. and lincoln
Fish aud game Walker. Keszell, Gunter, Harnan,
Wckh4m Saunders. Holland Wand. White. GIag-
att and Parsons.
Insurance and baHkiug-Holt. Rison Lssner.
Keezen. Saunders. White, Strobe, Elam, Watkins,
Thornton and Strotbst
Enrolled bus-WIckham. CARAT. Tucker, Wat
To examine clerks office OF seHate-Parks, Garter,
and lincoln.
Rules-Presiasnt Of the senate. president pro
TEN and chairman q committee On privileges and
elections
Executive ezpenait1res-strode, Holland. and
Chase
Librarv-sims. sale. and Walker.
To examine Office Il auditor Of public accounts
FOXES Edm0uds5u, ana NoeL
To examine second auditors ofloe-EaFy, OraFatt,
and McAlexander
To examine oaee Of register Of the land ofhcs-
King Hobhs ard Parsons.
TO canine treasurer's oaioe-LesnsF. Holt. and
Keeze1
To ezarans bonds Of public otaoer-Ecaois, Gar
Tatt HuG Holland.
Printing -Halssy, Hobbs. and HaHnan
joint committee On special private. ana local
legisati0n-Lazsitsr. Mann. Wand. Tucker, and
NOEL.
Approve of Merger.
The members OF the Senate are express
ing approval of the measure 10 merge
Greene County with Albemarle, which
Senator Early is 10 propose and advo-
cate. There are many members who be-
lieve that the taxpayers of many Of the
small counties would welcome such G
movement as It would mean the saving
20 them Of q good deal Of money, result
In the reduction Of the county tax rate.
and lose nothing 20 the counties except
the loss of a few county officers.
The terms Of the courts would not be
interfered with to, any extent Senator
early said to-day that one Of the big
advantages 10 be gained by having his
county made a part Of the county OF
Albemarle was that children in what is
now the county Of Greene would be per-
mitted to attend the splendid Miller
School. which is closed 10 all except those
whose homes are in the county Of Abe
marie.
Senator Sale has provided a bill for
the creation Of a State tax commission.
The bill is similar to that offered by him
at the last session, It provides for a
commission Of three members 10 be elect
ed by the two houses in joint session.
the members 10 serve for a term OF six
years. one TO be chosen at each session
Of the general assembly.
The commissioners are to keep on file
copies OF all reports OF commissioners OF
the revenue. and shall equalize taxes
t4AiOtAA4BAl AAS DtdtCs ne bllt At4 44ltS
the commissioners to visit each county
and city in the State at least once in
four years TO investigate the assessments
and TO ascertain II there Is a correct valu-
alton on the lands Of such county.
To Revise Laws.
Delegate Martin Williams presented a
bill in the house asking that three per-
sons be appointed by the general assem-
bly, who shall revise and digest the code
OF the Commonwealth. AS reason for
the presentation OF such a bill Williams
sets forth that it is hard for lawyers 70
know what is the law, and that the aver
age citizen and justice of the peace, In
his ineKperience and without special
knowledge, cannot know.
The object Of the proposed legislation
is to have the laws revised, compiled, and
published in as concise a manner as pos
sible by the State. The revisers Of the
laws shall receive 5000 each as eompen-
sation for their services. They are TO
report to the next general assembly.
Salisbury Bank Prosperous