Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-03-08
SIXTY DAY TERM OF
LEGISLATURE ENDS
Genera| Assembly Of lhs Slate
VIII Continue In Session, How.
ever, TIL Next Thursday,
NEARLY 1000 BILLS puT IN BOX
Work of sitting Out These Measures
Has Been SIEVE Task for the Leg
fslntors-somc of the Most Import
ant Bills Which Have Become Laws
INSURANCE Bill Saved.

INSURANCE Bill Saved.
| RICHMOND. IA. March The 60
day term prescribed by the conslltu-
/ ton for tho regular session of the
general assembly expired at IL o'clock
{ tonight. While the members will CON
t.nue active legislative work until
! March 18th. pursuant to the Joint res
clnt'on extending tho session. ii has
/ been agreed that no original bills are
I TO be considered i'm either house. and
only those that have been fayorably
acted on in one branch and referred
| TO the other FOR concurrence will be
taken mp. The calenua's OF both
houses are still crowded. but the bills
, now remaining TO be be considered
are largely OF local interest
Tho session has been an extremely
busy one. Tho legislature lost no
time when II assembled on January
Sth, In getting down to work. and has
kept AT it. hammer and tongs, for
every moment since Possibly as
many rs seventeen hund'cd bills have
been introduced In the two houses.
have been referred to committees ana
given consideration. The work OF leg
islators in sitting ont these measures
/. after they were reported and put on
the calendars has been terrific, but
effective. 1t can he fatty stated that
few bills of general interest have
lacked discussion. and few of general
welfare have failed of passage.
investigations.
The investigation of the fitness or
Judge Rhca to he a member of the
corporation commission, and the time
consumed in discussing the reports OF
the Investigating committee. as also
the ENHANCEMENT developed by the
presentation of charges against Judge
| Blackstone. seriously interrupted the
program of legislative work, but were
disposed OF in due course. Such leg
islative Investigations can hardly be
said to have benin contemplation by
the trainers of the constitution when
the sessions of the general assem-
/ 10y WHY ipi.'tu W wv u0y lHtlt
may be many legislatures before Il
similar condition may arise at least
1t is not reasonable to presume that
each assembly will be called upon 10
inquire into the character and fitness
of the Virginia judiciary, or of any
other state officials.
III has been persistently suggested
ever since the constitution was adopt
ed. that the sessions should be eX-
tended 10 80 days. A joint rcsolu-
ton has been adopted 10 submit the
| question to the voters of the state. A
glance over the calendars at this time
would hardly justify the conclusion
that the general assembly needed an
additional so days to complete it's la
bo's. In fact. its work, except for a
few Finishing touches ana the dis
position of the Blackstone case, may
now be said 10 be all in.
! Here are some of the principal
measures of general interest that have
been passed by both houses and sent
to tine governor for signature:
To conform the state militia to pro-
visions of the Federal law known us
The Dick bill.
App'opriating s125.OOO annually ia
the sinking fund to pay the state debt
Lassistcr Withcrs bill to sentence
two year convicts TO labor on public
roads.
| Repeal restriction as to parallclina
the Richmond. fredericksburg & Po-
tomac Railroad.
Regulating admission of evidence IN
cases arising under Tho unwriitcn law
| App opriating S25O,OOO of state funds
to aid public roads.
Increase of pensions to old soldier.
by $4,000.
For normal instruction in higl
schools of state
| Provide for working jail birds OF
public roads of the state.
Relieving coastwisc vessels from
payment OF pilot charges ana p~ovid
Ing Increase of fees on foreign yes.
sells.
Byrd liquor bill. increasing licens,
ana restriction aud enforcing prohibit
tiou In rural Districts.
\ Making il a felony 10 sell or dis
tpcnsc cocaine. except for licensed