The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1908-02-25
LEGISLATIVE

A resolution passed nxing Tuesday
nixht a. the tims for hearing the report
Of ths Investigating committee In the
Rhca case. There viii be two reports,
the majority Tor confirmation being
large.
The Byrd bill amending the liquor
laws was amended In the Senate Finance
Committee and reported iavorably. A
lat license Of four hundred and fifty dol
lors was fixed. No sunday, election day
or Christmas selling. and TO close at
midnight a=d open al IN the morning
Attorney B. A. Lewis. representing the
petitioners in the charges made against
Judge Blackstone. rested his case, not
caring TO call many persons whose
names have been mentioned in the hear
ing and who may have been indiscreet
in some OF their acts. He did this for the
reason that the charges have been proven
aud TO eOntinus further would mean the
dragging down of Others.
The oct creating the Board OF Fisheries
has been amended. IL changes the name
Of the board to the Commission Of Fish
cries, and appropriates $4,000 for the
maintenance and eQuipme 1t. Delegate
Bowman is the patron. ana the bill cor
responds TO the one offered 10 the upper
branch by Senator hale
The Williams bin to re-enact the old
Wharton Insurance law was passed IT,
the House. The measure seeks to prevent
the combination Of insurance companies
Tor the purpose OF maintaining rates. IL
now goes to the Senate. The vote IN the
House was As 70 30.
The House passed the Senate bin pro
viding for normal instruction in the
high schools of the State The bill per-
mits the establishment OF department
for normal Instruction in at least one
high school in each county or city. ami
apprOpristes Sl7 900 for putting the
scheme into effect. The purpose OF the
measure is to relieve the famine OF
teachers in the rura! sections by provid-
ing Increased facilities of instructing per
sons for such positions. The bill goes 70
the Governor for his signature.
Over 1000 bills have been presented
and the number that have received The
approval OF committees In both branches
aud signed by the presiding officers are
lew. Less than a dozen OF these are bills
OF general interest. For some reason the
sessions do not commence before noon
until near the end Of the session. There
are some members who believe that more
could be accomplished by having the ses-
sions open st 10 O'Clock and continue TO
?. leaving the afternoons and evenings
for COMMITTEES work.
The holding Of IN extra session does
not appeal with much force TO the mem-
bers. Many Of the older men are favor
- - 4
while there are some who want to com
pei the Governor to convens the body IN
extra session and 10 warrant them in
drawing pay for the extra thirty days
to get $3.50. whether they are here ten
days are thirty. Gov Swanson Is against
any such business. The cost OF an ex-
ira session of thirty days would reach
close TO $50 COO. and Il would not De q
guarantee that any measures Of cOnse-
quence would be enacted II It were held
The Republicans are dead against an ex-
ira session.
Virginia Is TO spend $3.50, 600 annually
on her roads. IN addition TO the working
of convicts on the highways. The SEN
a'e has adopted the House bill which
provides Tor the expenditure. The distrl-
button Is TO be made on the basis OF the
revenue paid by the counties OF the State
into the public treasury. Senator Sims
was patron Of similar measure in the
senate, for which the Committee on
Roads substituted the House bill he
criticised the House amendment, but did
not think il OF sufficient Importance 70
provoke q disagreement WITH the House
Mr.. Moncure, OF stafford. introduced =
bill 10 amend and re-enact an act TO work
and keep in repair the roads and bridges
in Stafford.
BY Mr. Powers-Providing for the col
lection OF cspitatiOn taxes, etc.
BY Mr.. Taliaierro-To authorize coun-
" school boards TO loan TO the district
school boards OF their respective counties
funds belonging 10 said county school
board, derived by gift or devise. taking
the obligation of district school board
for same.
The House advanced the bin which
makes railroad companies liable for dam
ages for fires resulting from sparks from
their engines.