Evening star., 1909-08-29

is made and the grounds opened to fuller
and more profitable working.
The establishment Of board to equal
ize the tax values and 70 apply the same
valuation TO the same objects in all parts
Of the state. In some portions Of the
state cattle are valued as low as IS a
head, and in others the average is treble
that amount. Beef cattle are assessed at
the lower figure and are sold at an aver
age Of $25 head. There are other fla
grant cases of inequality Of values. The
board Is to have general charge Of the
matter of adjusting taxes.
The Introduction of q modern and COM
prehensive system Of bookkeeping in the
state departments. The speaker wants to
have the old system employed at this time
replaced with a scheme whereby 1t will be
possible to transact the business of the
state with considerably less waste OF time
than is demanded and required by the
cumbersome method obtaining at present.
The creation Of the department Of bank
Ing so that corps OF bank examiners will
be employed and the banks subjected at
for the benefit and protection OF the de-
positors. This is demanded for the bene.
fit Of the farmers and business men in the
smaller villages and towns OF the state
which have the privilege of doing business
wholly with state banks.
"TheSe are the things which I think
will receive consideration at the hands
of the lawmakers. being the more i'm
portant." said Mr.. Byrd. There will be
other matters. of course, but those that
I have mentioned will. to my way OF
thinking. be among the matters to first
engage the attention OF the members"
Mr.. Byrd expressed the belief that
there will be very little legislation affect
ing the liquor interest next winter. de-
claring that the laws at this time are
ample and have given general satisfac-
ton. About the only change that will
be made will be to have each county
and city made unit in a local option
election, permitting all the people to vote
in every case where there is not a sepa-
rate and distinct county or city govern
ment. Under the change that will follow
it will he impossible for many OF the dis
pensaries now operating in this state to
continue business, as the entire county
and not a solitary magisterial district
will have a voice In the retention or re-
lection of the dispensary.
Legislative Positions.
An interesting fight developed in the
last few days. when Raleigh r. Green,
editor of the Culpeper Exponent. and one
state, whose paper championed Judge
Mann in the last primary. announced
that he was a candidate for the position
of clerk Of the house In opposition to
John w. Williams of Giles. who has held
the position for number OF years. Mr..
Williams comes from the ninth district,
which is largely represented in the legis-
lature by republicans, whereas Mr. Green
will come from section which is repre-
scented by democrats. It is reported that
Mr.. Green will have the support Of some
of the foremost organization leaders.
though 1t is known that Speaker Byrd
will rally to the support Of Mr.. Williams:
The fight has already begun to attract
attention from the friends Of the two
gentlemen, and there is no telling what
the result will be.
Marshall B. Booker of Halifax, who
has been clerk OF the senate since Col.
Button was made insurance commission
er will be candidate for reelection,
and he has already been assured of some
thirty or more votes.
Col. s. M. Newhouse of Culpeper will
be retained as sergeant-at-arms of the
lotte will be retained in a similar posi-
ton in the senate. Samuel NJ. Donald Of
Staunton will be doorkeeper OF the SEN
ate.
Will Build Locomotives.
The welcome news was published here
a few days ago that an order for forty
local plant OF the American Locomotive
Company. The engines are for the Balti-
more and Ohio and the Norfolk and West
ern roads. The Baltimore and Ohio gets
thirtyfour Of the engines for freight
service, especially for the handling OF
Western will get six OF the fastest en-
gines that can be built for the passen-
ger service between the cities of Ro-
anoke and Norfolk. This latter step was
necessary because of the opening OF the
Virginian railway and the reduction Of
seaside. The order calls for the delivery
of the entire number. 1oy the last OF Ocs