The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-02-20
Large Majority Is Re-
corded Against Much
Advertised Bill.
BRIBERY CHARGE
w AS EXPLAINED
Merely Transaction Between At.
torney and Client-Bill Aimed
at Standard Oil Senate
Works on Routine Mat
tcrs--Hotcl Bill Passes
House.

After attracting moro attention
than any other one measure before
The Legislature at this session, and
hrousing opposition from the press
and pulpit generally the Rison bill
amending the divorce laws of Virginia
went down in defeat in the House OF
delegates yesterday. The vote to
strike the bill from the calendar was
taken after an impassioned debate. In
which the bill was attacked by seye.
raj speakers and defended by Chair
man Roosevelt Page. of the Committee
ior Courts OF Justice. and one of the
strongest men in the Legislature
The opponents OF the bill based
Sneir attacks on the belief that the
passage OF the measure would create
new cause for divorce in this state,
would act as an incentive for dcser-
lion by husband or wife, and would
tend to destroy the homes. Mr.. Page
dissentcd from this view and SAID
mat In his opinion # was bill In
inc interest OF common humanity. But
inc sentiment which has been aroused
during tho past ten days was too
great. and tho majority for Diminishing
the measure was overwhelming.
Looked Like bribery.
what appeared at first TO be n most
sen.atiopal feature was IL statement
made by a member OF the House. G.
Bruce Johnson, OF Russell County, that
he had been offered $500 10 vote for
this bill. Before he had concluded his
remarks several members had begun
the preparation of resolutions provid-
ing for q Legislative investigation of
the attempted bribery.
Pending this. Mr.. Cox asked Mr..
johnson IL he had understood him 10
say that he had been offered the sum
;u question 10 vo.e for tho measure.
lic replied In tho affirmative
The incident aroused intense indis-
nation. Mr.. Clement ;Eaulrcd of Mr..
Johnson II i,s were willing TO make
his statement tcfors = grand jury.
lie replied that nc would do so. II
was at once determined to thorough
~ look into an effort to bribe inenf-
bcr OF tho General Assembly OF Viz
Einia, body which has always been
above charges of this sort
Later. however, the matter was
rlcared up By a PERSONAL explanation
by idr. Johnson. In the heat OF de-,
bate lie mad not made himself clearly
understood. Tho man in question. who
had been hIs client, and was separated
from his wife. had requested that he
vote for the bill. and had said that
he would pay $500 to him as his law
ser IL under 1t he co;.ld secure ;;n abb
solute divorce. 1t was merely trans
notion between lawyer and client. MI.
johnson said he did not know that
there was anything wrong in II. but
that IL there was he would be VIII
ing to tell grand jury what had hap
pened.
Many New Measures.
No less than ono hundred and two
new bills made their way to the desks
of the clerks yesterday. this being the
last day for the introduction Of new
measures. Thirty-nine of these were
In the Senate: the remainder. OF
course. in the House. Many of them
arc of tho first Importance. the ma
jority being local or special bills
ono OF the most important measures
was that offered by Speaker Byrd. pro-
yidinE for the inspection of all kero-
seue and other Illuminating oils sold
in this State. The State Corporation
is to appoint an oil in
spcctor. who Is to have assistants, in.
Guiding n chemist. To defray the ca
penses OF this work charge OF half
cent gallon Is to be made. It is
quito evident to the lay mind that in
addition to paying the expenses. such
a tax would yield an immense revenue
to the state. The Speaker said he had
made no computation as to the amount
which would be realized.
Tho Senate put in a dav of the same
sort. which have several times bored
the sessions OF the House. 1t attended
to routine business Several minor
bills were passed. and a number OF
others advanced on their respective
readings The business of the session
was most dull and uninterestinG, al
though many necessary matters were
of. There was no debate onI
the tax question, the King bill being
made special order for tomorrow.
Hotel Bill Carried.
In addition to disposlng of tho So
called divorce BILL tile House settled
quite number of other matters. The
famous hotel bill was passed with but
few opposing votes. and now goes to
Tho Senate, where perchance its eight
foot sheets will appeal to those Sena-
.ors who have stopped ut some of the
hotels in the State at which the meas
ire is aimed.
The House also took its final action
n reference to the proposed amend
were first acted on favorably by the
asst Legislature. This is what is |
the enabling act. Provision
s made for vote OF the people on the
questions at the next regular election.
There was opposition to tho enabling
.ct on the part of only a few MEM
lcrs.
The amendments to be thus presented
% the people are; TO allow city and
ounty treasurers to succeed themselves
to allow city and county
commissioners of the revenue to be
|lected by the popular vote and to sue
Iced themselves, to extend the time
IL sessions of the General Assembly |
Irom sixty to ninety days; to provide
hat bills need be read in full only
lnce in the Legislature. instead of three
lines, as at present,
Relatives ms Teachers.
An interesting matter came before
DO House in the form of Senate
to a House bill concerningI