The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-03-01
SENA7E

Prayer by Rev. II. D. C. MacIachlan
opened yesterdays session OF the se,-
ate at I O'clock
Favorable reports wero received on
the House bill providing for the work
} ing of roads in Henrico county and a
biii TO allow bond issue in Ports
mouth for schoolhouses.
a resolution was brought forward bv
senator Sale rendering the thanks OF
the General Assembly to Beverley b.
Nunford for his recent book. Setting
Forth the Attitude of Virginia as TO
Slavery"
This resolution seeks but to paw
just tribute to splendid work, the
result OF great research said Senator
Sale. at IS the fruit OF the hard labor
. and scholarly effort OF former men,
Der of the General Assembly. The VOL
ume shows the attitude of Virginia on
the slavery question correctly for the
first time"
Joining in the tribute. Senator Folks
referred to Mr.. Munford in high terms,
and pointed out that especial credit
was due to the author. since he had
labored under the harassment Of i'm
paired health.
Praising the vindica,ion oLyirginia's
attitude brought out by the book, SEN
ator Rison seconded the resolution.
which was unanimously adopted.
Rniiroud Charter Repeal.
Senator Echo!s presented the re-
port of the special joint committee
appointed to confer with the officials
of the Richmond. Fredericksburg and
Potomac Railroad and also introduced
the bills drawn up by the committee.
which were referred TO the Committee
on Roads and Internal Navigation.
The following bills then We're
passed. The Ward bill amending the
act providing license on moving pic
ture shows; the Lesner BILL changing
the name of the Northern Branch OF
the Elizabeth River 70 Lafayette RlV-
er: the Lincoln bill, providing that
certain Federal Office holders may hold
municipal Offices also; the Wickham
bin. requiring the providing of seats
for female employees; the King bill,
relative to the re-enterng of assessed
lands; the sale bill. providing an
amendment to the Constitution so that
towns and cities may avail thems elves.
IL desired, Of a commission form of
government.
a number of uncontested bills We're
ordered to be engrossed.
Debate took place on the sale bill,
nropoSing an amenunent 10 tHe Soi-
stitu,ion, so as to enable cities and
towns to avoil themselves of a COM
mission form OF government
Senator Hart entered into caustic
criticism of that form of municipal
government. He said that he was OPP
posed to tearing to shreds the Con-
stitution without first trying 1t, and
that this innovation ought, on that
ground to be turned down. He be-
lieved that such form of govern
ment is not Democratic. 1T comes
firm the land of the grasshopper and
the cyclone, where 1T has been fall
ure,'' he said: TT has not worked in
Galveston, it's chief stronghold. and
every objection that was argued 70
the old form of government caa now
be urged against the commission
form. We are departing from repre-
sentative government and going back
to arbitrary rule. do not believe
in submitting this question to the peo-
pie for they do not always perceive
the underlying principle when they
vote on such changes"
Amendment Adopted.
A vigorous defense was set up by
Senator Sale. who pointed out many
cities where the system had worked
successfully, naming Staunton, among
others, as city which had worked
we'll under a modified form of muni-