Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1910-03-17
The Legislature.

assembly yesterday faced one OF the most
remarkable parliamentary 81 u'lions 10
the history OF the COMMIT NV alth. The
fatal illness OF S,nstor John Warwick
Daniel, coming while the legislature Is
10 constructive session ouly, and upon
the eve OF Hoal adj urnment, has crested
an unparalleled problem.
Under the circumstances the legisle-
tors vent to the bottom OF the situation
and bsudled 1t according to their best
ability. If politics vas played, 1t was
because 1t seemed necessary.
Ia few words, the situation last night
was this: Should vacancy occur before
the adjournment sine die Of the legisls.
ture, the governor cannot appoint, since
he can only fill Ia this way Offices made
vacant during recess OF the general ss-
sembly. In that csse Virginia will have
but one representative In the United
Ststss Seua.e until the legislature OF
1912 assemblies, unless the governor
should call az extra session at an APP
proxImsie cost Of $40, 600.
The only possible hope OF avoiding
either horn OF the dilemma would be The
presence before midnight tjOight and
the Affirmative votes of three-6iths OF
The members OF both houses on the OUTS
ton OF still further extending the PRES.
ent session. Nearly all Of the members
are at The 4 homes, and II 10 Tecoguizsd
that 1t would BIZ herculeaD task to
secure q sufficient attendance before the
time comes when the session will end by
limitation.
Ab,ut week ago both houses adopted
a resoIu lon, which received a three
hlths recorded so;e in each, extending
the session FIVE days from last Saturday
for the purpose OF complying with the
provision Ct the constitution as ID Sign
ing bills 10 the presence Of The members.
The session would thus end BY limitc-
lion tonight at midnight.
Farther exte sIops can be had only 10
the same way; that lie, twenty-fcut sen.
alors snd sixty delegates must before
midnight record themselves for al ex
tension. 1t vas ct once recognized tbs It
to secure the presence OF 30 many would
be almost On ImpossibilIty In 60 short a
time.
II has been we'll settled, It 10 under
ct lod, 10 a cniest 10 the UoiIed Sta es
5eosle, that q governor cspuot appoint
If vacancy occnrs while the legislature
Is 10 session. The Virginia general Be-
semblY Is &C ually in session, although
but few members we're Ia the city yes
tsrday. II WAS at once seen that II Seu
ator Daniel should die before the time
fixed for adjournment, and should no
election take place before that tine,
there would be a vacancy In Virginia's
representation for the next two years.
The only way 10 which this could be
avoided would be sn extra session called
by the governor. This ia estmsted to
cos! fully $40, 900, since every member
will receive $3.50, even II ne remains but
one day. There 10 milesge, officers
salaries and q host OF detail expenses.
Altogether, the situation was not one
csltu sted TO promote peace. 1t was
further complicated by repeated rumors
that Senator Daniel was dead.
As result OF the early conferences q
resolution vas passed by the II use
directing CLERK Williams ID request the
absent members to report as soon az pcs
sible, but this was not acted upon by the
Senate. Further meetings held on the
sal jet apparently resulted In no sou.
tlop, siucs adjournment was merely tad
until todsy, aud this would perhap, have
been The case bad there been no outside
event.
Three sessions of the II use we're held
during the day. At noon the reading Of
the journal vas dispensed With, and on
motion Of Mr.. Cox the chair was vacated
until 1890, to give the lieuiensnt-gcV-
ernor an oppor u lity 10 sign the last oil
the enrolled bills.
As soon as the House met again,
which was not uatil O'Clock, Major j.
N. Stubbs, OF Gil, ;ester, offered the fol-
loving resolution which we're adopted;
"Bslpg spprlssd OF the desperate Ill.
ness of John Warwick Daniel, United
s .ates s .nalor, and learning that his de.
! mise Is momeusarily expected, the mem
beers 10 attendance upon The legislature
oil 1910 feel tha! they are expressing the
spontaneous Wish OF sill VTginians 10
urging the Legislature to be 10 session 10
order thai the represents yes OF Virginia
may be enabled, by proper resolntion
and By their personal presence, to pay
the last honor to the las, representative
10 nj sloual sffairs who links Virginia's
present With her glorious and splendid
past.
Therefore, be 1t resolved, That The
clerk OF the House be Instructed to In
medistely use all tffMts Ia order that q
Sufficient number of members be present
on Thursday, the l7Ih, TO extend the
session 10 accordance Win the constllu-
tioDal provision for the extension oil the
sessions OF the general assembly"
The bills having arrived from the Sen
ate, they were signed by the speaker,
and the Ii use rose until 4 o'clock.
Major S.ubbs was asked 10 communl. |
cate the resolution to the Senate, but
hat tody adjourned to 4 o'clock Withou!
taking action.
Only three members were on that side
of the Capitol. Lieutenant Governor
Ellyson signed the remainder Of the bills,
this marking the completion of this part
Of the work OF the general assembly.
When the time came for the eitsrnoou
session q committee Of conference on the
stu, ton mst 10 the Senate cloakToom.
Present were all the members OF the two |
htu,es vino we're In sight. Possibilities
a. 4, oattIno a nunyum nYesent bv 10. /