The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-02-08
Williams Comedies That
Bill Does N OF Vic.
late Constitution.
ANOTHER HEARING
ON DIVORCE LA w
Measure Goes Back to Commit
dee After Hard Fight in
House-Tertilizcr Bill
Warmly Debated.
Senate Has Busy
Session.

Conceding that the Baker bill cx-
tending state aid to the proposed home
for wayward girls is probably consti-
tutional. and giving IL the benefit of
the doubt. Judge Martin Williams said
last night that he would interpose no
further objection to its passage. This
attitude IS the result of the applica-
tion TO the bill OF section 81 OF the
Constitution, which, while forbidding
appropriation OF public funds to in
stitutions controlled in any manner by
a church or sectarian society. makes
an exception in favor of non-sectatian
institutions for the reform of youth
ful criminals.
Referring TO the financial situation.
Judge Williams said that inasmnch as
the bill has the Endorsement of the
Finance Committee. which IS presumed
to he fully acquainted with the re-
sources of the State. he would with
draw his opposition to the appropri-
alton. 1t is now expected that when
the bill comes UP on its final passage
to-day 1t will be passed
Divorce BIZ Reconmittcd.
over the protest of members of the
Committee for Courts OF Justice. the
House yesterday, by vote OF two to
one, sent the divorce bill back TO the
committee for further investigation
! and to hear the arguments OF those
! who decided to oppose It,
The debate on the motion to recon-.
| NIT consumed one hour Of the time OF
| the House, and was earnestly combat
ed by Chairman Rosewell page. OF
| the Courts Committee. A public hear
| ing on the question will be held to-
morrow night in the courtroom OF the
State Corporation Commission. when
| all of those who desire TO be heard
on either side viii be given an oppor-
| tunity to speak.
| Mr. Page argued that the opposition
came from those who did not under
stand the prov.sions of the bill. and he
cited some ridiculous mistakes made
| by prominent ministers. urging rnem-
/ bers OF the House to vote against tile
| bill. He said that the present law pro-
| notes all sorts of immortality and that
| the proposed change was q matter of
right and of simple justice to every-
! body
| on the other hand. Messrs. Cooke
| and thinner. who led the forces Of
those who desired to recomm!t. con-
tended that the bill was a dangerous
departure from existing standards. and
would promote desertion and tend 70
break up the homes. Their belief that
the bill had not received due consid-
Grafton In committee caused their
that its opponents might he heard
They argued for new hearing. and
their plea was looked upon favorahly
by a majority OF the ner:5ers.
Another BuI Sent Bnck.
The bill providing for additionsi
counsel to prosecute the State debt
TO IA f,
the House. and was recommitted TO
the Committee on Finance. Chairman
| Bowman said he had no objection to
] this action. IT is understood that some
parties desire to appear against the
! bill on the ground that the State had
previously agreed not to spend money
for this purpose, but to allow the cx-
pense to be borne by the holders of
| certificates.
One more important bill got a hear
| ing in the House. 1t was that OF Mr..
Adams, at the instance of the State
4 Board of Agriculture, providing for
| ten instead of six fertilizer inspectors.
and increasing the salaries OF these
officials. III spite of the fact that the
money for this purpose comes from
| the fertilizer tag tax. considerable op-
4 position was aroused. and Judge Will
! lfams took occasion to speak his mind
regarding the expenses of sundry State
| departments, which. he said, were
| spending too much money under the
/ plea that the people Were not footing
/ the bills
No vote was had, adjournment being
reached befoye the debate was con.
cluded.
| No bills were finally passed in tho
House. several Senate bills being ad-
vanced.
Routine In Senate.
The Senate had a dose Of the same
sort which the House has been swal-
lowing Tor a week-routine work
| Three minor House bills were passed
and bunch OF bills. both Senate and
House, were advanced on the calendar
An afternoon session was held, at
which a long string of Senate bills
4 passed their first reading.
II Is considered likely that the first
| public hearing on the strobe liquor
| bill will be held on Wednesday, OF next
week before tho Senate Committee on
Privileges and Elections. The date
has not. however. been tinallv set. No
such bill has as vet appeared in the
| House.
Coca cola may be taxed IL Speaker
| Byrd has his way, Before the House
II
advocated 4taN on the festive drink,
| which may put itaant NJ bnsin"ss in
some OF tho smaller fountains 1t was
stated that ono Richmond merchant
! sells $4,000 worth of 1t in one Year.
Taxing incomes. @
one OF the most Important House
bills which has yetareacl,ed the cal,
4 endar was reported Yesterday from
4 the Finance Committee ltis that al
Mr.. West, OF Nansemond, comprising i
1 plan by which it's patron believea tina,
incomes can be fairly and fully as
sessed, A few minor amendments were
made in committee, but the principal
features are intact, making tlseS tan
payer III out out y separate blank when
4 listing his income and itemizinr .hls
resources from all Investments and
earnings. Grand lurics are required
tcontinucd on Third l'ag ge,)