The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-02-17
SENA1E

Prayer by Rev j. J. Scherer opened
the session of the Senate.
Several prohibition petitions were
received. Pctitioned Was also received
lnond and Manchester protesting
against tho passage OF the Rison d.
vorce bill.
Senator Halsey thought the joint
resolution agreeing to the proposed IN
come tax amendment to the Constitu-
tion OF the United States ought to be
placed among the third reading Senate
bills on the calendar, because a joint
resolution does not have to be read
thrice. but President Ellyson ruled
1t is, among the frat reading bills.
The Senate agreed 10 joint reso.
luton OF the House fixing the cleo
tion of civil justices for Richmond
confirmation of the nomination OF j.
Richard Wingfield to the State Cor
poration Commission at o'clock.
When the tax commission bill came
Senator Sims wished to amend tho
bin 80 as to make the pay of tho
financial expert $500 per month. 1t
was OF extreme importance TO get an
exceedingly capable man for this po-
sition. for he VIII have more time
to give to the work than the, mem
bers OF the commission
Not n Mere Clerk.
Tho work OF the commission. he
pointed out. would anec, every citi-
zen, and every material interest OF
the state. 1t Will bear on the pros
perity and happiness OF generations 10
come. 1t is, therefore. necessary 10
get an exceptionally able expert, who
practice of other states. He should be
man of the highest calibre," not a
mere clerk or secretary.
The salary of $500 per month pro-
yided in the Holland amendment would
be. he thought. insufficient to secure
such a man. 1t would be the poorest
economy TO be pcnur.ous with regard
to the experts salary.
He disfavored selecting members OF
the commission from the Legisla-
turc. 1t was improper on principle.
While IL might be very we'll on the one
hand to have members of the commits
sion also on the floor of the General
Assembly. still in case the report were
unsatisfactory. the commission mem
bers would have undue influence In the
Legislature. He liked the Holland
amendment. making the commission
consist of the Governor. the chairman
of the State Corporation Commission.
and an expert.
Cited California.
The patron of the bill. Senator King.
said that though he did not object 10
The sims amendment. the experience Of
other States might prove proper
such magnificent results from tax
commission, pays her expert only $3.50
Per month. In that State the general
taxes have been lowered after tho
work OF a tax commission. 29.75 per
cent. and yet the revenue of Cali
fornia increased $1,000. 900 Virginia
might We'll try this scheme.
Agreeing largely with Senator King.
Senator STROBE told of the fate Of
previous tax commission bills. In 1906
there had been proposed a legisla-
tive joint committee. An amendment
WIS tackled on making it non leEisla-
tive. and II was Killed by vote of
2 to l. Those who advocated the
amendment had nevertheless voted
against the bill, showing that they
were opposed on any ground In 1908
the tax commission bill had gone
through the House by a large major
ity but had been unable to get through
the Senate.
The past pointed out lesson. said
he, which justifies taking up this bill!
and passing 1t at the present session
The General Assembly would not have
been in the position 1t is in now in
regard to taxes il there had been
created before this a tax commission.
but would be In position to go ahead
with telling results.
Twelve States. said Senator Strobe.
have tried the tax commission scheme.
They have been able in this way to
read lust their taxation systems. results