The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-02-04
No Opposition to In
creased Tax on Liquor
Dealers.
HOUSTON PEOPLE
WANTDISPENSARY
Bill Introduced Giving Voters
Right to Decide Question at
Polls-Housc Adopts spc-
cial Measure to Pay Con-
fedcrate Pensions Due
Last Year.

: Redeeming the campaign promise
,, made by the Democratic party durin,
the recent state contest, the Hous,
OF Delegates yesterday unanimousl,
passed the bin appropriating $4,000
TO pay pensions for the year 1909 tc
those who did not receive their money
because the pension fund had become
exhausted. The bill is an emcrsenc,
measure. and when passed by the Sen
ate 1T VIII become effective at once.
AS is generally known. the pension
fund of the Commonwealth is a sep.
aratc institution, a special tax levy
being made for that purpose. The las,
j General Assembly increased the num-
ber OF pensioners very largely by
broadening the requirements for par
! ticipatfon in this fund, and as result
II was found that there was not
enough money to go around. A num-
I bcr of the old soldiers and the widows
OF soldiers failed to receive their pen
sion money, and efforts were made in
| some quarters to use this fact against
the party.
1 Anxious TO Pay.
On the first day of the present seq
| sion several members introduced bills
approprlating the sum which is esti-
| mated to be the amount of the deficit
| These measures went to the Finance
Committees. In the House Messrs.
McRae and Yarrell merged their bills
| into one and secured its favorable re-
/ port.
| Under the special rule of Wednesday
relating to uncontested bills. it was
| ordered TO its engrossment. Ycster-
day. on motion of Mr. McRae. seconded
| by Mr.. Yarrell, the bill was taken up
out of its order and put upon its
| passage. receiving the vote of every
member present of both parties.
| There was general satisfaction over
this result. While fully realizing the
financial condition of the State. the
members were to a man anxious to do
their duty by the dependent soldiers.
and their widows This money Will
be found somehow. ard, although some
OF the legislators have set their faces
against spending dollar that can be
done without, 1t was considered that
this was work of not only simple
Justice but of duty.
Action on Football Dill.
Senator Parks's bill to prohibit the
playing of football In Virginia under
the rules now in force. went to its
second reading in the Senate yestcr-
day. The bill was thus advanced de-
spite the opposition of Senator Early, |
the protagonist of the game.
This action was taken at an after /
noon session of the Senate, held for
the sole purpose of advancing first
reading bills. The session was short
but few members attending, and was !
the first occasion of two meetings in
one day since the Legislature con- |
vened.
The most important bill which
passed either House yesterday was |
the measure formulated by the senate |
Finance Committee increasing the |
license taxes on dealers in Intoxicating I
liquors. 1t went through the upper
house entirely without opposition.
Senator Folkes, through whose res
two years ago the Senate FL
nance Committee met recently for the
and of formulating an ap-
bill. tried yesterday to
secure bill by February Is. No ac-
tion was taken. members of the COM
,nittee saying they wanted to see the
tax bills acted upon and the money
assured before they took any steps to
spend it.
The Fletcher tax eaualizat tion bill
came up again, Senator Halsey occu-
pying the remaining time of the day
In discussion. He took general
ground against Inc proposed amend-
nents and defended the bill as it came
from the hands of the committee
Want a Dispcnsnry.
Senator lSdmondson offered bill to
allow the voters of Houston. Halifax
county. to vote upon the establishment
If a dispensary at that point. Hous-
on voted dry little more than year
ago. but the law against an election
within less than two years does not
apply in the presence Of special act
~ the Legislature allowing vote on
} dispensary, and sucn an institution
,ould be established at once. The
senator from Halifax takes this ac-
ion upon petition of his cons nstituents.
The House passed two Senate bills
md twelve House bills on the third
nd final reading. The business of the
lay was for the most part routine.
This was the result OF the special rule
# the day before, which operated to
'ush through local and uncontestcd
,ills.
Aside from the pension bill, the most
important measure acted upon was
hat making Illegal voting and frauds
II elections a felony, instead OF a mis- !
lcmcanor. This measure does not t
hange the existing law except as to I
he penalty, which can be made fel- {
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