The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-01-18
M ca sures Placed on
House Calendar Early
in Session.
BYRD'S PRIMARY
BILL rs OFFERED
Speaker Eliminates Compulsory
Feature-January rs Fixed
for H caring Charges Against
School Superintendent
French - Governor
Sends Message.

Q
Two committees OF the House ex-
hibited a desire 10 facilitate the dis
position of legislative business by re-
The Finance Committee and the Com
mtttee on General Laws. None Of these
bills is of especial Importance. but the
fact OF the carry action in committeeI
and the placing of business on The
House calendar shows tha. there IL al
disposition to prevent the usual com
sestion OF business at the end Of the
legislative session.
Three committees met yesterday
morning. one of them repor ting bills
that on finance. The Committee on
Roads and Internal Navigation would
not take up the one measure before IT
because OF the unavoidable absence OF
its patron. while the Committee on
Privileges and Elections deferred ac-
ton on primary matters until the Byrd
bill reaches II, and referred a minor
measure 10 subcommittee
Senators Go to Work.
In the afternoon the Senate Com
m!ttce on Courts OF Justice held its
the Senate standing committees TO get
into action. a minor bill was passed
upon favorably, but the more Import
ant measures We're not represented by
their patrons, and went over until the
next meeting OF the co;nmitte.
III the same hour the Special Joint
Committee on Special. Private aud Iyo-
cal Legislation held its meeting. This
body consisting OF members of both
houses. Is a large one. and considers
In thc main local bills Of no wide
spread Importance before thes go TO
other appropriate committees
Byrd Bill Presented.
In the House tile much-talsed- OF
Byrd primary bill was introduced In
Difference TO the judgment of most of
those who have expressed opinions
on the subject, Speaker Byrd has elm
mated the provision making primaries
compulsory upon all parties. Any
party may under it's terms decide upon
its own methods of making nominal
lions. In addition. the Speaker has
stricken out the provision requiring
the name OF the person paying for
political matter In newspapers to be
appended. In this respect. Mr.. Byrd
follows the idea OF the Democratic
subcommittee, which took the same
action.
The bill was referred TO the Conn
mittee on Privileges and Elections,
where the subcommittee measure
also reposes. Chairman Williams said
yesterday that he made his motion I'm
the House providing for the printing
of 500 copies of both bills, In order
that the members and all Others in
terested might become familiar with
their provisions. AT the next meet
ing OF the committee. on Friday. a
time will be set for hearing on the
subject Of primary legislation, where
all those who desire to be heard Will
be given an opportunity.
Governors NIessnEc.
The message of the Governor was
given earnest attention. although as a
matter OF fact there has been so iit-
tie agitation of the income tax qucs-
t!on that the members have practically
not considered the subject. 1t went
to the Committee on Federal Rela
tions. from which it will pass TO the
Committee on Courts of Justice. In
all probab bility the views of the Gov
ernor. so clearly and forcibly eS-
pressed, will receive the approval of
the members OF the General Assem-
bly,.
With the idea of breaking up COR
rupt practices In elections. a bill was
introduced providing heavy penalties
for persons voting illegally, stuffing
ballot boxes. or bribing or threatening
electors.
Charges mentioned against School
Superintendent French, of Dickinson
county. will be heard on January 20
IL any one appears on that date to
prosecute the matter. The Senate
Committee on Confirmation held q
meeting yesterday, but beyond fixing
this date transacted no business. Some
of the Senators who know the situa-
tion believe that no charges will be
brought.
Day in the House.
Secretary Ben r. Owen appeared
at the opening OF the House proceed
lngs with the income tax message from
the Governor, which was received.
The Committee on General Laws had
the honor of presenting the first re-
port Of the session, reporting the bill
providing for the Office of civil Justice
In cities Of not less than 10000 inhab BIZ
tants.
The same committee also reported
tho bill for the regulation OF the prac-
tice Of veterinary surgery.
The Finance Committee reported the
BILL extending the time for the collec-
tion8 of taxes, and also the measure
providing for the compensation Of land
assessors. .
Tho Speaker laid before the House
the5invitation of Rev.J. D. McAllister
10 attend his serm on last night on the
-is34bject OF Statewide prohibition. II
Governors Message. l5'
Clerk Williams then read the Cover
eor's message, which occupied only a
Few minutes. 49, &.
On request of Mr.. Buck, of Washing
ton county, ia leave of absence was
granted FOR at least five days to his
8. Continued on Pago Eour-Column ~.