The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-01-28
.H.O.u Sc RAT|F|ES
ALL AMENDMENTS
Changes in Constitution
Approved by Reso-
luton.
SENATE ARGUES
TAX EQUALIZING
Republicans Still Determined to
Chase the Majority-Nomina-
ton Of Judge Prentis Con-
firmed- New Primary
Bill Offered by West,
of Nansenond.
III %
of Nanserrlond.

All OF the four proposed amendments
to the Constitution of Virginia were
approved by the House yesterday, and
will now go to the senate. II they
are acted upon favorably by the upper
branch they will be finally referred to
the popular vote at the next November
election.
The vote. however. was not unant-
nous on any of the propositions. In
fact, the opposition to extending the
| sessions of the General Assembly from
sixty to ninety days was opposed b3
some OF the most experienced and ins
luentiai members OF the House. Thirty
votes were cast against this amend
ment. though three of these were af-
| terward changed to aye. The pro2osi-
tion apparently lacked only leader on
the floor before the vote was taken to
have killed the amendment
| BY this action the House ratified the
! propositions originating in the last
General Assembly and puts them well
along the road toward enactment.
| Mr.. Evans. of Middlesex. vigorously
| protested against the election Of COM
missioners OF the revenue by the peo-
| pie, but only few members. appar-
i emily, agreed Win LitIl.
| Much Business Done.
While the most important legislative
event of the day was the introduction
OF Speaker Byrd's bill providing for
| the Encouragement and protection or
the lines Of the Baylor survey and the
leasing of now unproducttve rocks,
both houses of the Legislature had
busy sessions.
In joint Assembly the appointment
of Judge r. r. Prentis 10 the State
Corporation Commission was unani-
mously ratified.
A Between the Scylla of an exhausted
4 treasury and the char*btiis OF imper-
i ative demands. the Senate yesterday
debated the Fletcher tax equalization
lldlL senator Noel leading the minor
! ity, renewed his attack on Democratic
rule. and was answered by several sup
porters OF the measure under consider
u alton. No vote was taken,
1t is quite evident that the Repub-
q licans propose to make IL as uncom-
4 Portable as possible for the majority
during the session on the question of
i, taxation and appropriations. They arc
reading UP on the Auditor S report, and
+ are ready. 1T seems. 10 keep up the
fight as long as 1T Is practicable.
4 Calendar Is Crowded.
4 over on the House side two Senate
bills were passed. both under suspen-
II sion OF the rules to avoid the consti-
tutional readings. They were merely
Of local Importance. and invoked no
opposition. The House calendar, with
Il these exceptions. was not reached.
i The result Of the doings OF the past
4 few days, when It took two sessions
4 to elect Senator Daniel and one to con-
firm Judge Prentis. is that the House
l~11a do ie -ka1 y,vtt !.
i bills on their second reading, since
measures have been steadily reported
from committees every day. II the
House can really get down to work to-
4 day. a great number OF monotonous
roll calls are likely to occupy the ses-
Il sion
i fourth primary bill made its ap-
4 pearance. introduced In the House by
n Mr.. West of Nansemond. The time is
too short to allow the printing OF this
as was the case with the other three,
with all the others. at the, hearing this
morning before the Committee on Priv
/ ileges and Elections.
i New Primary Bill.
II The West bill is not at all drastic
i or startling. except In Its efforts tc
1, insure fair elections. 1t makes the
4 primary OPTIONAL with party author1.
Il ties. provides that the Judges OF tht
primary election shall be chosen bs
4 party committee and the pay fixed BY
4 such committees and provides heavy
penalties for dishonest practices. The
Judges are to he sworn. Machinery is
] specified in case 1t Is desired to elec1
delegates in primary to party con.
vention.
J The provisions OF the Byrd bill rela
btive to paid political matter are re
tained In fact, this is In all the bill
Il except that of Mr.. Deal.
No candidate. 1t Is specified. for thu
Il United States Senate, Representative
!, In Congress. or for any State office. a
any primary election, shall expend 70
J any purpose. exclusive of the amour
!, assessed against him to defray the ex
penses Of the primary. sum large
than an amount equal to 10 cent
for every vote cast for the candidat
of his party at the last preceding gu
bernatorlal election. For violation o
this provision, there is a fine Of from
500 to $1,000. and the guilty party !
to be disqualified from voting or hold
Ing once In the State for FIVE year
llthereafter. s&
. The Williams resolution inquirin
into the advantages or disadvantage
of district school examiners had
hearing yesterday afternoon befor
! the House Committee on Schools an
Colleges. An array of the States bet
!, known educators protested again;
. the abolition OF the Office The heel
= Ing was not concluded 5
= Bank Bill Copsidered.
: Before the Joint committees OF tt
i Senate and House on Insurance an
r Ranking. the proposal to establish
q commissioner OF banking was hear
: yesterday afternoon. The state banl
}, were represented. They did not fgl
j, the bill, but the opinion was expresse
l, that3the state should pay certain cos
which are proposed to be assesse
n against the banks. The hearir lg WI
d be continued next Wednesday night.
4 The hill providing for the sterilizt
s tion Of habitual criminals and lido
Continued on Third Pag e.l IS.