The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-01-12
Speaker Byrd Argues
for Central State
Authority.
ALL LEGISLATIVE
OFFICERS CHOSEN
Democratic Caucuscs Reflect
Old Men Unanirnously-No
Republicans Allowed on
Two Committees-Legis-
laturc Begins It's Bien-
NAL Session To-Day.

declaring that tax equalization Is,
first in Importance Of all the matters
to come before the session OF the Gem
eral Assembly. Speaker Richard Evelyn
Byrd !, In his speech of acceptance be-
fore the House Democratic caucus last
night. asserted that the remedy. and
the only remedy, is to subordinate the
local assessors and commissioners or
resenting tho whole State. He said
that makshifts. which do not recognize
this principlc and provide adequate
machinery for it's enforcement. will do
do no real good.
Speaker Byrd undoubtedly sounded
the keynote OF the session in his dis.
cussion of this subject. He said that
the inequality Of assessments in vfr-
ginta had become public scandal and
has resulted in conditions which should
not be tolerated by a self governing
people. 1T permits counties,'' he as
serted. ito stretch greedy hands into
the treasury and take the contribu-
Stions of other counties for their own
local purposes"
Caucus Results.
Thirty Democratic Senators or the
thirty-four answered to their names
when the Senate caucus met or the
Ietghty-seven Democrats in the House
of Delegates. only ten failed to respond
to the roll call
The Senate caucus elected w. w.
Sale. of Norfolk. as Its chairman, suc-
ceeding Senator Mann. Ali OF the Sem
ate officers were re-elected-PrcsIden
Pro TEN. Edward Echols; Clerk. Mar
shall B. Booker; Sergeant tat Arms.
Frank 3. Watkins. and Doorkeeper, s.
NJ. Donald. Pages were elected by
groups. Edwin p. Cox. OF Richmond.
was chosen as chairman of the House
caucus. Mr.. Byrd succeeds himself
as Speaker. John w. Williams as clerk,
j. M. Johnson. as ergeant-at-arlls. S.
NJ. Newhouse as first doorkeeper and
sP. e. Ltpscomb as second doorkeepcr.
ss There were no contests for any of
these offices, the selection being unan-
inous In each case.
Republicans Meet.
Tho Republicans of the General AS.
tsembly held a joint caucus in commits
tee room No. 4, in the Capitol basement.
They decided to make no nominations
fer any. of the Senate or House offices.
but selected Senator John G. Noel. OF
Lee. as their floor leader in the upper
House. and G. S. Pendleton, of Scott.
as leader in the House of Delegates.
They stated that later they would hold
caucus for the nomination OF cans
didatc for United States Senator.
A decision on the part of tho Senate
Democrats that hereafter the officers
should be elected every two years In
stead OF four. and q proposition to hava
Republican representation on the FL
nance and Rules Commit tees were fea-
lures of the Senate caucus. The lat
ter proposal was made by Senator
Charles U. Gravatt. but was defeated
by a vote of 10 to II. after a lively dis
.cuSsion.
Session Begins To-day.
The General Assembly OF Virginia;
will meet in biennial session at noon
to-day. Lieutenant-Gove J. Taylor
Ellyson will preside in the Senate. In
this body the steering committee will
rearrange the standing committees In
view Of the two changes in member
ship. N :. IS s.5
In the House. Clerk Williams will
swear In the members and conduct the
for Speaker Mr.. Byrd will
take the chair and will Immediately an
nounce his standing committees. This
Is probably the first time in the his
tory OF the Commonwealth that a
speaker WI have announced the per-
sonnei OF tne committees on the day
of his election. 81
Heretofore this matter has usua1lv
been delayed for a week on SO. and.
since no business of Importance can be
transacted until committees begin to
this action is expected to Ereas-
ly facilitate public business. Sneaker
Byrd will also announce his appointees
as pages. Clerk williams will state
who Will be his assistant and commits
tee clerks. @la
The Governors message will then
be read in both houses.
The joint session of the Senate and
House Of Delegates to canvass the votes
cast at the November election for Cow
ernor and other State officers will
probably be held tomorrow,
Tonight all tho membcrs OF tho
Legislature will be entertained at
banquet at Murphy's Hotel by tliesRich-
mond delegation. Lieutenant- Governor
Ellyson will preside.
The senate Caucus.
Thirty of the thirty -four mcnibsra
of the Democratic caucus OF the SEM
ate answered the roll last night, when
Senator Keezell. of Rockingham, acting
as temporary chairman, called the
to order.
w. w. Sale. of Norfolk city, was
nominated for the permanent chairman-
ship by Senator Rison, of Pittsylvania.
and was unanimously elected S&
Senator Lassitertgof Petersburg, Wig
acted rs temporary secretary. wat
nominated for permanent secretary By
Strobe. Of Amherst. and wax
elected
Senator Folkes. of Richmond city
moved that the old set OF officers hS y
re-elected .tpScthers but accepted 4
substitute offered by Senator KeegelL
of Rockingham. to the effect that sacA
officer be@nominated and elected sep.
aratcly. Senator Keezell felt that thtI y
confusion later in the session.
Marshall r. Booker was nominated
to succeed himself as clerk by Senatol
Halsey. OF Lynchburg. ! TWO Of thf
speakers said that they had opposed
Mr.. Booker when he was first elected