The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-01-11
Byrd Says Procedure Is
Most Cumbersome in
Existence.
BIENNIAL DINNER
TO LEGISLATURE
Lawmakers Are Guests of Local
d eleg a ii 0 n-Mayor Favors
State Prohibition of Evil.
Senator Keezell Delivers
Glowing Tribute to Vir-
ginia's Greatness.

Good food ard good flows nt soul
marked the biennial reception and din-
ner rendered the members of the Gen.
eral Assembly by the Richmond dele
cation al Murphy's Hotel last night.
The details of the dinner ITSELF, 10
which Colonel John Murphy and Man
ager David Cole gave their personal
attention. was above criticism. in
GLIDING everything which the mind Of
tho epicurc could suggest
Probably 300 men were present, In
Guiding the members OF the Lesialatu
state ofiicials, some Wcll-krown former
members ard distinguished guests. The
assembly hall was decorated for the &C
casion BY each plato was laid menu
and program absolutely unique in de-
sign, and generally complimented tor
its appearance. 1t was the worl: of
Davis Bottom Superintendent OF PUB
lie Printing. In II were printed pic.
lures OF the hosts OF the OCCASION
Snator T. c. Folks. Snator a. g. TAR
man, John a Curtis. John s. HARDWOOD.
Edwin u. Cox. James j. Dreamer and
I'LL Montague.
The feast of reason developed some
things out OF the ordinary. The speech
made by Speaker Byrd in responding TO
Tho toast la wnakcrs," was full Of
puagent suggestions.
''Enlnmcntcd- Conventions.
Thanks TO our late, and, so far as
am concerned. unlamented. Cons;ttu-
tional Convention he said. Virginia
is cncuInbcrcd with the most intricate
and unreasonable swnlnking machin-
cry in force IN any state In tho Onion.
The 100 members OF that convention,
thinking aud calling themselves the
wisest who ever assembled, succeeded
IN crystallizius and tossilizinE II Code
instead OF what they called a Consti-
tuition"
In the first place, proceeded the
Speaker. All the business IL required
10 be done in sixty dnys. no matter how
great us volume. 4 bill Is introduced
IN tile House and goes through, the
committees. He described the differ
.nt sCv,s OF vote. required By various
kinds of bills. Then" he said. ut
gets In the Senate. and the Lord only
knows what happens 10 House bills in
that Eody. The Senate spends tho fir5t
half OF tho session IN contemplating
It's own greatness and tho remaining
half in seeing how many Of It's own
bills IL can pass and how msny House
bills 1t can leave on the calendar"
The Speaker therefore urged mem
bers 10 present all local bills early and
thus get them out OF the way. He
advised against the Introduction OF
identical bills In the two bodies as
causing waste OF time and energy
Ask Williams.
Lastly he told every on. when in
need OF help 10 ask Join Williams.
lie Is no; clerk; he is an institution
lie has a great deal more sense than
has the Constitution Of Virginia
Mayor D. c. Richardson. responding
10 the toast OF Welcome" asked the
Legislature not to enact law to COM
- ~
demanded by the welfare OF tho State
TO so act, he said. would bc tyranny
lie said he WAS in favor of State wide
prohibition of evil"
The Governor was not we'll enough
to DO present, and former Senator
George B. keezell, of Rockingham.
was called upon to speak for "Vir-
GINA" fio compared the States con
dition now with what II was at the
time of which Lieutenant Governor
Ellyson, who acted IA toastmaster,
spoke in introducing the Rockingham
giant, twenty-five years ago. when
they were members together OF tho
Senate Tho revenues have doubled.
and the state. said Senator KeczeIl, is
facing her greatest era-the morning
has barely begun TO dawn for her op-
portunitles.
Somebody Hit.
Colo-aol a. NJ. Bowman, speaking 10
"our Farmers" took n shot at people
who sit on the platforms al farmers
institutes and look wise. 3nd then
criticize the action OF legislators. some
one had given him credit of killing
the lime grinding bill, for which he
voted. Hc told OF the opportunities IN
agricultural development In this STATE,
One of the most tactful and effcc-
tive of the speeches was made by Sen
ntor ). Powell Royal. of Tazewell, on
"The Minority" lie said that the
minority is not here as such, but as
Virginians, intent on doing the best
they can for the state they love
Other toasts were as follows: state
officials" by Judge r. +. Prentis; Our
Women By S. II. Love. of Lunen.
burg: Our Duty" by Senator j. r..
West. OF Suffolk: The Great South
west" By Judge Martin Williams" and
.Richmond CIV by Hill Montngme