The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-02-04

bate on the House bill providing for a
rcducuon 2f tho exemption In gar
sion was opened with prayer by Rev.
+. j. Mct'adcn, ID. D., of the First Pres-
hytor!an Church. and Iieutenant-Gov-
crnor j. Taylor Ellyson presided.
Reports from the standing commit
tees were called for, and the Commit
tee OF Roads and Internal Navigation
'lsported, with the accommodation
that It do not pass, the bin estublish-
crew in the state of Virginia. The
bill was ably fought In the committees
room by attorneys for the railroads.
who produced evidence TO show that
proposed law is not only not needed,
but would actually be in the way. The
committee also reported, with tho rec
concentration that /; do not pass. SEN
ator Wendenburs's bin requiring gteam
and electric railway companies TO file
fun reports or all accidents occurring
on their lines.
Fight on Debt Limit.
Proceeding to the calendar, the Son
ate passed by number OF billie on
thair third readings for consideration
occurred in connection with House bill
providing for an increase In tho Stat
ute Of limitations from two to three
Years. number OF the Senator'S pro-
cial bodies In their districts asking
them to give thoir support to the bill
Senator Hart opened the debate with
the statement that merchants In the
city of Roanoke had made q similar
request of him. but that he was con-
vinccd tho bill was bad. and would
vote against it The two-year law. he
said, had been In force In Virginia for
many years. and to change 1t would be
Il radical procedure not justified by
circumstances. a merchant, he thought,
should nc compelled by the law TO sue
for debt within two years after It's
contraction. when all of the Items
were clear In the mind of the debtor.
Tho present law. he said. makes for
promDtcr collections by creditors and
is wholesome In its operation.
FoIkos for Bill.
Senator Folkes spoke in favor OF the
bill Extending The time within which
man could pay his debts before being
sued, he said, was n step in the right
direction. Personally he believed that
man should have rs much time as he
wanted to pay his debts. since misfor-
operated to prevent him from making
as prompt settlements as he would
II want to pay tribute to a man
who Is willing to put the interest OF
the general public before the demands
made upon him by his own constItu-
ents." said senator Folkes. referring
TO Senator Harris speech on tho bill
under discussion. He Endorsed the
view taken by the Senator from Roa-
nokc. Senator Drewry made n short
tdlh III opposition 10 tho DlliS passage,
ON. the roll call tho bill passed by a
safe majority.
The senate then passed the House
biu prohibiting the direction OF YER
diets and TO What cases the law IS
applicable
Contest on Gnrnishee NIL
BY far the warmest debate OF the
present session started when the
House bill seeking TO lower the gar
n!shee exemption from $50 to s25 came
up on its third reading. 1t was de-
nounced by Senators on the floor as a
piece of legislation calculated to hurt
the Democratic party. and in thu in
tereSt OF the merchant as opposed to
the workingman. Senator Fokes led
the attack In a speech full of fire and
sarcasm. He was supported by Sena.
tor Wendenburg, who characterized 1t
Us the most far-reaching and danger
Gus measure presented to the General
Assembly this year" Senator Taven-
ncr was the only one to take I'D the
When the bill came to vote a num-
Der of the Senators had left their seats
TO avoid going on record either for or
against It. and 1t was passed by a
vote OF 13 to s. Senator Moncure, who
favored the b'll, Immediately moved
its reconsideration to put the law for
ever beyond question. but was check
mated by Senator Wendenburg, who
moved that the motion for reconsid-
Grafton be passed by. Before tho
chair had tire to put the question
Senator Wa'd'r moved to adjourn,
and the last motion was carried IT
saved the day as far as opponents of
the bill arc concerned, and gave them