The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-03-06
SENATE PASSES
WEST FEE BILL
MEMBERS OF FINANCE COMMrrTEN
CHANGE FRONT AND VOTE
FOR MEASURE.
GOES OVER TO HOUSE
ONLY THREE OF OPPOSITION CAsJ
DISSENTING BALLOTS
WHEN SHOW DOWN
COMES.
GOES OVER TO HOUSE

Reported uufayoraply py tne oeH-
ate Finance Committee. ourdSneo
with amendments designed to XIII IL
and opposed at every turn when its
patron sought to get 1t on the moor
for consideration, the West Zee Dill
sailed through the Senate yesterday
with three opposing votes recorded.
Members Of the same FINANCES
Committee which reported tho bill
adversely lined up behind Mr.. West
and with the exception OF one menu
Der, who was not in the chamber
voted to a man for the bill. Several
Of the votes were belated, but after
those who have blocked the bill at
every stage saw a majority was cer-
tain, theirs were the loudest ayes in
the chamber.
The three who declared their posi-
ton by their votes were Mr.. Monta-
que. OF Portsmouth: Mr.. Cummings
and Mr., Catron Everybody else de-
serted the ship.
Although refusing to stand against
the bill on a recorded vote not
few have fought every effort to bring
the bill up. Yesterday Mr.. Montague
was alone In opposing its considera-
ton. others saw further opposition
was useless,
Four Attempts Fail.
Four previous attempts had been
made to have the Dill considered:
Each time Mr.. Vest was blocked
because he could not summons the
necessary two-thirds vote, At tho
afternoon sessions when only uncon-
tested bills we're considered someone
always objected to advancing the bill
in. its turn on the calendar and II was
passed by.
Even as ii stands final passage Of
the bill 10 doubtful. Four more days
of work will have crowded into them
consideration of four times ~ many
bills as will pass. Mr.. West did not
wait for his bill to be engrossed but
rushed 1t at once to the House cham
bers. .4.,s. 49,. go.
One of the strongest Hobbies Of the
session has been that opposed to
the West and Gravatt bills. Every
effort will be made to block the West
bill in the House. II It v passed tho
Gravatt bill will be dropped by its
patron.
Mr.. Vests bill would have county
and city officers who are paid fees
report to the State auditor the
amount of fees received yearly and
the amount OF money dishareed for
office expenses. It did not include
magistrates and constablee A. origi-
nally drawn; this amendment was
added by the Senate committee.
All Fall In Mnc.
Mr.. West caAed the bill UP yester-
day shortly after noon just AZ the
4erafn urn rezdv IN conaidar thu
primary bill. His request met im-
mediate objection from Mr.. Monta.
sue, who declared no important bill
1hould be sidetracked to consider
one OF AZ small importance ~ the
West BILL
Twenty seven votes We're necessary
to take the bill up. Twenty-nine
were cast. Thirty-two votes were
cast for the bill.
Mr.. West declared he would have
never been able to push the bill
through to a vote had not those OPP
posing It thought It was too late 70
pass the bin through the House.
II the bill becomes 4 law the Legis-
lature Of 1914 will haXa- definite Ia
formation upon which to base = salary
system for county and oity ofhcers II
It wishes to enact such law. This,
the patron declares, II the only pur-
pose OF the bill other than TO let
are paid.
Two years ago Mr.. West tried to
get bill similar to the one paused
yesterday through, but his efforts met
with poor success. Many senators and
delegates are pledged this year to
vote for bin looking to abolish the .
fee system.