The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-03-06
"Dry" Leaders Propose
Not to Redistrict Leg
islative Sc ats.
BIG FIGHT AHEAD
IN HOUSE TODAY
Senate Passes West Fee Bill and
What Is Left of Primary Meas
urc-T hr k m rton Milk
Bill Dies-House Has De-
bate on Divorce Legis-
Iation.

II a strong movement headed in the
House by leading prohibitionists is
successful. there will be no rediytrict-
Ing of Senate and House districts in
this Legislature Tho hand OF the
Anti Saloon League was shown at yes
terday's session. when Speaker Byrd
moved TO dismiss the bill reported by
the Committee oai Privileges and Elec-
lions. and over which that committee
mas worried for more than month.
The cause OF this remarkable stu
alton arises In the fact that because
OF the growth Of population in the
cities. they are given larger represen-
tation In the General Assembly. This
IL viewed with alarm by those who
desire to have prohibition legislation
passed, and they viii endeavor to re-
tain the present lines. regardless OF
the necessary inequalities which have
grown up within the past ten years
az rc6ult OF rapid growth OF popu-
1ation in some sections and decrease
In others
Helped by Others.
Aside from the prohibition matter.
the movement to STAND pat and make
no changes Is supported by represen-
tatives from counties which have
greater representation than that to
which they are entitled on popula-
ton basis. and which desire 10 retain
their prestige.
Those who stand for real redis-
tricttng will. in the debate to-day.
point to the mandate OF the Consti
tuition. which says, in section AZ: The
apportionment OF the state into SEN
alto and House districts, made by the
act OF the General Assembly. ap-
proved April .. 1902. is hereby adopt
Cd: but reapportionmen may be
made in the year 1906, and shall be
made In the year 1912 and every tenth
year thereafter
leaving all districts as they stand
for the next ten years would give
Richmond. for iHstance, only flvc mem
bers of the House. when on an aver
ngs II Is entitled to more than Elk.
would give Wise and Dickinson.
with 42,3sl people and q rapidly grow
Ing population. one delegate. and
would leave Appomattox. with s,soi
people and decreasing population,
with just the same representation
ono member. Prince william county
would have one member with i2.6os
people. and Norfolk city. with $4,000
people since the recent annexation
with TWO, or 10000 for each.
Closely. Watched.
Speaker Byrd temporarily Withdrew
his motion to dismiss, but Il is un.
derstood he will renew II to-day. or
11cers of the Antf-Saloon League re-
1r,a!ned on the floor of the House yes
terday for the first time during the
session. watching the proceedings. The
Speaker and Aubrey c. Weaver asked
questions OF SubchaIrman Oliver, OF
the Privileges and Elections Commit
tee. to indicate that the reapport!on-
ment has been fixed SO as to give dom
nance to certain cities In the sena
torial districts, but he showed that
presented the figures in every instance
Judge Martin Williams and other
'ory" leaders will, 1t Is understood
not countenance any stand-pat policy
and will stand for eapportionmcnt
based on population, according to the
Constitution. The fight to-day. begin
ming at noon. is likely to be close and
exciting.
Alleged Primary H!u Passes.
Pronounced "eminentiy harmless
the Byrd Featherston primary bill was
passed by the Senate According to
Its advocates, every feature designed
To improve conditions and to purify
primary elections has been eliminated.
and 1t Is q matter of indifference
whether or not Its passes.
However. a victory was won In the
Senate for the West anti-fee bill.
which by nearly unanimous vote
was carried 1t will be considered by
the House Finance Committee at Q
o'clock this morning. 1t simply re-
quires officers who are paid entirely or
ir, part by fees to keep a record of the
amounts they receive. This record IL
20 be used in future years as n basis
On which to calculate the adjustment
OF all offices on a salary basis. Sena-
TOR Vests victory was rather uneX-
pected.
1t Is probable, however. that IL the
bill passes the House. 1t will be shorn
OF the feature requiring justices OF
the peace and other minor officials to
keep the records. 1t Is not believed
that they should be included, since the
presence of this item in the bill will
not add to the information really de-
sired. and is calculated to arouse on
position.
Divorce Matters Discussed.
The House OF Delegates defeated an
an amendment to the Senate divorce
bill permitting courts to take public
testimony in open court in divorce
cases. Considerable debate was
aroused, and tho action was evidently
caused by the plea of Judge Williams
that tho scandalous details of divorce
suits should not be given to the public.
Tho Senate bill requiring notice of
suits to be mailed to the last known
address of the defendant was passed.
The House also defeated the Feather
ston bill to prevent untrue, mislead-
ing and deceptive advertising. The
United States government IT was
pointed out, publishes misleading ad-
vertising matter to secure recruits for
its army and navy. It would he nut :
ting too much power In The hands of
courts. ii was said, to Judge what was
or was not misleading advcrtisirg
The Nnal death of the Throckmorton
1centinued on Tnlrd Pagel