The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-03-05
AFTERNOON SESSION

A local bill, strange to say, furnish
ci the only important debate of the af
ternoon' Its object was TO invest boards
OF supervisors of counties having A
population OF more than 800 to the
square mile with tho powers of coun
ellis of cities and towns. II was said
to apply only to the county OF Alex
, pndria.
This wac earnestly fought by Hugh
a. White. He called It a monstrosIty.
In that 1t permitted the Judge OF the
Circuit Court to exercise the veto now
! er over the legislation OF the supervis-
ors. No Judge, he thought, would
want to place himself in such posi-
ton, ~ II would be an ntcrminGlins
of legislative and judicial powers.
william Watts said the measure
overturned the principles which have
come down from the foundation OF the
republic.
Needs OF County.
Robinson Moncure. Of Alexandria,
MADE a vigorous reply. He Baid Mr.
White would pronounce tho Lords
Prayer and the Ten Commandments to
De unconstitutional If presented to him.
Inc county OF Alexandria, he pointed
out. has fifteen or twenty small towns,
which may incorporate at any time
eventually the little county will be all
one city. In the meantime, the small
towns could lay or their streets to
suit themselves without regard to each
other. There should be some central
power to direct streets and sewers and
water mains. on a general and comnre-
htnSive plan.
AS to the powers OF the Judge. he
thought the Senate had looked into the
constitutionallty. II the House thought
the supervisors should have the right
TO spend all the money and do what
N ~ Ia Il.-.H
not object Mayors, he pointed out,
have now n mixture OF judicial and
executive powers. Mr. Throckmorton
inquired as to the rights of suits
against county, and AIR. Moncure said
that II he orders meal and pays for
It, 1t is nobodys business what he eats,
and that the bill suited the people OF
his county. All factions OF both politi.
cal parties wanted II.
c. NJ. Lunsford also spoke for the bill
He said the mixture of power is fro
quent Alexandria county presented
unusual conditions and demanded un-
usual remedies.
Mr.. Noncure accepted an amendment
offered by Harry r. Houston, providing
that the law should not apply until
accepted by the supervisors by reso-
luton, so as to protect any other coun-
~ which might come under tho pur-
view of the enactment. MT. Whites
amendment taking the veto power from
the judge was rejected, and the bill
was passed by vote of 63 to 10.
Pension Bill Defeated.
There was another light over a blu
providing for the payment of pensions
1t proposed to require the Auditor, n
the event the appropriation was In
sufficient to pay tho pensions. as was
the case last year, to first settle with
those who qualified under the original
pension act of 1855. and then TO pro
rate the remainder.
The bill was passed, and then q mo-
ton was made to reconsider. Mr..
Oliver pointed out that this would
discriminate between the pensioners
MIR. Love wanted the claims paid IN
full 30 far as the money would go.
Colonel Bowman said that II was bes,
TO mako 10 per cent. of them angry
rather than all. by n cut In their
checks. Besides. he thought this Leg
! islature. in increasing the fund from
| S4oo,oo0 10 100000, had taken care
of the future.
Judge Williams argued that 1t was
not case OF making people angry,
but OF keeping pensioners out OF the
poorhouse. If the appropriation should
again prove insufficient. It should DC
prorated among all.
The bill was dismissed by an over
helming majority.
Ererybody's Bank Added.
There Was the usual scramble to
get every bank In the State on the
list OF State repositories. The Senate
had added n few. and as is the case at
every session, the House voted TO put
them all In. Clerk Williams was Kept
busy for some time in reading tho
names OF banks. bond of 100000
Is required. and the State Treasurer
has had no money to divide among
them 70" some time and probably viii
have mono for some years in the
future. in view of this. and OF tho
! further fact that q multiplicity OF
repositories further embarrasses the
State Treasurer by scattering the
funds or by being importuncd for de-
poslts. ii is believed to lie likely that
the Senate VIII kill the whole bill.
Bills Are Passed.
The following Senate bills were
passed without opposition:
Permitting the appointment OF two
persons to form committee for an
insane person.
Allowing the right of eminent do
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