The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-03-10
SENATE

III the dying hour Of the session
Senator West succeeded over strong
opposition in putting through a Senate
resolution directing the clerk of the
Senate to call upon various officers Of
the Commonwealth for an annual
statement showing all fees received by
them during the year. 1t was regard
ed as a victory for the majority which
favors system OF accounting for
clerks of courts, shcriffs and other
important officers, although the reso-
luton adopted does not compel u COM
pliancc with Its provisions. In the
event that an Deer refuses to furnish
the statement asked for. the resolu-
ton provides. that written statement
TO that effect shall be submitted to the
Senate.
Despite predictions in many qua ters
that another attempt would be made
during the morning to force vote on
the redistricting bills nothing of the
kind developed. Senator l4olt shortly
before adjournment moved suspcn
sion OF tho rules to take up the bill
redistricting the State for purposes of
representation In tho House. but the
ndjourning fever was in the air, and
the motion was voted down.
Senator Echols Honored.
Rev. ]. ]. Scherer opened the nnal
session of the Senate with prayer and
Lieutenant Governor j. Taylor Ellyson
presided. A number OF House amend
mcnts to Senate bills were reported
and concurrcd In.
a pleasant incident OF the coming
session was the presentation by the
Senate to President Pro TEN Echols
of silver service consisting of a
water pitcher, goblet and waiter.
Senator Folkes was spokesman for the
Senate and made extremely happy
presentation speech. He referred to
the high stecm which the Senate felt
for the man whom It chose to preside
over it, and TO head its most important
committee. and asked him to accept
the gift as memento of the friend
ship and love which the members of
| the Senate Will always feel for him
'It Is difficult for me to undertake
TO express myself on this OCCASION"
said Senator Echols with deep fool
ing. I'm doing me thus moro justice
than ! deserve. you do me an injus-
ticc in bringing to mo suddenly ard
to my surprise THIS beautiful token.
/ feel utterly unworthy of 1t. IN ac-
ccpting the gift l do so not for it's
intrinsic value. but for its significance
AS an expression of your regard, nnd
I shall treasure it more than can
tell you through my entire life"
Requires Report of Fees,
with his fee bill dead in the House,
effect some legislation in this direc-
ton, introduced the following resolu-
ton:
Whereas. sections 1914 and :498 af
the Code of Virginia of 1878, requires
| clerks of the courts, shcriGs, scrEennts
and certain other officers 10 keen fec
books, wherein shall be entered the
fees for every service performed by
them, and the fact of such fees being
| nttth mi
for, whichever shall happen first,
now, therefore,
| BE II resolved, That tho clerk III
the Senate is hereby instructed 10
communicate copy of this resolution
TO tho clerks of the courts, sberins
and sergennts. and ascertain the aE-
| BrcSntc amount of fees received by
them for the calendar years 191. and
1913 respectively, and report such In
formation to the next session of the
Senntc In 1914. and IL amy OF said ohi-
GERS decline to furnish sold Informal
ton, the clerk of the senate shall re-
Port said dcclination In detail at the
! time above stated.
Objection by Senator Holt.
| Senator Holt inquired of the chair
| II the resolution was not In effect log
isIation by tho Senate, and Lieutenaii.-
| Governor Ellyson ruled that 1t waa
not. Failing 10 have 1t thrown out
on this ground. Senator Holt mo led
! that the resolution be referred to tho
proper committcc--a proceeding which
| would have meant it's death.
Senator'S Walker and Featherstor
| spoke against commitment and ask cd
tho Senate to pass the resoluti on.
There was 4 growing demand on the