The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-07-13
MANY CHANGES
IN COMMITTEE
Retirement Of Bowman Leaves
House Finance Committee
Without Chairman.
SENATE TO SHAPE BUDGET
It's Finance Committee to Meet
Here Thirty Days Before
Session Opens.

The serious illness and retirement
from public life of Colonel A. NJ Bow
man. Of Salem, will not only precipi-
tate probable contest for the position
CT chairman of tho House Finance Com
nittee. but unless some ono grnsps the
situation firmly. may greatly handicap
the next session of the General Assem-
bly, In the preparation of tho appro-
priation ordinance. Colonel Bowman
has for years been the Watchdog of
| the treasury" his familiarity with State
finances enabling him to guide the APP
preparation bill through tho troubled
waters or local attacks and small poll
tics with unusual skill. He was first
elected to the House in 1901, and has
been chairman of tho House Finance
Committee since 1906.
Former State Senator George b. Kee-
zell. OF Rockingham County, who was
for some years chairman of the Senate
Finance Committee, is now a candidate
for the House from Rockingham Coun-
ty, and IL elected will almost certainly
be assigned to the House Finance Com
nittee.
Many Changes In Committee.
Only three members of the old House
Finance Committee return without op-
position. They are Harry H Houston
Of Hampton: Richard l.. Brewer, Jr,
OF Nansemond, and Aubrey g. Weaver
OF Warren. Members of the old COM
campaigns for reelection are Captain
w. w. Baker, of Chesterfield; r. L. Tate,
of Pulaski. and n. e. Spessard, of Craig
Captain Baker and Mr. Spcssard are
mentioned as possibilities for the chair
inanship
Members Of the old committee who
VIII not return to the session OF 1914
are Colonel a. NJ. Bowman, OF Roanoke:
Upton ID. Jennings, OF Lynchburg: j.
Templeton. OF Augusta; w. H. Ew
ing. OF Prince Edward; w. N Brown,
c. Danville: Colonel John S. Harwood,
of Richmond; w. G. Parker. OF Ports
mouth; John S. White. Of AIbemarle,
and ]. H. Wissler. of Smyth.
Notwithstanding every effort that the
cid war horses have made to expedite
business. II has almost Invariably hap
pened that the appropriation bill has
heen reported in its final shape on the
last night OF the session and has
been damned through almost with
out consideration. and sometimes
only by the personal solicitation
OF the conferees. Last session con-
ditions were somewhat better The
senate being a hold-ovcr body, and its
committees standing, as heretofore.
Senator Folkes secured adoption of a
resolution instructing the Senate
Finance Committee to meet in Rich
mond thirty days before the next ses-
sion for the purpose of formulating an
appropriation bill. The resolution pro-
vides that the bill shall be reported to
the Senate on the second day OF the
session. and shall be made a special
and continuing order.
TO what extent the House will ac-
cept bill prepared By a Senate COM
m!ttee In advance of the actual as.
sembIing of the Legislature, remains
to be seen.
Turned Deficit Into balance.
In the Legislature OF 1908 Colonel
81 81
Ing days OF the session by illness in
his family. Senator Kcezel. then chair
man of the Senate Finance Committee
was suffering from what Mr. Folkes
described as "normal-itis, and a bin
got through on the final nigh, of the
session pledging the State 10 the es-
adjustment of three new normal
schools. and making largely increased
appropriations IN other directions, in
Guiding some generous salary increases
One OF the Immediate results of that
bill was an empty State treasury, and
what afterwards became known as Tho
swanson deficit" In 1910 and 1912
members of the General Assembly have
been carefully warned that the trea-
sury was empty. Colonel Bowman's
close scrutiny OF tho appropriation
bills. and State Auditor c. Leo Moore's
vigorous efforts to shame the people
OF Virginia into making honest tax,
returns have together changed the
deficit" into a fairly healthy condi-
ton. and the treasury will close the
present fiscal year with balance.
Some officials think this fact should
he carefully suppressed until the Cen
eral Assembly has adjourned for fear
every member may have pet projects
for launching few moro expensive
institutions in his own county. Prep
aration of the States aDnroDriation
bill is al easier task in n hard times
year, when there is Just so much
money and certain things that must
lie provided for, than 1t is when the
State starts out with a balance, and
the Legislature Is composed OF cheer
full spenders who are willing to go
as far as the chairman OF the Finance
. .s..it tc.a L. - !.