The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-02-24


floor of the house yesterday, and in
troduced resolution instructing the
committee on privileges and elections
to report such appointments as would
make the primary bill, reported,
conform TO the governors views on
the subject. which he expressed
Saturday in his message to the gem
eral assembly, 1t was like waving
red flag in the face of bull The
resolution brought out storm OF
protest and passionate speech.
Judge Martin Williams, chairman
Of the committee on privileges and
elections, in a hot speech denounced
the resolution as being an unheard
of precedent and declared that De-
fore he would take any instructions
as TO what he would do, he would re-
sign as chairman of the committee.
Mr.. Cox left the speakers chair.
making Major Stubs. Of Gloucester
speaker pro tenn. and descending 10
the floor, introduced ms resolution
The resolution provided that as the
bin reported by the committee. the
Browning primary bill with amend
rnerts. differed so widely from the
views OF the governor. that the COM
,nittee on privileges and elections be
instructed to report such amendments
to the bill as would make II conform
TO the governors views.
Embotiy Governors Views.
Judge Williams imnqediately leap
ed To his feet Angered by the sup
posed insinuation. he declared tnat
he had been in the general assembly
twelve years. but had never heard OF
such proceedings in his whole ex-
nericnce or rad he ever heard OF
committees being Instructed. Mr.. Cox
answered saying. that as the Dill mad
been reported and was now or Inc
calendar ii was the only way IN
which is could be accomplished, then
going further. amended his resoiu-
lion to read request the com mittee
instead OF instruct the committee.
Judge Williams stated that under
this amendment he would accept the
resolution.
Mr.. Land. OF Nottoway. took the
roor saving that foreseeing such a
difficulty, he had taken II on himself
to go to the governor and make an
eugagement when they could decide
on some bin which would conform TO
his views.
Mr.. White. OF Rockbridge. took
hand in the fight. declaring In an I'M
passioned speech. that IL was the
most unusual proceeding he mad ever
heard of as the bill had been re-
norted by committee. Mr.. White
took each view expressed by the
governor and compared them with
the bill reported by the committee.
showing that out of eleven different
plans suggested by the CHER cxecu-
tive. only two conformed with the
bill reported by the committee. Mr..
White has bill in the committee on
privileges and elections, whIcn ~e
stated did conform to the ideas o1 the
governor. but that the committee nad
never made any report on II at all
Mr.. Williams Would Resign.
Mr.. Williams came back into the
fray and In hot speech stated \
will resign as chairman If l am IN
structed to make a report.
Mr.. White thanked Judge Williams
for the high stand he had taken and
said that he had no objections to the
committee bringing in a bill which
would conform to the governor
views.
MIR. Reed, of Portsmouth, intro
.duced a xesolution providing Tor the
amendments to the primary bill to be
drawn by the attorney general. CUES
lions were hurled at him on all sides,
but he still maintained his position
that II would not reflect on the COM
mittee.
MIR. Cox then took the floor saying
that as Judge Williams thought his
resolution reflected on the committee
on privileges and elections he would
apologize as he had not meant to cast
any reflections on that body. He said
he was worry his resolution had
brought on such hot debate. Several
members claimed the floor. al
ciamoring for recognition at once
causing mucf confusion, and Speaker
pro Tetn Stubbs had much trouble In
restoring order.
Mr.. Reed withdrew his resolution
with apologies to the computes
while Mr.. White introduced a resolu-
ton to recommit the bill. that the
amendments might be put on In COM
mittee meeting. :.
The pending question was called
for and the house moved that the
main question Q called, and in the
confusion, the resolution offered tby
Mr.. White was not read.
When the clerk was called on tc
read it, Mr. Weaver attempted I,
FAM rnceedings on point q
1 order, but Mr.. Oliver moved that tbs
!. A.ninrDusly consent TO tht
reading of tho resolution. ana II Wal
vofAa down ~ "a 0y0EWheJtn1ngSNaee