The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-02-17
Resolution Sent Back
With Recommendation
That 1t Do Not Pass.
GOVERNOR GETS
ENABLING ACT
Will Receive Briefs For and
Against Prohibition Bill This
Morning-Richmond Charter
Changes Are Reported Fa-
vorably-Senate Passes
Safety Appliance Act.

Woman suffrage received It's first
blow last night. when the House Com
mittee on Privileges and Elections re-
ported the joint resolution amendinp,
the state Constitution concerning the
elective franchise and quaIifcatio for
ofhce with the recomme G ndation that
~ DO not pass. Two years ago a sim
mar resolution was offered by Mr.. Mon
laGue, or Richmond. and received tho
samo treatment at tho hands of tho
committee. This session the Joint res
olution was offered by Messrs John w.
Ghalkley. of Wise; Hill Aontague, of
Hichmond; r. H. Willis. OF Roanoke and
A. T. Lincoln. of Smyth.
IIad Little Hope of Passage.
It's patrons had little hope of its pas.
sage. either In the committee or in
the House. but expect to force n re-
corded vote In both branches Tt ia
their claim that the movement for
equai suffrage Is steadily gaining
ground. and that by another session
the sentiment for such an amendment
10 the constitution will have reached
irresistible proportions. Since 1912, ic
is stated. four States have come into
tne suffrage ranks. making ten In which
the women vote. with four or five others
In which the preliminary steps have
been taken for constitutional amend
mcnts.
Advocates OF the bill before the com
nittee stated very frankly tlint tho
only choice the General Assembly ana
people of Virginia had in the matter
was to enact n suffrage amendment to
lhe state Constitution now, or to have
| it forced upon them through amend
incht to the Federal Constitution with
| IN tew ycars. The contention evil
IDENTIFY did not impr, SIS the co,nn,ittc,
The vote was taken in executive ees.
| sion, and IL was not stated how ,nanv
advocates. IL any. were recorded for.
suffrage In the committee.-gs B.,
| 6overnOr Gets Enabling Act
me Wiiiiams enabling act was signed
py Lieutenant-Governor Ellyson and
speaker Cox In the presence of tho
TWO houses yesterday, and laid before
Governor Stuart shortly before !,
O'CLOCK Governor Stuart was Just leav
ing ms office to attend the luncheon
rendered him by his chief of staff ana
mas not yet taken the matter undey
Sohsiheration. Senators Mapp and
Naiker' Tor the supporters of the bill
ana senator Early, FOR the oppositiop'
VIII hle their written statements OF.
briefs this morning before 10 o'clocls
the Governor having Indicated that ha
would allow up TO that time for the
reception of such papers
VIII Consult Authorities.
~ ms statement on the subject tho
Suvernor SAID that he would not SEQ
delegations which merely desired, 10
make appeals to him for or against tha
ON, Dut would consider written briers
ana as To the parliamentary and cor
stitutional questions involved. wouIa
seek advice OF authorities OF his own
selection. The Governor has five daya
from the time at which tho hin 10 NJ,
sehiea TO nm to Indicate his positions.
Drs leaders were positive In their
sialms iast night that he would sign the
OIL leaving ull questions OF parliament
tary procedure to tho two houses wbrcl,
passed IT. nd al
the courts, where the matter viii ,o
eNitdny go. Opponents were as Dosi
tiNc that as the Governor had been in
.he constitutional Convention, ana was
M aothority on that document, lie
would not lightly go in the face or
what appeared to them TO be Its nl,in
provision that the bill required twenty
one votes for its passage In the Senate
II was stated last night that an ele-
iheiii outside OF the Legislature had
expressed the hope that the Governor
VIII sign the bill, so that the poipt a,
us constitutionality may be raised IN
the courts later when the General As
sembiy has adjourned and there Is no
possibility OF passing n new bill by ~
constitutional vote. In any event tha
i"ct thAt the Governor has asked for
nricfs is taken to indicate a doubt In
ms own mind, which opponents of tho
Diii claim would give strong foot
hoia for lis review by the courts
Charter Chnnges Reported.
me House Committee on Counties
cities and Towns last night reported
favorably the Richmond charte,.
changes agreed on by both branches
or the city Council Among the amend.
nents are provisions which authorize
the CITY Council in its discretion to
provide for the establishment ana
maintenance OF an employment burean.s
giving the Board OF Health power to
make and enforce certain sanitarv
regulations. and making more clear tba
power or the city in condemnation pro-
ceedinGs to acquire property for public
uses. The most important arnendment
provides that the City Council shall fix
'he pay OF nil officers appointed by 1t.
ana the administrative Board shall aS
the pay OF all officers which II Is noN-
or may hereafter be authorized to an
point subject 10 the approval of tho
council. The wages of all city en
ployes under tho Administrative Board
are 70 be hNed by IL, and may from time
10 time be increased or diminished by
.hat board, no increase 10 take effect
uhlii tho expiration OF the fiscal year
during which IL was made
The amendment in which the Admin i
istrative Board is most interested *
that giving II power to tiN grades or
streets and alleys, and 10 make local
assessments for public Improvement
without the long delays incident to re-
lesrins each piece OF work or street
grade to the Council for ratification. q
safety Appliances.
The Senate yesterday held an ex-
tended debate over the Featherston Il
vice commission bin. without final ac-
ton. Tho senate passed with amend
ments. House bill making certain pro-
visions in reference to the constructions I,
OF factories. providing for tho use ofG
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