The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-01-28
END OF BITTER FIGHT
SEES BANK TAX BILL
co THROUGH HOUSE
Determined Is Assault Upon
Measure, But 1t Gets By
With Scant Margin Over
Necessary Four-hfths.
Segregates Tax on Bank De-
posts to State and Reduces
1t to 20 Cents on 500. De.
nounced, Before Roll Call. az
a "Eiold-up."

With the necessary four-fifth ma
jority to make it an emergency act,
the Weaver bill. segregating the tax
on bank deposits to the State and re-
duCing the tax to 20 cents on the 500,
passed the house yesterday by vote
of so to II.
Despite the fact that the word was
whispered around that Governor elect
Stuart had withdrawn all opposition
to the measure, a determined effort
was made to defeat the bill and only
two votes were necessary to bring IT
to dismal failure. During the roll
call, the result was dubious and tho
tension was only broken when Speaker
Cox announced the result and the
house broke into a storm of applause.
Before the session convened, the
advocates of the bill were busy. Con-
ferences and parleys were held on
every side. What promises were ex-
changed were buried too deep TO be
discovered and many members who
had strongly fought the emergency
act. held out to the last ditch. but
finally gave in under the assurance
that the senate would concur and the
20 cent rate would prevail. Others,
however. who Monday night declared
they would not support the measure
In it's defense, strongly urging its pas
sage.
Bitter Fight Ends.
The bill has been one of the most
bitterly fought this session and tho
fight has lasted for days. 1t began In
the committee meeting and was car
ried on to the end.
Immediately after the house con-
vened and the calendar announceds
Mr.. Weaver moved that house bill
No. 6. the Weaver measure. be put
upon, its passage Every other bill.
which preceded this measure, was.
with the consent of the patron, tenn.
porarly put aside
Mr.. Jordan. of Pulaski. who for
days has protested against the measure
and who introduced as substitute,
the bill advocated by Governor-elect
Stuart was the first to announce that
he had finished with the fight and
would vote for the Weaver. bill.
Mr.. Jordan said that he had come
to Richmond with a promise TO his
constituents he would try and get them
relief from the pending stringency OF
the money market He said that h0
had done his best in this. He declared
the. opponents had fought a good fight
and had kept their faith, but as II
was an emergency and as this was the
only way to relieve the situation. he
would, against his conscience. vote for
the passage of the bill.
Mr. Jordans remarks caused much
surprise and it was expected the
house would stampede, but Mr..
Gordon, of Louisa. took the floor
against the bill and eloquentiy pleaded
for it's defeat. He said that it was the
most important legislation that would
face the house.
Gordon Denounces Bill.
He said he stood for collecting the
tax at it's source and on this point he
the tax In its present form as being
more or less farce, declaring that
If 1t was not collected before it would
not be now.
II want to ask the men from the
agricultural districts how they are go-
ing home to face the people, after they
have voted for this bill?'
His remarks caused quite stir and
the advocates of the bill were busy.
Whispered conferences took place on
all sides and the weakening members
were strengthened.
Mr. Hobson, of the city OF Rich
mond, moved the pending question.
but later withdrew his motion at tho
urgent request of his friends.
Mr. White, OF Rockbridge. lined up
with Mr.. Gordon, declaring the moral
effect OF the bill was bad. He said
the house was trying to make the bill
Ia permanent measure. for the emer-
gency II there was one, was practicAl-
ly over. for nowhere on the face q
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