The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-02-28
Montague Measure Is
Finally Defeated by
Vote of So to "a.
STATE TAX RATE
CANNOT BE CUT
Demand for Appropriations So
Great That No Reduction Can
Be Made on Real and Per-
sonal Property = Favor
able Report on Girls
Home Measure.

After four days OF debate and the
consideration OF amendments, the
House of Delegates yesterday defeated
the Montague bureau OF Banking bill
by a vote OF 81 to "a The bin proposed
TO enlarge the powers and duties OF tho
state Examiners Office, changing the
name 10 the Bureau OF Banking, In
creasng the salary OF the examiner
from $4,000 to $4,000, and changing his
position from four-year tErm 10
tenuro during good behavior. His pow
cre over Stnte banks and trust COM
panics were proposed " be similar 70
those exercised by the Comptroller OF
the Currency over national banks he
was also given entire Jurisdiction over
insolveut banks Ia place OF the pres
ent method OF court rccelverships
Hud Some Good Features.
II WAS conceded by those who lcd the
attack on tho bin that II contained
many good features especially In its
provisions as 10 loans 10 directors.
The bill went into great detail, cover
ing 1l5 printed pages lnnu'nerapie
amendments were offered. clauses In
serted stricken out, changed and re-
numbered until few knew what was
left Delegate Montague, OF iticr-
1nond patron Of the bill made q game
effort to gain votes by compromise.
Members who had not had time TO
study so voluminous and far-reaching
q measure, voted mo az precautoh,
and from the first there was band
Of opponents who held that II was "A
measure in. the interest or the banks
rather than OF the people.
The House also practically disposed
OF the question OF redlstricting by re-
fusing TO discharge committee from
l.. ~
euualities are admitted, somc delegates
represcnting as many 'as $4,000 peo-
p!e, while others have less than 5000
constituents.
little Hope of Fee Rcform.
Conceding that there was little or
no prospect OF fee reform ut this ses-
sion, Mr.. Browning. of Orange offered
q resolution providing that this mat
ter be considered with II view 10 the
entire abolition OF the fee system. b*
the Special Committee on Ta&aton. the
report to be considered with the pro-
posed new tax laws at the special ses-
sion Some spice WAS given 10 this sub
tect through a printers error which
resulted In delivery OF Il lobbyists copy
OF bill affecting Norfolk County 10
certain members OF the House, when 1t
should have gone out to county and
city treasurers.
IT bore the notation: Wire or
write your member OF the House and
Senator to defeat above bill. which Is,
in my opinion. an entering wedge to
disturb all treasurcrs.' The hlh pro-
posed an audit OF the books OF certain
officials III Norfolk County, and was
passed yesterday TO its third reading.
The general appropriation bill has
been set by the House special
and continuing order for 1875 o'clock
on Tuesday morning. AS reported by
the committee. it carried s7.lS5.6o5.67
for the first year and sI.0i9.l1Sll for
the second year. With the special ap-
nropriation bills pending. Chairman
Brewer and Auditor Moore calculate
that on the closest possible estimates
of Income. the State will nave at the
close Of the two years balance OF
s13,47s22. Chairman Brewer gave no.
tice therefore, that any effort to add
10 the appropriation bin In any item,
however meritorious, must be met by
a corresponding cut somewhere else,
No Tax Rate Reduction.
Because Of the demand for appro-
priations all hope of reduction In
the State tax rate has been abandoned
The Brewer-W Weaver bill proposing a
general reduction In the rate on real
and personal property for State taxes
from 35 cents to so cents on 500 was
stricken from the calendar yesterday,
on motion of Colonel Brewer. If the
the State will be living right up to
Its income.
The Senate spent the day In discus
sion of the Holt primary bill, several
Of the sections being passed. No final
vote VAS reached, though hope is ex-
pressed of getting through bill
which will, In tho main. conform to
the Views expressed by Governor
Stuart IN his message. The House is
disposed to mark time on primary
legislation, and see what the Senate
Will do. Two years ago the House
siassed the Byrd primary law with only
Ininor amendments, to have II so cut
10 pieces III the Senate that its patron
has repudiated 1T, and IL has found no
friends I'm actual operation.
The Senate Finance Committee re-
ported favorably the bill making the
Virginia Home and Industrial School
for Girls In Chesterfield County n
State institution. creating a hoard of
trustees. with authority to continue
the institution or IL II seems better.
to dispose OF the property and locate
it elsewhere.
Hear Owen and Bryan. -
Members OF both branches were pres
ent In large numbers to hear an ad-
dress by United States Senator Robert
l.. Owen, OF Oklahoma. before tho SEN
ate Committee for Privileges and Elec-
tions yesterday afternoon on woman
suffrage.
Secretary Of state william jennings
Bryan will make nm address before
Joint session OF the General Assembly
at 1890 o'clock to-day.
a. joint committee appointed to re-
b scsive the Secretary Of State and ar
range for the occasion, headed by Del
egate Martin Williams and Senator
John R. Saundera, will meet Mr. Bryan
= 80 CContin,ied on Third. 1,age) -