The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-01-24

that appear to be I'm favor ut many
state Legislatures and even In Con-
Eress. 1t was unwise, no thought to
deprive bills OF consideration by COM
mittee. by limiting tho timc In which
committees shall consider now lcgis-
lation. TO permit patrons to place their
bills on the calendar II after four
successive meetings Of the committee
they remain unreported would result
he said. In dumping upon tho Senate
mass of undigested measures and
lay the State opon to serious danger.
Declared Unconstitutional.
Senator Walker and Senator Taven-
ncr interposed tho constitutional pro-
vision. which lays down tho rule that
no committee shall be discharged from
the consideration OF any bill except
by two-ffths vote OF the members
elected to the body. Tho change pro-
posed by the Senator from Caroline,
they hold, would BIO unconstitutional.
Objection was raised against the
amendment compelling oil committee
meetings to be public It was re-
gardod as essential that tho commit
tee retain its right at any time to go
into executive session for IL FREQ dis
cus5ion OF tho merits of measure.
without tho deterring influence of
crowd Of Interested persons
In an effort to secure the passage
of his resolution in n modified form,
Senator Gravatt offered to amend the
first requirement. by giving tho COM
mitteo the right to call an executive
session upon recorded vote. The
amendment found considerable favor,
and Senator Walker added to II an
other amendment providing that only
tho number of the vote. and not the
names. as originally provided. shall
be recorded on each measure reported
n ~
rulo was adopted by vote Of 81 to IL.
Rejects second Rule.
Senator Gravatt offered to amend
his second requirement by providing
that bill shall be recalled from the
committee upon tho request OF five
Senators instead OF at the request OF
the patron. Both the original rule
and the amendment were rejected.
joint resolution was reported from
tho House and adopted, recommending
to the Congress of tho United States
the selection of Norfolk for tho loca-
ton Of the new 100000 dry dock
planned by the Navy Department. The
resolution sets forth that Secretary OF
tho Navy Daniels has expressed his
preference for the Virginia port, and
calls upon Virginin's representation In
Congress to use Its influence to have
Norfolk designated.
The Williams enabling act WAS re-
ported from tho House. and was sent
to tho Committee on Privileges and
Elections. The same committee con-
sidered tho Jordan bill of the last ses-
sion. and reported II with the recon-
mendntion that II do not pass. and
with the added statement that II was
unconstitutional. Senator Saxon w.
Holt OF Newport Nows, Is the commit
tees chairman.
Revolution From Chnmber.
communication was reported from
the secretary of tho Richmond Cham
Der of Commerce. transmitting resolu
tons adopted by the resolutions COM
mitteo of that body, recommending to
the General Assembly tho appointment
of a commission to investigate the tax
situation and report n plan OF reform.
The Senate was convened ut the
noon hour by Lieutenant Governor j.
Taylor Ellyson. and was opened with
prayer by Rev. II. Ciagett Skinner. d.
D., pastor OF the Second Baptist
Church. The body adjourned at .
o'clock until II o'clock to-day.
Bills Advanced.
The following bills were advanced
from their nrst to their second read
ings:
Senate Joint resolution. indorsing
Federal aid for post roads. Patron
Senator Harman.
~ hiihpiy ana expedite the admins
tration of Justice In this State by tho
elimination OF certain technicalities
and useless delays. Patrons Senator's
Brock and Featherston.
Senate bills No. 81. SO, and 50, re-
curing executors, administrators, and
personal representatives OF estates in
this State to be residents of Virginia.
Patron. Senator Smith.
TO prohibit members OF the Senate
nf 1ala
State officers from taking compensa
ton In any matter to which tho state
is party.