Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1914-03-13

STUART IS UNMOVED.
Consideration of Land Title Bill
Produces Some Excitement in The
House Of Deleg. es.

Richmond, March 13.-Bitter words
and grave charges marked the de-
bate in the House yesterday after
noon when the Buchanan land title
bill, passed by the Senate, was cal
led from the calendar.
The bill was passed by a vote of
rs to -, but not before Delegate
Lindsay Gordon, of Louisa, had put
the House on notice that he would
offer a resolution calling for an Of
fetal investigation to determine
whether Governor Stuart had not
gone too far in using the influence
of the administration to force the
passage of the measure.
Governor Stuart, when advised of
what the Louisa delegate proposed
to do. evinced no uneasiress.
"l have used my best Influence for
the passage of the BILL" he said. 81
do not know whether | have ex-
hausted my influence or not, but if
| can think Of am further Influence
| can possibly use before the vote is
taken I shall certainly use it."
After the vote had been taken MIR.
Gordon announced that he would not
call for an investigation.
q have known the Governor of
this State for thirty years." ne said,
"and have the utmost confidence III
TN aSa r,aa :,u:l, as- a gentleman;
cut | nevertheless believe that ne
ha, made mistake in listening to
the lawyers on one side of this con-
troversy without giving ear TO coun-
sci on the other side"
He further explained that an m
vestigation might injure the Demo,
cratic party, and he would not
therefore, cal! for an inquiry.
The bill, which repeals bill pas
sed by the Legislature in 1912, wa!
called from the calendar by Dele
gate Grant, of Russell.
Delegate Gordon at once took VI
,the floor. He offered an amend
ment tending, he said. to protect tn
titles of people now living on tn
j; land in question. 1t was defeated.
Delegate Oliver, chairman of tn
House Committee on Courts of Jus
tice, which refused to recommen
the bill, declared that if the bl
should be passed land titles in
score of counties would be put i
. Jeopardy.
Delegate Meetze, of Prince Wi
liam, stoutly defended the bill. II
declared the bill passed by the Leg
iisIature of 1912 to be one of tn
: most dangerous pieces of legislatlo
.he had ever seen ana ne LhouShI I'll
State should repeal it.
Harry Houston, who offered tn
1872 bill. took the floor on que:
= ton of personal privilege. lie sal
he introduced the measure so thi
the title to the postoftice site
Newport News could be perfecte
and he wished it understood that r
knew nothing whatever of the c
8 fects of the bill on land titles els'
where.
Mr. Gordon took the floor agai
Delegate Jordan, of Pulaski, W:
irving to ''howl down" the bill.
The Louisa delegate heatediy 7
piled that most of the "howlin'
was beirg done by the other side.
- It was some time before Mr.. 10
dan would take his seat. lie CONT
, ned talking, though Mr.. Gordon w
!. still. opposing the bill at the top
rs his voice. 'n
d Finally order was restored. ,t
ta Mr.. Gordon then charged that
~ tremendous lobby had been worki
n for the bill and that the Govern
70 had gone too far in the exercises
n official influence.
st He was declared out Of order. Tn
k The put the House on notice that
ed would call for an investigate
which notice he later withdrew.
Those who voted against the
he are the following:
Birrcl!, of Alexandria; Cousins,