The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-03-07

10 o'clock tomorrow to be voted on
at O'Clock. He declared that the
State was waiting to hear something
on this measure.
Judge williams objected but left it
to the house, as it required two
thirds vote. No action was taken In
the matter
Tax Commission Bills.
House bill No. 483. known as the
tax commission bill. providing for a
&C mmission of ten members from the
house and five from the senate, set~as
special order. was next before the
house. Mr.. Weaver. chairman of the
finance committee. moved that the
bill be voted on today. This bill pro-
vides for commission to study the
tax situation with a view to reduc-
ton. to report to a special session Of
the legislature to be called by the gov
ernor. The constitutional readings
were dispensed with to expedite bust
ness.
Mr.. Houston moved the debate be
limited to one hour and fifteen min
utes. and a vote be taken before the
chair was vacated at O'Clock. Mr..
Gordon objected. saving this was the
most important measure before the
Mr.. Houston in answer. declared that
there were only three questions be-
fore the house. and they were whether
the commission be appointed by the
general assembly or by the governor
and the number of commissioners.
The motion was carried.
The house was stopped by the ap-
pearance OF Senator Echols. who. in
the name OF the upper branch, notified
the house that the senate would not
concur on the appropriation bill and
IL was up to the house to ask for
conference. Mr.. Brewer asked that
the chair appoint a committee at once.
MIR. Brewer was appointed to notify
the senate, the house would insist
upon It's amendments and to ask
for a conference.
Mr. Weaver of Warren, made a
lengthy argument as chairman of the
finance committee, declaring every
congressional district should have rep
resentation on the commission. He
told OF the commissions in the past
and asked the house not to repeat its
former biunders.
For Commission of Seven,
Mr.. Woodward, of Norfolk, offered
an amendment providing for a COM
mission of seven, three to be appoint
ed by the speaker of the house. two
by the president of the senate. and
two by the governor. while Mr.. John
son. of Scott. offered the same as the
gentleman from Norfolk. Judge
Williams, of Giles. offered another.
providing for a commission of nine.
six to be from the house and three
from the senate. 1nnumerable minor
amendments were offered,
Mr.. Gordon. of Louisa, offered a
substitute fer the report of the finance
committee. a bill providing for COM
mission of Ave members to be appoint
ed by the governor and who will be
under his authority.
Mr.. White. of Rockbridge. came for
ward with an amendment which pro-
vided for seven members on the COM
governor and the auditor OF public
accounts, and the other five to be
appointed by the governor.
Speaking briefly, he said in this way
outside influence would be curtailed
and he favored the plan of Mr.. Field.
who wanted several bills prepared by
the commission SO that the general
assembly could take Its choice at the
extra session. Mr. ChaIkley, Of Wise.
also favored the Field plan and asked
the house to consider it carefully.
Mr.. Steck also championed the 'sev-
eral bills" plan.
For an hour tho house debated,
over half of the members taking the
floor. first on one. side then on the
other. Hot speeches and impassioned
utterances were made, and the con-
fusion grew almost to an uproar and
the speaker was kept busy rapping
for order
Mi. Gordon. in defense of his sub
stitute. declared the responsibility of
this tax reform was great and should
be placed on tho governor. as the
outcome would make or mar his ad
ministration. The hour OF 2:10
o'clock had arrived and Mr.. Gregory,
OF New Kent. moved the time for the
vote on tho bill be extended to $50
o'clock. and Mr.. Houston seconded 1t.
on account of the innumerable amend
ments offered. The utmost confusion
reigned, many members declaring the
house was rushing NpeH nell. over a
precipice, almost blindly. The mo-
ton was adopted.