The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-02-05
LIVE DISCUSSIONS
!. keep HOUSE GOING
ONE BILL PASSED. SEVENTEEN no
THIRD READING AND
NEW PRESENTED.
ATTORNEYS DIVIDED
TAKE SIDES IN DISCUSSING BILL
RELATIVE TO sUITs-NEw
TAX MEASURE BY MR.
BREWER.
ATTORNEYS DIVIDED

The passage Of one bill, the ad-
vancing of seventeen bills to their
third reading, much squabbling and
the Introduction of many measures
was the business transacted In the
house OF delegates yesterday. -
bill patroned by Mr.. Stephenson.
of Bath county. amending and re-
enacting section S211 Of the code of
Virginia, relative to suits, brought
forth hot discussion which occu-
pied much OF the time. 1t was a
drawn issue between the attorneys in
the house.
An amendment offered by Mr. Eas-
ley, the gist of which provided that
TO bring suit against railroad 1t
would be practically necessary to
enter the suit in the city in which
the head Offices were located, was the
center Of discussion.
Numerous members took the floor
in hot debate, declaring that 1t was
distinct provision in favor OF the
coiorattons IN the wallis and that he
defended his position. declaring that
he did not represent any railroad or
amy other corporation, that he intro
dHced his amendment purely for what
he thought the good OF the State at
large. The amendment. however, was
lost by a heavy majority.
For Repairs at Mansion.
Mr.. Milstead, of Newport News, Of
fered resolution to appropriate
money TO make repairs necessary in
the governors mansion. He sad .hat
he had attended the reception Mon
day night and had noticed many dis
colorations in tn ewalls and that he
offered the resolution merely as an
instrument to call the attention of
the general assembly TO these de-
ficiencies.
Shortly after the house convened
recess was u ken to allow the speak
err 10 sign the bill passed yesterday
reappropriating $4,000. the unex-
pended balance. for the erection of
memorials on the battlefield OF Get
tysburg. This money was re-appro-
priated to prevent its lapsing back into
the treasury. The bill was duly
signed and sent 10 the governor for
his signature.
Following in their course several
members offered bills. some of which
are important to the State at large
ed "A measure to prescribe the tax
rate on land and improvements and
tangible personal property and intan-
CHILE personal property except money.
for State purposes This rate. ac-
cording TO the provisions of the bill.
begins February ]. 1915. and each
year thereafter, and Is reduced from
IS cents to 80 cents.
The bill provides that on land and
improvements and tangible personal
property shall be assessed s cents on
the 500 for the expenses of the gov
eminent and State debt, 10 cents on
the 500 for the public free schools
and cents on the sI0o for the pay
ment of pensions. On intangible per-
sonal property the tax rate of 80 cents
on the 500 shall be assessed. 20 cents
for the expenses Of the government
and the State debt. and 10 cents for
the public free schools. This bill is
an important move. and 1t is expected
will precipitate a hot fight on the floor
OF the house.
Protect Railway Crossings.
Messrs. MeetZe. Robertson and
Norris. to protect the railroad cross
ings Of the State. Introduced bill
requiring all railroads. operating In
the State of Virginia 10 provide safety
devices at all grade crossings and TO
properly guard the same by placing
waite men to warn those attempting
10 cross of the approach of train.
The bill provides a heavy penalty for
a violation of this act
In order TO foster the dentistry OF
the State. Mr., White. OF Rockbridge.
introduced a measure defining den
tistrs and regulating the practice OF
same and repeating former laws on
this important subject II is said that
under the present laws dental students
have to pass regular surgeons ex-
animation as well as dental before
procuring their licenses. This 1t is
claimed is driving many of the dental
students from the State. and Ii Is to
prevent this that Mr.. White intro
duced his bill
For Two Pay Days Month.
Wife desertion bills are flooding the
house OF delegates. each member
seeming to have pet solution OF the
problem. Another came into the
channels Of legislation yesterday. pro-
V1ding for heavy ,fine and sentence
on the convict road force for the de-
0ertion OF wife and children.
"A bill which will interest the en-
ployes of railroads and other busi-
ness interests, which disburse their
pay rolls only once a month. was In
troduced by D. l.. Toney. delegate
from the CITY OF Richmond Mr..
Toney would make II a law that each
such cnrporation or business should
pay their employees at least twice a
month. and that such payments shall
be made In lawful money instead OF
By checks.
The bill passed by the house fol-
lows:
House bill to amend section IL OF
an act entitled an act to establish
a State highway commission to define
its powers and duties: the term OF
ONCE. salary and qualifications of the
commissioner. to authorize tho COM
missioner to call into consultation the
professors OF engineering in certain
state institutions. and appropriasing
money to carry the provisions Of this
act into effect, approved March s
1905.