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

4
in q resolution, asked that an inves.
tigation Of the awarding of certain
contracts be made and furnished cer-
tain information in regard to the food
contracts of the Eastern state hospital
This resolution was referred to the
appropriations committee.
The Morning Session.
The house was called to orde.
promptly at 10 o'clock. After the cal
endar was announced, Mr.. Willis. nj
Roanoke. introduced resolution spro-
viding that no member, during the re-
miindcr of the session. be allowed g
speak over five minutes to any aues
| ton. This attempt to cut off debatc
when so many important measures are
pending. was warmly discussed The
resolution was adopted by vote OF
SO to .. but on the motion to re-
consider the vote Messrs. Oliver, OF
Fairfax, and Meetze of Prince William
warmly protested against 1t, declaring
| it was disgraceful not to allow de-
bate on the appropriation bill.
| However. the house refused to re-
consider and the resolution was
adopted.
! The footnotes added to numerous
bills by tho Hobbies that have infested
the capitol, in their attempts to de-
feat legislation. brought forth reso-
luton by Mr.. Grasty. of Augusta, ask
ing for COMMITTEES of five to inves-
| tigate the origin of the footnotes and
report to the house in ten days.
The Foofuotes Resolution.
The text of the resolution is as fol-
| lows:
Whereas II has come to the atten-
! ton Of the members of the house tina.
the following footnote was added oy
or al the instigation of an unknown
person or persons to house bill AIS
! "'Wire or write at once your mem
! Der of house and senator to defeat
above bill. which is, in my opinion. an
entering wedge TO disturb all treas
urers.'
whereas the following footnote was
/ added by or at the instigation of All
unknown person or persons to house
bl' ,26:
"'Eead this bill carefully II you
do not approve Ii, wire or write your
representative at once tNote to house
bill $3.50
Whereas tho practice of adding
| footnotes to bills by or at the insti-
| cation OF an unknown person or pei 8
sens. for the apparent pnrposeaof de-
feating such bills, Is one mott calen-
| lated TO reflect credit on the depart
p1ent of public printing. or any other
le,artent or persons: and
the people and the press are strong
In their condemnation of said prac-
uce; therefore. be II
Resolved, That committee OF FIVE
n enbers of this mouse be appointed
by the speaker TO make a thorough
| Investigation of the matter. and 10
r port the result OF their findings TO
this house within ten days"
Practice II Condemned.
The footnotes asking for the defeat
OF certain measures were attached to
bona fide bills pending in the legisla
ture by unknown persons and have
caused much uneasiness in the capitol.
These bills. II was declared. were for
outside distribution. but many found
their way into the files OF the mem
bers.
Mr.. Montague. Of Richmond. took the
floor declaring the strong condemna-
ton Of the practice was enough with
out an investigation and moved to
strike out that section of the resoiu-
ton calling for an investigating COM
mittee. The resolution RS a whole,
however. was referred to the committee
on printing.
Mr. Pennington, OF Lee. offered a
resolution condemning the auditors re-
port in which certain counties were de-
signated paupers. or counties which
drew more money from the State
treasury than they put in. Mr.. PEN
ninrton warmly attached the auditor
for making what he called an unjust
and misleading report The resolution
was referred to the nnance committee.
Investigate Contracts.
Another resolution providing for an
investigation was introduced by Mr..
Toney. of the city OF Richmond. The
cry pa that view of
the fact that certain contracts had
been awarded by State institutions 10
the highest bidders instead of 10 the
lowest bidders. the awarding of these
contracts should he investigated and
the findings should be reported to
the house. The resolution was re-
ferred TO the appropriation commit
tee.
Mr.. White. OF Rockbridge. was rec
ogntzed and in a brief talk announced
that on "Wednesday morning he would
call UP before the house, to be voted
upon, his joint resolution amending
the constitution granting the initia-
tive and referendum to the citizens of
Virginia. Mr.. White said he made
the announcement In order TO give
the members a chance to review the
resolution and be prepared on We'd
nesday.
The calendar was called at II
o'clock and the Confederate pension
bill was again before the house. The
pending question on the adoption of
the amendment to the bill was called
Saturday afternoon, but was not
voted on. SO 1t was the first business
before the house yesterday.
An effort was made to reconsider
the vote by which the pending cues
ton was called in order further
amendments might be offered. The
house, however, refused to reconsider
and the bill passed the amendable
stage.
The amendments offered Saturday
were then before the house. For
more than two hours the house
wrangled and voted on the adoption
OF amendments tending to increase
the amount included in the bill.
In almost every case where an in
crease was provided that amendment
was accepted and the hope of a
peaceful discussion OF the appropria-
ton bill faded.
Money State Couldn't Afford.
Judge Martin Williams. floor lead
err of the majority. repeatedly warned
the members they were overstepping
the bounds and were giving money
the State could not afford but yes
terday was old soldiers day and OBJ
jections counted for nothing. 1t was
little less than panicky run to help