The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-02-24
Here and There.
in the Legislature

IT'S all over. We've locked the door
ana thrown the key away. sal Col.
onel Richard l.. Brewer, Jr.. member OF
the House of Delegates from SUFFOLK
and chairman OF the House Appro-
priations Committee Coicn.l Ercwer
a load "f from Mn0 h n' tGa
and heaved sign OF relief az he ex-
planned:
APPROPRIATIONS Committee this after
noon. and reported the appropriation
hili. IFS up 10 the House now" Clerk
Edgar Hrdderly Will deliver the final
copy TO the printer this morning. Col
onei Brewer said that as soon as mem
bers had had time TO look 1t over he
and continuing order In the House.
probably Tor Monday. Both House and
Scnatc bills are conservative papers.
win no attempts at new legislation un-
der the Su.sr Of app.op. Items.
and while there are some differences
tina; may DC made the subject OF con
believed there can be 4 ready give and
take. The Senate has already passed
its bill. and the House viii probably
dispose OF the matter. conference and
all, next week. Both Chairman Brewer
IN the House and Chairman Echols in
ihc senate have expressed the hope
that the matter can DC arranged To
suit all parties, and the bill passed al
an early date, and certainly that they
VIII be able TO avoid conditions little
short Of a scandal at some former ses-
sions. when the appropriation bill has
been rushed through on the last night
tof the session, amid confusion wo. Sc
conioundcd, and with no member know
ing what he was voting for. This was
thc case in 1905 and 1910 but the 1912
tors. by adjourning early In the day on
the final day of the session. with the
appropriation bin well out OF the way.
thus avoiding, tho Wild scramble which
I has marked some closing nights, when
everybody tried TO get something. and
i not even the clerk knew what WAS be-
ing voted on, gave by the number of
the bill
Colonel Brewer claims to hayH tn the
though the House door leader does not
see ii that way. Judge Williams got
quite hot in the collar yesterday when
the Committee on Privileges and Elec-
tions to report on certain matters. He
| indicated that II the committee OF
which he is chairman were to be treat
ed that way, he would resign The chair
manship. The phrase is not an unusual
one. and the Appropriations Committee
all this session. The committee was
INSTRUCTED" By House resolution be-
fore reporting any appropriation Dill 70
obtain from all departments and !nsti-
tutions a schedule of their demands
showing what moneys have been asked
for by institutions and also an Item
lied statement of the amounts appro-
with it's Instructions. said Colonel
Brewer last niBht.
John S. Parsons. o. Accomac County,
recently appointed by Governor STUART
as Go OF, Of Hisheries' TO p sue
mond last night. and was warmly
greeted by members of the General As
| sembiy from his section of the state
ne will take the oath OF office to-day,
| and will assume the duties OF his posi-
| ton with the new Commission OF Fish
cries on March /.
The House. Committee on privileges
and Elections has reported favorably
to the state Constitution. looking to
| writing into the body of that document
| provision for an initiative and refer.
close study to the subject, and has com
pared the laws OF many States. He is
| convinced that under the present Con-
| stitution, which vests the lawmak!ng
power In the General Assembly, there
| may be no referendum save on amend
ments TO the CONSTITUTION In me man
| There are a number of resolutions
looking to amendments to the state
Constitution pending as Joint resolu-
have to lay over for. two years. and
have to be introduced and adopted at
| the next regular session and then are
| submitted 10 n vote of the people.
| 1t was explained last night by Chair
man Brewer. OF the House Appropria-
| lions Committee, that because Of some
curiousIy worded State laws. the APP
propriation bill does not by any means
| represent the total OF State expendi-
lures. A great many departments have
been provided with special taxes which
| go to them direct, and are not made
| part of the record Of State appropria- :
| tons For instance. the Department Of
| agriculture receives large annual sums
cial taxes go directly to the military
fund. and are expended by tho Adju-
| 'erives n direct revenue from the sale
| II certain books and State publications.
| he Commission OF Fisheries Is support
cd nv an oyster tax. and there Is pro-
! -ided by direct levy OF 10 cents or
100 of real and personal property s.
pecial income for the support OF thu
ublic schools, which greatly exceeds
The amount given by tho State by d.