The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-02-17

forthcoming bill have not been made
that is, 4 new measure drawn by the
subcommittee and offered as subst!-
tute for all OF the bills referred. 1t
was stated yesterday that the Senate
and House subcommittces were In full
accord in the matter, and that there
was every prospect of the early report
ing OF real primary law, which will
be accepted by those who fought this
form of Legislation at tho last session,
and which viii satisfy the demands of
the public OF tho State for legisla-
ton safeguarding primary elections
While still in subcommittee, tho gem
erai committees have been informed Of
each step taken, and have thoroughly
discussed each of the details.
The House and Senate Committees on
Counties. Cities and Towns will make
n visit to Newport News to-day In con-
nection with tho Wendenburg- Gum
antiannexation bill There Is n general
law on the subject of annexation of ter
ritory to cities. and the Constitution
forbids private or special Legislation on
this subject. To block tho proposed
annexation OF territory to Richmond
the Henrico delegates offered u bill,
amending the general law by inserting
the provision that not more than %
per cent of tho taxable values of any
county may be annexed to city at
one time, and that after such annex
alton there shall be no further enlarge
ment OF the corporate limits for Ave
years. number OF votes had been
secured for the bill when 1t was dis
covered that In its operation 1t would
seriously bar the growth OF Newport
News. Immediately adjoining the
ant.
the Chesapeake and Ohio terminal and
piers. the coal piers right at the present
city limits having valuation of more
than % per cent OF the entire values I'm
Warwick County. 1t Is claimed, there
fore, that the bill would cffectuaIly
block the growth OF Newport News In
that direction. and charges have been
made in committee that tho bill Is sup
ported by railroad interests, which wish
TO avoid the higher rate of taxation IL
the corporate limits. cithor OF New
port News or of Richmond are extended
Delegate Thomas b. Robertson Offer
ed joint resolution, amending the
State Constitution as to tho qualifica-
zion for voting. cutting tho require
ment as to payment of poll taxes from
three years to two years, and reducing
the time such taxes must be paid be-
fore the election from six months to
three months.
Delegate Mectze offered general bill
for the muZzling OF all dogs. except
when accompanied by their owners, or
kept on private premises. An excep-
ton is made In the case OF dogs en-
gagged In hunting
An extended hearing was held yes
terday afternoon on the bill raising the
age Of consent TO eighteen years. and
the matter was referred to subcom-
mittee.
Judge Joseph L. Kelly OF the Cor
poration Court OF Bristol, who was re-
Gently elected by the General Assembly
to the Supreme Court OF Appeals of
Virginin, and who Will take his seat
when Judge John A. buchanan rctires
on February l, 1915. was In Richmond
last night. and was warmly greeted
by many friends from Southwest vir-
ginia in the Legislature. Judge Kelly
will call on the Governor and other
State officials to-day.
The House Committee on General
Laws held an extended hearing yestcr-
day afternoon on the stream pollu-
ton bill, which has been a bone of con-
tention for several sessions. No final
action was taken. 1t is charged that
certain manufacturing plants, especial
iy certain very large paper mills at
Corington, arc dumping obnoxious
waste matter, containing certain acids
and coloring substances, into the river
AS a result. IL Is charged. fish have
practically deserted the streams so mol
luted. and the cities which have to use
such streams for their water supply
are put to great Inconvenience
Advocates of the bill claim that by
a simple ana comparatively inexpen-
sive installation OF septic tanks ut tho
mills all such waste matter could be
rendered harmless. The mills are
fighting tho bill on the ground that
II will tend seriously to handicap n
growing industry, which should have
all the encouragement the state can
give 1t.
Within the noxt dsr or two a bill
will be offered by Delegate Hugh a.
White making the State Law conform
to the new amendment to the Federal
Constitution rs to popular election OF
United States Senators. The most inn
portant provision to be made is in the
clause giving the Governor the power
to flll vacancies, such appointces to
serve until the next regular general
election. Since tho Seventeenth amend
ment TO the Constitution of the United
states was proclaimed. vacancies have
occurred IN the senate from several
States, and serious complications have
arisen as to the seating or Senators
from Alabama. Maryland and other
States. Mr.. White has consulted At.
torney-General Pollard. who Is examin-
ing the statutes OF States which have
already acted In this matter.
The bill will repeal the present
State statute providing for the cleo
ton of United States Senators by tho
General Assembly, and substitutes
legal machinery for the election OF
Senators by the people. 1t also en-
pressly delegates to the Governor the
power to fill vacancies, and to issue
writs Of election when vacancies occur.
.such special elections to MI vacancies
to be held on the day of the next sue
cseding general election, the Governor