The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-03-08
Plan Providing That Ten Shall
Study Tax Situation In State
Finally Accepted by House
By Vote of 81 to II.
Opponents of Bill
Are Overwhelmed
kindergarten Bill Defeated.
Opponents Holding it Would
Make Nurses For Four-Year
Old Tots Necessary-Many
Local Bills Passed.

Another argument Of considerable
terdays session of the house of del
egates when the members consumed
$40 worth of the States time in de-
termining whether or not they should
hold a night session. On account or
the day being Saturday, many mem
hers were in favor of doing away with
the night session and a hot argument
occurred, which lasted thirty-five min
utes, at an average cost of "a per min
ute.
The tax commission bill, carried
over from Friday night, was then be-
fore the house. having been passed
to it's third reading and engrossment.
after having been amended to provide
for commission Of ten members in
stead of fifteen members as recon-
rnended by the house committee on
finance Although the entire day Fri
day was consumed in the discussion of
this important bill, which provides for
a commission to study the tax situa-
ton with view OF equalization and
reduction, to prepare several bills on
extra session, to be called in Noyem~
Der, fight was precipitated Saturday
morning as TO the constitutionality OF
the bill as amended.
Major Stubbs. of Gloucester took
the nopr, declaring that in all of his
long service in the general assem- bly,
had never seen any good result
from an extra session. He contended
that under section SO of the constitu-
ton. the general assembly, could not
name its members for an office which
paid a salary. He said the cost OF this
commission would be $4,000 while
$4,000 more would be expended in
the extra session. Mr.. Oliver. of Fair
fax followed the same line of Mr..
Stubs, declaring that he would not
vote for any bill prepared by this com
mission.
MFR. Weaver Yields.
Mr. Weaver chairman CT the finance
committee, was recognized. He de-
clared that he yielded to no man in
the tenacity of his views. but be-
cause he thought that one way and
another man thought the other way
there was no reason to say the other
man was not right He declared the
question Of a tax commission was net
a question OF factionahsm, but one Of
patriotism and he thought it the duty
of the house to pass the bin as amend
ed and he yielded gracefully 10 the
will of the majority. He was roundly
applauded for this stand
NJ " n II st-t-sszz
and Oliver, declaring that the way he
construed that section Of the consti-
tuition which they claimed was being
violated, the commission was not a
fixed office in any sense and could not
be looked upon as such, and further
declared: For myself. ! world vote
for a tax bill prepared by the devil.
himself. II ii was a good one."'
Mr.. Houston, OF Elizabeth City. said
that on Friday he made the fight of
his life for the larger commission. but
now that all avenues Of reconsideration
were closed. he would vote for what
the majority stood for.
Mr.. Williams. of Giles. declared that
ne was not quite convinced Of the con-
stitutionality OF the BILL but that as
he had said early in the session the
general assembly, was elected for two
thngs-one, to pass the enabling act,
and the other to reform the tax sitna-
tion--he would vote for the bill. He
warned the house that only six days
were left In which to finish the bust.
ness on the calendar and urged all
possible speed.
Brains Enough In House.
Mr. Taney. Of the city of Richmond.
took the opposite side. He declared
CONTINUED on Third Page)