Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1914-03-16

WORK ACCOMPLISHED.
Former Speaker Asserts Session Of
Legislature Just Closed Was Most
Important in Years.

Richmond, Va. March 16.-Richard
Evelyn Byrd, former Speaker of the
House Of Delegates came to the front
yesterday as the strong champion oil
the General Assembly. In an inter
view, MIR. Byrd said that the session
just closed was, in the number Of
big measures adopted, the most i'm
portant in years He takes the
ground that the public should not
condemn members for not working
when they have worked hard ana
enacted laws of far-rcaching valuS.
"I think there has been great
Zeal of unjust and utterly uncal!ed-
for criticism of this General As
semoiy,' 'said Mr.. Byrd.
"This is unfortunate for two Tea-
sons. First, it dissatisfes the people
of Virginia with their governmental
system; second, it is unfair to the
Individual members, because it tends
to destroy the confidence Of the con-
fstituencies in their representatives,
and encourages too frequent changes.
.It is unjust to charge the mem
bers OF the General Assembly with
the defects Of an institution for when
they are not responsible, and which
was imposed upon Their by the Con-
stitntion. The session is limited to
sixty days. a.lEG the mere grinding OF
the machinery of legislation takes up
"a large part of that time, leaving
very little time for discussion. The
+ charge that the General Assembly
id not work is unfounded. The av-
,erare nan does not know that every
hill must be considered by the COM
Imittees of both houses before it can
ret on the calendar of either. So that
for the first forty days Of the session
the Assembly is busy not in general
session. but through its committees.
Il is a tremendous task TO consider
ard sift 1,400 bills.
after the task has been perform
ed, the reported bills go to the cal
pndar, and discussion and action are
transferred to the flu! bocles. WI!
should members of the House be
i'abusad for discussing these bills! A
legislature is essentially q deliberat-
i've BODY. and the right Of discussion
,;s vital IF the members discuses:3 a
bill ttsv are accused Of being hot
! air artists, and if they passed Dill
without discussion they are accused OF
hasty and ill-considered legislation
The fact is that the average person
mel Of both House ard Senate is OF a
very high order.
| In the House there were about SIN
! +v-Gve new men, and they had tc
| learn, While they were learning th'
very force and individuality OF IaS
members inclined them to assertloi
and discussion. There is much Valu
able material among those new me!
(which should not be lost to the oO@'
bv he injurious effect of unwafraht
ed criticism.
! "sneakcr Cox presided with dig
nitv AMI force. and his management
during the last week is worthy OF tn
highest praise. 1t gives me pleaSuf
10 saw that this General Assembly ma
done more important work than al.
assembly which has cone under m.
personal observations. can CIT
, twelve acts which, whether we agre
with their purpose or. not, we mus
: concede to be of the highest import
: ance: 1) the enabling act; (2) tn
: tax commission; t3) the codificstie
rIact; GA the rolling stock apportlon
Z. rent; (5) the, fee bill; (6) an i'm
e proved primary law; % am improV
4 ed child-!abor law; (S) 2n options
4 death or life Imprisonment sentence
(9) the legislative reference bureau
:. | l0) the general normal college
board; (11l the factory inspectio
act; 12) the JUDGES compensate
5 ac...
: 81 think the General AssembI
d should have the thanks, not the cor
: s,r--..ct::on. cf The State"