The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-03-15

aA0 a. NLo SnAoA CACSotAfc hau aSto0
he had nothing else to say In the
matter. The house. without dissent
Ing voice. refused to pass the bill over
the governors veto.
When the hour of 1870 o'clock had
arrived. Speaker Cox resigned the chair
to Mr.. Spatig, of Brunswick. and took
his seat at the clerks desk. Hill Mon
tague, of the city of Richmond. with
an elaborate silver tea service before
him. presented to the speaker from
the members of the house, made the
presentation speech.
. Mr.. Montague declared that on the
night before the general assembly con-
vened, he had the pleasure of nomi-
mating Edwin L. Cox for the speaker
ship of the house and on that occas-
sion. he had predicted that no man
would have cause for complaint on
account of unfairness. These remarks.
he said. had been fully justified, as
was shown in the love and respect the
members held for the great leader,
who had led them we'll
Presentation of Gifts.
Mr.. Cox. with emotion In his voice,
made an eloquent reply to Mr.. Monta-
que. thanking the members for their
tribute. He said that he had been in
the general assembly many years, but
he had never seen a more able, or a
more hard working body than the
house of delegates of 1914. One would
only have to look on the statute books
he said to verify this statement.
On behalf of the clerks of the house
Fred Birrel. delegate from Alexan-
dria, presented the speaker with sill
yer spoon OF exquisite workmanship.
Mr. Birreli was formerly a clerk In
tho house and he declared he knew of
no one who was more aNe 60 speak
FROM clerks standpoint than himself
for he understood the relationship be-
tween the clerks of the body and the
speaker.
Mr. Cox answered in turn. paying
a high tribute to the clerks for the
manner in which they had accom-
plished their work and their faithful
performance of their duties. He also
paid Clerk John Williams a high com
pliment.
The incident that seemed 10 touch
the speaker more than anything else.
was the presentation by the pages of
the house. of a beautiful set OF silver
knives and forks. julien Gum, of
Henrico. with all of his natural eio-
quence lent glamor TO, the occasion
with his brief speech for the pages
He declared that Speaker Cox had been
weighed In the balance by the great
est judges of human nature, the boys.
and found not wanting. and this WAS
more than words could say for him. He
said that in the secrecy Of their hall.
the boys had planned the present and
had forthwith carried out their designs
Both the crowded floor and gallery
ahplauded.
Mr. Cox could scarcely speak. With
his eyes shining with emotion he
thanked the pages. who justly proud Of
their feat. stood at the front OF the
49, 4. i
piauded the speaker and the boys
Mr.. Pennington. of Lee. with the
eloquenee Of the great Southwest.
which claims John Williams. clerk of
The house of delegates as one of her
sons. presented Colonel Williams with
a silver chatting dish, given by the
members of the house. Mr. Penning-
son made AN able speech in behalf of
the house. extolllng the virtues OF the
chief clerk and his labor in the in
tereSt of the State He told of the
great love that each and every MEM
Der had for the recent appointee OF
Governor Stuart as member of hts
staff aud the house cheered to the
echo. si
Clerk, ar rather Colonel, Williams
was equal TO the occasion and made
an excellent reply, thanking the nenl-
beers, telling of their excellent work
and thanking them for their assistance
ana cooperation.
Aubrey 6. Weaver. of Warren. then
presented Clerk Williams with g. sill
ver set from the other clerks of the
house. with an eloquent address and
q gain MIR. Williams made reply. lie
WIS roundly appiauded.
Harry X, Houston made the speech
of the day when he presented Enrol
ling Clerk George Lindsey with an
umbrella on the part of the mem
s4~ hn III r Ion fa7H'
eloquence and wit is well known, but
on yesterday he outdld himself and
kept the house IN paroXisms Of laugh
ter Both he ana Mr., Lindsey were
given an ovation.
Then followed In rapid succession
the presentations OF umbrellas To the
sergeant alarms. Mr. Johnson. by
Mr.. Stephenson. Of Bath, Assistant
Doorkeeper Mr.. Trusow. by Mr.. Hef-
iin of Prince George For the men,
bers of the house, Mr.. Smith, of Gull
pepper. presented Colonel Newhouse.
doorkeeper OF the lower branch of
the general assembly, with a hand
some travelling bag. Both the mem
hers and the recipients made speeches.
which were roundly cheered. Mr..
Stearnes, of Roanoke, for the com
mittee on schools and colleges. pre-
/ scented Mr.. Love. of Lunenburg, chair
man of the committee, with a pair
I or gold cum buttons. IhlS Was Qone,
said the speaker, for the able assist
lance rendered. by the chairman in the
passage of The Duke-Grasty bill. plac-
ing the normal schools under one
board. This bill, the speaker de-
clared, was the greatest piece of con-
structive legislation OF the session. Mr.
Philpot, of Henry, presented DR..
Kent OF Halifax, chairman OF the
committee on counties, cities and
towns, with handsome token from
the committee for his work on that
committee.
While the presentations were being
made the members made merry. A
basket of candy was passed around
and each member filled his hands with
sweets, and bombarded the gallery
which was filled with ladies. and. as
one member remarked. it was sweets
to the sweet. The chair was not
vacated until O'Clock.
The afternoon session convened at
o'clock and the entire session was
given over to the passage OF local
bills.
Night Session.
+ The following resolutions were Of
fered:
BY Mr.. Weaver: BE 1t resolved
by the house of delegates that we ex-