Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-03-12
HOUSE AFTERNOON
SESSION

The greater part OF the afternoon ses-
sion of the House was consumed by de-
bate and action on the motion CT Dele
gate Kent, of Fairfax. to reconsider :he
vote by which Senate bill IL. the meas
urc authorizing county supervisors 20
levy an additional school TAX, was -e-
,cct,d. The motion to recongi.lc- failed.
Preceding tn, debate. Clerk John w.
Williams read To- the House the state
mcnt submitted by Delegate Powell. in
reply TO the resolution adopted Wedncs-
day, calling upon him TO present evil
dence to sustain the charges he had
made against Judge Chichester, Of the
Fifteenth Circuit, The paper was re-
fcrred 10 the Committee on Courts of
Justice.
Speaking TO the motion TO reconsider
the vote by which the school levy bill
was rejected, Hugh y. White said that
the object OF the bill was TO provide
against the losses certain school dis
tricts may suffer by segregation.
He said there was some doubt as to
whether the Constitution limits the
school levy to 80 cents: that there was
case pending in the Supreme Court
involving the question.
Judge Gregory asked: Isn't il n fact
that YOU are trying TO levy this addi-
tional school tax on All tangible and
intangible property"
Mr.. White replied that the objection
stated by Judge Gregory had been re-
moved. certain corrections having been
made.
OLIVER SAYS STATE
OFFICIALS ARE LOBBYING
Mr.. oliver. OF Fairfax said that an
effort had been made by certain per-
sons to convey the Impression that he
and other members who opposed the bill
were inimical 10 the advancement of
the states schools. He desired to en-
pha,icaUy deny il. and recalled that he
had himself served as a teacher in the
public schools for some years. lie con-
tinucd:
Mr.. Speaker. I regret. in connection
with the pending BILL to say that l have
seen a state official come on the floor
of this house and attempt privately to
influence the members"
Mr.. Oliver did not call Superintendent
of Public instruction II. G. Stearnes by
name. but the identity OF the officer to
whom he referred was known to all Of
the members of the House.
Mr.. Gordon, of Louisa. argued against
the passage of the bill. He said he
thought the House should refuse to pass
the measure because 1t remains TO be
determined by the Supreme Court Of the
State whether or not the 50-cent limit is
valid or invalid. He was opposed to
proceeding to enact into law bill that
might be later declared unconstitu-
tional. He pleaded with the House to
let the bill go over to the next Legis-
lature.
The motion TO reconsider the vote was
then put and lost by vote of 40 to 81
FRANCHISE TAX on
RAILROADS INCREASED
Delegate o. l.. Stearaes, OF Roanoke
County, renewed his effort to have
the tax on public service corporations
/ increased. He obtained consent to call
up an amendment to House hill mo
that had been passed by in his absence,
imposing n tax of IL per cent on
gross earnings, and argued with great
animation for his amendment
lie said the State of Ohio was now
taxing the railroads ~. per cent THE
returns Virginia is getting from the
railroads. for the privileges given them
is so small that 1t is ridiculous to con-
template said Mr. Stearnes.
lie said that there was too much
legislation for tho heneft Of the rich
corporations and too little for the re-
lief Of the poor individual citizen.
II have seen too much Of 1t even
at this session of the legislature" he
added.
He told OF what he termed the enor-
nous earnings of the Norfolk and
Western Railroad. This road had
something like $4,000 to throw to
the dogs last year. after spending many
roillions for improvements" he said.
There's the Washington-Southe a
little road. but II Is gold mine Tho
Richmond, Fredericksburg and Po-
tomac Is another It's shameful, tho
wealth they are rolling up mt the ex-
pcnsc of tho poor taxpayers OF Vir-
Einia.
RILI. Is ADOPTED ny
HOUSE AS AMENDED
II believe in being generous with