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

The last of the important bills for
which the victorious administration
forces in the General Assembly con-
tended, the general license tax measure.
was passed by the House 1T the morn
Ing session yesterday. Action on tho
bin was preceded by debate on the
many amendments. almost half a hun
drcd In all. which extended through
, three hours.
Al the opening of the session the
House entered upon the election OF Il
| successor to the late John b. Moon
as Il member OF the West Virginia
virginia Debt Commission. D. H. Pitts,
OF Aibcmarlc. was nominated by Major
j. y. Stubbs. OF Gloucester. The nomi-
mating speech OF Major Stubs was a
brilliant oratorical effort and a grace
raj tribute to the member from Albe-
marie. MIR. Pitts was elected by a
unanimous vote. after several member 8
delivered complimentary speeches, eulo-
giving the nominee
Most of the numerous amendment Is
proposed 10 the license tax bin We're
rejected. Delegate K. Lindsay Gordon,
OF Louisa, made u forceful and vigorous
speech in advocacy Of his amendment.
| Increasing the tax on merchant pur-
chascs Of over 100000 from 10 cents
on the 800 TO 20 cents. The amend :
mcnt, however, was defeated
The Gordon amendment. striking out
the clause excmptin2 lawyers doing a
brokerage business from the definition
| of stock brokers" was likewise re-
jcc;cd
B"iepatc l. T.. Spatig. Of Brunswick,
succeeded in pcrsuadlng the House 10
adoIi the amendment increasing the
license tax on vendors Of patent or
proprietary medicines from $50 to $3.50.
! The member from Brunswick contended
against strong opposition, but carried
his point at the end OF the long strug-
gle.
Delegate Field made an earnest argu
mcnt for an increase IN the license tax
on these vendors. but he consid ID
800 sufficient tax. Delegate Oliver
argued for placing the patent medicine
vendors In the pcddlers' class. Mr..
PITTS was for placing tax on the
vendors that would virtually put them
out OF business. After several amend :
ments had been voted down, the Spatig
amendment was accepted
Delegate Spessard secured tho adop-
I ION OF MS amendment by which the
! license on summer hotels and resorts
y similar character. which kept
/ open for business not more than four
months In tn" year, 81 fixed at one-half
th. regular hotel license.
House REFUSES TO TAX
SALE OF HARD CIDER
Delegate ". 4. Land made hard
fight TO get through his amendment
5la cing tax on the sale Of cider. put =
! Ding 1t on the same basis as other soft
/ irinEs. Delegate Page. OF Albcmarle.
and others opposed the Land amend
ment vigorously, and II was anally re-
icc,cd
, Hugh \. White. OF Rockbridge. with
drew his amendment striking out the
emergency clause from the bin.
Captain W. Myers, OF Richmond Sc
cured the adoption OF an amendmen nj
allowing a reduction from merchants
capital. for purposes OF taxation, OF
! the accounts due for merchandise pur-
chased
, Mr.. divers amendment affecting
! book agents and other solicitors for
| manufacturers and jobbing houses was
| lost. no quorum voting. The Oliver
amendment affecting licenses on eating
! horse In the country districts was de-
{ !ei.ted. The Daniel amendment affect
ing the sale of fertilizers. and the
Myers amendment increasing tbs
/ license tax on Cyps!es and other stroll
( Ing fortune tellcrs from s200 TO $500
/ suffered the same fate.
Z The license tax bill was then put OF
It's passage, and passed By a vote OF
= - 10 il.
/ Following the morning session the
! members OF the House proceeded &C
/ the portico OF the Capitol. where they
we're Joined by Governor Stuart, and
Z the body was photoSra