Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-03-09
SCHOOL-TAX LEVY
CAUSES DEBATE
Both Houses of General Assem-
bly, Rcconvene to Complete
Tax Systems.
SENATE MAKES PROGRESS
Oliver Amendments, Limiting
Levy for Education, Meet
With Defeat

More than seventy Of the 100 men,
bers OF the House OF Delegates and a
larger proportion of the membership
OF tho State Senate might have an
swercd tho roll calls yesterday morn
ing when the Legislature reassembled
for the nrst poat-recess session The
patriotic majority. however. was di-
vided by misrepresentation as to tho
hour for resum!ng the special .ession
Hence. only sixty delegates were IN
their seats at 10 o'clock. when Speaker
Edwin p. Co1's Bavel fell. The Sen
ate was better favored. Fully 20 per
cent OF thnt body responded when the
roll was called. shortly before the noon
hour.
The day began with an exceedingly
roscatc prospect for speedy action on
the batch OF tax bills prepared by the
joint Committee during the three
weeks recess. Lowering clouds. how
ever. drifted over tho horizon Of the
House later In the day. when the sec-
ond of the bills speeding 10 its seem
!ngly assured passage WAS challenged.
and a long and animated debate was
prccipitated which continued without
surcease through the afternoon session.
SCHOOL TAX LEVY
CAUSE OF LONG DEBATE
The first snag encountered in the
channel that had been charted by
the Joint committee. marking out the
course for the House. was Senate bin
a. This measure was one OF two com
panion bills dealing with the school
tax levies specifying and enumcrating
what are schoo! funds Delegate Wal
ter T. oliver, OF Halifax. made an in
eGectuRl attempt TO amend the new b!l
so hs to restrict the school tax lcy.ies
TO the present maximum OF 50 cents
on the 500
The contest over the measure began
after Senate bill 20. relating TO the
approximate apportionment and dis
bursement OF State school funds. had
passed. To that time II looked as II
the passage OF the batch OF tax bills
would be delayed by nothing beyond
The ere roll ,,,,s2 ssuss and other p"rllamen,ary
House bills 81 and SIS were dismissed
because their provisions were covered
by Senate bills House bill "A was
passed by. Most Of the committees
were discharged from further consid-
Grafton OF the measures that had been
referred TO them when introduced II
looked like plain and smooth sailing
Il Then appeared Delegate oliver, plant
Ing in The channel series OF mines IN
the form OF amendments to Senate bill
al. that threatened to send that meas
ure down to Davy Jones's locker
AFTERNOON SESSION
SPENT IN WRANGLING
The trouble started almost at the
opening of the afternoon session
which began at o'clock Speaker Cox
left the chair TO participate In the
skirmishinE. In his place. Guy T.
Horner. who wants TO be chairman OF
the Democratic caucus next session
presided for time, and later lie be-
came absorbed In the spirited engage
Inent In progress, and surrendered the
chair 10 another appointee OF the
Speaker. Delegate g. H. Lowe of
l.unenburg, author OF the Roots of
Rrutus" speech made in advocacy OF
reimposing the old license tax on prac-
ticing physicians.
The bill that delayed the House pro-
vided for an additional tax Of 10 cents
on tho s1o0 OF all real and personal
property for the maintenance or pri-
mary and grammar schools. not en-
bracinG the high schools.
Hugh a. White. of Rock bridge who
had offered AN amendment; Delegate
W. NJ. Myers. OF Richmond, and
Speaker Cox entered into 4 discussion
OF the constitutional character OF the
bill
If this bill attempts to make levy
II is clearly UNCONSTITUTIONAL said
Mr.. White. Speaker Cox directed at
tention to the fact that the measure
proposed an additional tax on rolling
stock, which is segregated to the state
OLIVER SAYS BILL PUTS
BURDEN On COUNTRY
The real reason for this bill" said
Delegate Oliver, has never been ex-
blamed. l will explain it 10 you. This
Sill allows a levy OF mills on the
for county and mills for town,
hereby doubling the school tax in the
ountry districts. while the big rich
itics escape. That is what you are
.yinS 20 put on us In the country
istricts with your bill. | will never
gree to dumping the levy for local
chool purposes on my county or any
:ther county in the State.
Section 1876 OF the Constitution au
rorizes the raising OF additional sums
pr school funds not exceeding mills
n the 81. 1t is the object OF this bill
. double the school levy in every
ounty. But the cities will not be af
..cted
Il have offered three amendments to
he Dill, restoring to it the provisions
the existing law. My conception of
lr duty with this bill is that we make
conform with the present statute
nat Is what the joint committee was
structcd by the Legislature to do, as
understood II. That's all / am ask-
:g YOU to do with the bill.
The Constitution prescrIhes the eS-
tnt or the levy for schools. Yet we
.e asked to do something that is in
,nhict with the Constitution. why, in
" County OF Fairfax we are violating
Continued on Third Page)