Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-02-01
THE HOUSE

day by the House OF Delegates. there
vii! be no secret voting in committees
"a; this session. The resolution was in
troduccd early in the session by Dele
gate Gordon, Of Louisa. providing in
it's original form also for the aboli-
ton of all executive sessions 1t was
reported yesterday by the Committee
on Rules with a substitute which al
lows any committee to go into cxccu-
tive session to expedite business, but
requires it to serve notice when Il vote
on any pending measure Is to be TAX en-.
such vote To be taken always III open
session.
Delegate Gordon accepted the sub
stitute. and it was carried without a
dissenting voice. In tho past II has
been the practice OF committees to de-
clare executive sessions at their con-
vcnicncc and to Withhold the vote by
which Il bill WAS reported or held. when.
III their judgment. this was adviSh bic.
The resolution is designed To give every
member. as we'll AS the general public.
the right Ia be present and watch the
vote on any measure.
Delegate Lowry. of Bedford. offered
a resolution, which was unanimously
carried. calling upon the Secretary of
Military Records to file with the House
OF Delegates. as soon as practicable. a
report showing the duties imposed upon
him by his Office. what has been done
towards carrying out the purposes for
which the Office was created and how
long Ii will take To complete the work
assigned to this Office. Mr.. Lowry OK
planned that 1t Was his purpos" in offer
ing tho resolution TO establish tho use
fulncss of this Office and the necessity
for It's continuance.
Unexpected opposition developed when
Chairman Brewer of the Appropriation
Committee, submitted resolution au-
thorizing the Speaker 10 appoint an
additional page 10 act as assistant door
keeper. While no provision for this
officer is made in the rules. he has
been appointed regularly for the past
several sessions. II was pointed out
that the extra doorkccper was needed
for tho proper convenience Of tho mem
bcrs. and the resolution was passed by
a vote OF 81 to 49,
Delegate Willis introduced rcsolu-
tion memorial!zinS Congress to enact
Legislation looking TO the prevention
OF the annual Mississippi foods It was
referred 70 the Committee on Federal
Relations and Resolutions
The House passed Senate bills No.
80 and No 81, on the calendar on their
/ third reading. The bills were intro
duced In the upper branch by Senator
/ Thornton, OF Fairfax. and are designed
10 mitigate the punishment melted ont
"E courts 10 convicted persons who
have previously been convicted OF
fclonies anywhere III the United States
The present law requires the Judge to
add five years on the second conviction
IN addition 10 the sentence imposed for
tho new ofcnse. and 10 impose a life
sentence upon the third conviction for
a felony.
The bills amend the law so as TO
leave II within the discretion OF the
"a
ties or not An amendment incor-
porated ut the suggestion OF Delegate
Gordon leaves this matter 10 the dis
erection Of the court cor jury" An
other amcndme nt. offered By Delegate
Murray. repeats much Of the pres
cnt law as conflicts with the pro-
visions OF the pill.
Upon the motion of Delegate willis
the patron. the House recommitted the
'blue-sky" bill. designed TO protec. the
public against bcin., victimized By fake
companies marketing worthless securi-
ties The Bill contained sweeping pro-
visions which. II was feared. might
nut 10 grave Inconvenience companies
engaged In legitimate business and. in
Difference To opposition from this
source. II was recommtted for proper
amendment
Delegate Winston withdrew his bill
providing for an increase in the salary
! Charities and Corrections from $4,000
TO $500. The bill. which was on IT'S
second reading. was thereupon dis
missed from the calendar
Resides Senate bills No 50 and No
81, the House passed Senate hill No. Go
20 refund money improperly collected
from the Pocahontas Consolidated Col
lieries Company and paid into the
Treasury of the State
The following House bills on their
third reading. were passed and go now
10 the Senate for concurrence:
No. ll2. 10 amend the charter OF Dan
VILE. Patron. Delegate Green
/ No. ll3. TO prohibit the killing OF
deer in the Counties of Bath and High
land for the term Of five years Patron.
/ Delegate Stephenson
! No. 49, 10 change the name OF Sedrv
Creek {" Perrin River. Patron, Dele
gate Bristow
| No. lis. TO change the name OF Poro-
noiank Creek 10 Poropotank River.
! Patron, Delegate Bristow
| No. IL. amending the charter of the
city OF Covington. Patron. Delegate
Goodwin.
! No. 1l9, to amend the charter of tbe
town OK Phocbus. Patron, Delegate
Houston.