The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-01-22
THE SENATE


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That tl1s rules of the Senate of vir-
ginia, which have been in force and
effect for many years. are satisfac-
tory to the ma jority of the members
became evident yesterday. when tht
Senate by an overwhelming vote de-
clined TO adopt AN amendment sug-
gested by Senator STROBE, of Amherst
Senator STROBE, on the opening day
OF the session, proposed TO ohahes
the rule. No. e. which deals with the
vote required to take a bill up OUT
of its order. For many years the
rule has stipulated that two-thirds OF
the members elected to the senate
must vote in the affirmative ana tnat
the vote shall be recorded IN inc
Journal of the Senate.
The change proposed by Senator
Strobe was to make a majority com-
petent to determine such questions.
He held that 1t was not right that
a minority could sit In Judgment ana
defeat a bill by refusing to let II De
taken up for consideration. AT TINS
time one-third of the members car
control the enactment of measures
to which they are opposed. lhus
twenty-five members might support
and favor measure, yet fourteen
could step In and prevent the taxing
up OF the bill out of It's order.
Senator Walker, of NorthuHpet
land. saw no reason for changing the
rules. In fact, he did not hesitate
to say that If the rules were rigidly
adhered to that very much more
would be accomplished than by sus-
pending them in order to accommo-
date feIlow-members. |More harm
had been done by suspendins the
rules, said he, than could nave peeh
done in not suspending them. AT
orderly procedure attention to busl-
ness. consideration of the calendar
and reading of the bills would save
time and permit the enactment OF
measures far more readily imam 'ne
changing of the rules so "a TO permit
more latitude In disposing of measures.
He was for a stricter adherence W 'i'o
rules as they stood.
Continuing Senator Walker said
that there had never been session
of the Legislature In his experience
when a great mass of bills were not
allowed to die in the closing hours
II had always been so, and he pre-
sumed 1t would always be so. 1t could
not be avoided.
The Committee on Rules had re-
ported adversely on the proposition
Of Senator STROBE. and when II was
submitted to the Senate the amend
ment was rejected by most decisive
vote.
Poll Tax Payments.
Senator Mathews, of Norfolk, pre-
sented bill which. if it become a
law, will radically change the method
of payment of poll taxes by voters
Il will prevent any person from pay
ing the taxes of another at any time
under any circumstances, and VIII
provide for the giving of full inror-
nation OF the payments made, ny
whom. when. by what method. and
the dates and for what number OF
years. Clearly the bill is aimed at
preventing the padding of poll lists
or enabling payments to be made ny
persons who may hope to get the
benefit of such assistance. The lists
of voters will be posted thirty days
prior to elections.
Treasurers and clerks in ONCE oil
treasurers are required to give full
and complete information, and viola
tions of any of the provisions OF the
act are made misdemeanors, and pun
ishable with heavy fines.
MIR. Eilyson. Colonel Button.
President Ellyson was back in the
Senate yesterday. having been called
| away on Thursday to New York. He
presided in the Senate. and Colone
| Joseph Button, Insurance Commits
| sioner n former clerk of the Senate
IN the absence OF Clerk o. V. Hanger
presided at the desk. being as much
| at home as when he held the offict
| years ago.
Senator Hening. OF Goochland, II
one of the patrons of the roller-towe
! bin offered on Thursday. Along witt
! Senator Cannon, he is ready to MAKE
! war on that old-time butt of man,
| jokes. and will fight to have the bill
| made a law.
The session of the Senate lasted jus
I an hour. the usual flow of bills GOV
ering a wide range OF subjects beint
presented and referred.
Favor Morals commissioner.
Members of the Senate, while the,
have not yet considered the subjec'
with that care which would permit
| their open declaration of position or
| the subject, incline to the naming o.
a commissioner to have charge of the
social and moral legislation which /.
| certain to be enacted at this session
! There are some, however, who sa,
/ they do not see the necessity for pro
viding for any such office or officer
| They have not made up their minds
OF course and are really open to con
viction on the subject. If the actua
need for the officer Is shown. there
are few who win oppose it.
Frankly, some of the men who
voted against the enabling act. declare
! that they are ready to support what
ever the Anti-Saloon League may ask
! The issue was referred to the people
and they expressed their views. There
Is no question on that score, they say
and the proper thing to do is to give
! them free hand and to let them see
that the law is enforced.
| Would Relieve the Governor.
Some of the senators say that they
| do not see why the Governor should
| be given an additional burden, GER.
| tainly one OF the magnitude that this
new law will impose. Each session
of the Legislature adds to his duties
he Is hard worked, and the inaugu
! ration of the new system means man.
long hours of hard work in all part'
of the State.
7 Taken all together, the sentiment
in the Senate. If the matter were tc
| be decided at once, lis strong for thu
| creation of the Office of commissions
to insure the effective operations o!
the law in every part of the State.
II GIN TT DU c