The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-03-01

General would have considerable
! travelling to do.
| When the question OF the appropri-
alton of SIS, 600 for clerical service in
! the ONCE of the Secretary of the Com
monwealth came up, Mr.. Gordon said
1 that he would oppose any increases in
salary unless the chairman or some
member OF the commi tee could show
him convincingly that such action was
warranted
Mr.. Baker, of Chesterfield, thought
this a most momentous question, and
was satisfied the funds were necessary
for the proper conduct of the oince.
The large increase in automobiles had
necessitated the employment of addi-
tional clerical force and this force had
been actually at work for sometime.
Mr.. Brewer explained that the COM
mittee was simply asking the House
to legalize what had already been
done. And are we to stop the wheels
of progress ?" he asked.
Mr.. Davis, of Norfolk County, rfdi-
culed the suggestion. 'Tf this action
Is to legalize something that has been
going on, will the next Legislature be
called upon to do the same thing?"
"If the gentleman should be inform
ed that the Attorney General had al
ready said the action of the Secretary
of the Commonwealth in employing
help was legal" said Mr.. Brewer,
would he agree that this service Is
necessary"
II am not here to legalize any of
the actions of the Attorney General,
retorted Mr.. Davis. Il am here in the
interests OF the State of Virginia"
why appropriate this sum-" asked
NJ. K Lowry, of Stafford. There are
tn "A
day 1t seems to me that one clerk
could do that"
Amount Reduced to 1900.
The result of the debate was re-
duction Of the amount to $1,000.
When the Auditors department was
reached, a motion was adopted to take
up out of its order House bill No. 229,
of which Mr.. Hobson, OF Richmond
city, and Mr.. Birrell, of Alexandria,
are patrons. This bill fixed the salary
of the Auditor at $4,000, an increase
of $1,000. The bill was passed. after
considerable urging on the part of
both the patrons, by the vote OF 81 to
AZ and was sent Immediately TO the
Senate, which body adopted the bill
with an amendment fixing the increase
at $500. The House Immediately con-
Cured and the bill was sent to the
Governor.
Love Urges Economy.
Mr. Love, of Lunenburg. in depior~
ing the great expenditures OF money
dropped into poetry. and then said the
State, facing a deficit as ii does
should go slow in making appropria-
tons.
Before the vote was announced on
the motion TO take up bill No. 229,
Mr. Ramsey, of Henry, called the at
tentIon of the Speaker that there was
some electioneering" going on In the
House.
The Speaker raped the members
to their seats. and the vote was taken.
with a victory for those who favored
an increase in the salary Of the Audi
tor.
After having reached the Capitol
police" and defeated an attempt to
place the elevator men at the library
building on the same footing with
those at the Capitol building the
House adjourned TO 10 o'clock this
morning.
The appropriation bill embraces 1873
printed pages Seventeen and a half
were disposed of In three hours yes
terday At this rate. the entire bill
may be completed sometime in the
early summer.
Before the House took up the APP
preparation bill, some discussion was
INDUCED in by members upon the mo-
! ton of Mr.. Gordon to reconsider the
vote on the referendum bill.
| Mr.. Reedy objected, while Mr. Will
| lis approved the suggestion.
The measure is operative in other
States" remarked Mr.. Willis.
al I,,A 20 fha NJ
/ States" replied Mr.. Leedy IL do not
/ think they are operating under a good
/ law"
/ Does the gentlemen believe himself
greater than all the people of his
county ?' asked Mr. Gordon.
Calls It "OId DcmaRoguery."
mo. SIR" replied Mr.. Leedy IF I
were 1 would not he representing them
here. I hope the House win not yield
to this old demagoguery-this old vox
populi. We did not wish to devolve
! into a state of anarchy"
Not a sufficient number voted In