Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-01-21
W|THDRAWS
CAUCUS PETITION
Staunton Senator Will Not Sit
With Democrats in Shaping
Legislation.
FOR COMPULSORY EDUCATION
Superintendent Stearnes Out
lines His Position on Pending
Bills Before Joint Committees.


eating committee on tho quality of
Senator Jordan's Democracy. a state
ment from the Staunton Senator. In
which he withdrew his petition to en-
ter the Democratic caucus. was read
last night before that body by Scna-
tor West. OF NanSemond. II had hecn
reported for several days that Senator
Jordan would probably take this action
In view OF tho fact that the committee
was almost unanimous in its belief that
he had forfeited his right 10 sit in the
councils OF the party.
Senator Jordan's statement was as
follows
Finding that to enter the Senate
caucus might impose, By Implication.
obligations that I cannot conscientious
l. assume. I desire to withdraw my ap-
plication to enter the caucus"
The Staunton Senator. who did not
enter the primary. ran as an indepen-
dent Democrat against w. III. Landes
the regular nominee OF the party. de-
feating him by a majority OF nearly
600. Chatrmen of the Democratic COM
nittees in his senatorial district testi-
fed before tho Investigating committee
dacy with them sixty days prior to the
primary IS required by law, and that.
as an independent candidate. he align
ed himself with the Republicans OF the
district. On several occasions too they
said. he had failed TO support the nomi-
nee Of the party.
JORDAN SAYS PRIMARY
LAW is DEFECTIVE
Senator Jordan's defense was that he
entered the race in response 10 petit
tion OF moro than 1000 voters Of the
district. and that he had no idea of
offering himself for the office until that
petition was handed him only few
days before the primary. lie did not
feel hound. he said. by the operation OF
4 law with such an obvious defect
that OF forcing a man to declare his
intention five months before the gen
| cral election-and felt that lie had re-
| nounced none of his Democracy in TAX
ing the position he did.
| The investigating committee was
composed OF Senator Wenden burg
chairman; Senator's West. Saunders
Addison and Downing.
| Senator West announced to the eau
Gus that Senator Royal. OF Tazewell.
| had been nominated by the steering
committee TO become a member or The
| Finance Committee from the minority
| party. The nomination was approved
| 10y the caucus.
| STnoDE-hDDIsONn BILL. NOT
| APPROVED Br PROHInTrI0NISrs
| The General Assembly gossipcd with
| avidity over the rift In tho prohibition
Y tntr t,.,,,
| of the Strodc- Addison bin which un-
| dertalScs 10 prescribe in some detail
| the Machinery for carrying out the will
OF the people as indicated by their
| overwhelming ratification of the en-
abling act.
| From authoritative sources ii was
! learned yesterday that the strobe .ld-
| olson bill has been characterized by
at least ono leader hish in the councIis
OF tho Anti Saloon League as a measure
| drafted without consultation with tn.
! rciSninG spirits OF this organization
| and the members OF tho General AS
scmbly closest in touch with it's poll
| cics, In view OF these circumstances
it appears probable thnt the bill will
be rejected IN whole or in part by the
prohibition majority of the two houses.
The principal point OF diffcrenc" is
on tho question of what authority shall
be intrustrd with the duty OF securing
An adequate enforcement OF tho prohi-
hitiun statutes To be enacted. The
STROBE Addison hill looks to the en-
forcement Of tho law through the Gov
ernor and the policing and legal ma
chinery under his direction while the
Anti-Saloon League. and therefore, pre-
lsumahly. the prohibition majority In
the Legislature. will espousc the Gre
alton OF special officer for this pur-
pose--a commission of moral welfare
elected b. the General Assembly
STEARNES FAvORS ADEQUATE
), COMPULSORY EDUCATION LAW
I An adequate compulsory education
law. applying to children sound in mind
and body, who can neither read nor
write and who have no private means
OF receiving an elementary education.
was strongly urged yesterday after
noon by state Superintendent Stearnes
before joint session Of the Senate
Committee on Public Institutions and
; Education and the House Committee
5 or Schools and Colleges.
Superintendent Stearnes also urged
tho necessity OF increased revenue for
:, carrying OF the work OF the public
schools of the state. suggesting to the
joint committee that the hest way 10
\ meet that demand would be to raise
the school levy from 10 to 60 cents OF,
the sl0o. Despite the fact, he said, that
the Legislature had. from year 10 Year
increased the appropriation for school
purposes. the amount Of revenue per
j, capita had materially dwindled owing
to a natural increase in school enroll
ment.
The compulsory education bill super
, intendent Stearnes indorses is now be-
ing drafted in accordance with the
views Of the department. and will be
introduced shortly in both branches OF
,, the General Assembly.
, SHOULD Isl; STATEWIDE
/, IN IT'S APPLICATION
r II will not he in the form OF n refer.