The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-01-27
SENATE GETS step on
SCHOOL ATTENDANCE

voses to Submit Constitutional Amend
1nent Giving Legislature More
Power In Control OF Education.
Senator Walker. president pro tenn
pore Of the senate. presided in that
body yesterday, Lieutenant
Eiiyson being detained at his home
by reason OF illness The session
lasted only an hour and n quarter.
yet in tina. time bills on the calendar
were passed or advanced in their
positions. making them within reach
the statute books.
Ono of the measures which re-
oeived the approval OF the upper
branch of the legislature was that
which prevents public service corpo-
rations from dissoiving of their own
free wifi without regard to the well
fare OF the public. The bill was that
OF which Senator Cannon Is patron.
and provides that public service cor
porztfons shall give thirty days no.
tlcs TO the general public of inten-
tion to apply for dissolution, shall
have public hearing. and all per-
sons have a right TO intervene and to
become parties to the hearing. II
the corporation commission shall de-
tsrmine that n dissolution 10 warrant
ed BY presentation of the facts,
that no rem edy by increase Of rates
win relieve the financial conditions.
then It may grant such order. but
the granting of such order carrier
with the right OF any party OF record
IN the harinx to appeal to the su-
prsRna court OF Virginia
Compulsory Educafion.
Senator MathswB proposed an
amendment to the constitution. al.
lowing the legislature TO prescribe
when children of school age shall be
forced to attend school and for how
long. was reached on the calendar
This amendment gives the Legislature
tree rein In the making Of such laws
as to II may be deemed proper and
wise This amendment was agreed 20
and now goes to the house, and IL
agreed to there will be submitted 20
the people for their approval and
then adopted by the legislature. 80
that at least two years will intervene
before the cha nge is effective. There
were only one or two votes cast
against the measure In the senate.
ENN FSf6 w E1&GFH%
genatcr Mathews came to the front
with bill which has as its object
the right Of the city Of Norfolk to
prevent the depredstions Of fortune
tsfisrs. ciairvoyants. palmists and
seers from operating in that section.
The state law at this time provides
that each band of gypsfes entering
the state and engaging I'm this bust
ness shall paw q license tar Of 5000.
Confusion has arisen as To whether
this fee IN not intended TO be in lieu
of anv other fee or license. Ths
bill AFFECTS cities Of 5000 and more.
no that Richmond and Norfolk only
would be concerned. The bill en-
powers the cities to enact ordinances
prohibiting absolutely this fraud on
the general public. and It may be that
the demand will come from other
parts OF the state to make the law
general In its application.
Raise Buttons pay.
Statement was made on the floor OF
the senate that the bill TO increase
the salary OF the insurance commits
sioner was in recognition of faithful
and efficient service, the increase Of
$500 a year being paid by the fees
of the Insurance. companies doing
business In Virginia, The state does
not have TO pay q cent OF the salary
and all tho insurance companies were
agreeable 70 the scheme Senator
Andrews chsmpioned the bill, and in
reply 20 A question propounded by
Senator Quinn, who wanted to know
rs II not a fact that Colonsi But
ton has recently assumed additional
liability ard the reply OF Senator
Andrews that he understood that the
N.e - al
dis'onal liability. either one or two.
This was in reference 20 the recent
marrfaxe of Colonel Button to a
handsome young widow of this city.
The bill WAS passed, only Senator
Israyatt, of Caroline, voting In the
negative. and she for reasons that he
Eave---shat he favored q state budget
for all purposes and was not for In
dfviduai increases in pay OF stste Of
Hcers.
-~~.>-,'.,-- Tn With Norfolk.
senator Mathews called up and ha q
nj. 90. u.4t amending the char
ter OF the city of Norfolk He said
that it was an emergency measure,
that an election would soon be held
ara that ~ avs imperative that the
bin be passed TO conform to the re-
~. Of the laws guvernins
HuCh xnMtTSE&- TIE S%NhHF CSltESu
tn. member from Norfolk by aus
pending the rules and then passing
the bill
Take a Holiday.
According to report around the
capitol the general assembly will take
a recess from Thursday afternoon I'll
Monday morning. This means a. loss
OF one day from business. On Fri
ia the Inauguration OF the new gov
ernor will take place. and Saturday
win be half holiday Many OF the
members OF both branches win he
able to leave here Thursday after
noon and spend the days followine
attending to their private affairs a nd
sseing their families and be back
hero Monday morning after all this
FUSS and hurrah In over. The session
OF Friday will be constructive only
and no business could or would be
attempted. For this reason the pro.
tect to take one day or is meeting
with favor.
HOUSE IS BUSY
WITH LOCAL BILLS